Six Darlington fans were appearing before York magistrates today, accused of being drunk as they tried to get into their team's match against York City on Saturday.

Supt John Lacy, of York police, said officers arrested the fans outside the ground for allegedly breaching the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act.

The legislation was brought in on the recommendations of the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster, to prevent fans getting inside football grounds while drunk, and police were determined to rigorously enforce the law.

He said a York fan was also arrested inside Bootham Crescent for a similar alleged offence.

Supt Lacy said 40 police officers, along with 40 club stewards, attended the game, which attracted 2,400 Darlington supporters among a 5,300 strong crowd. There was no disorder, he stressed.

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