Pubs ban footy yob who mocked Bradley Lowery – as he’s kicked off sports teams
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A football yob who used a photo of Bradley Lowery to taunt rival fans could be barred from every pub in his village.
Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton sparked fury online when he held up an image of the six-year-old Sunderland mascot, who died from cancer in 2017. Houghton, 31, from Rotherham, today admitted a public order offence in relation to his "utterly deplorable" behaviour during the 3-0 home defeat at Hillsborough.
And now Daily Star Sport can reveal that as well as losing his job and facing a possible jail sentence, the disgraced window fitter has been shunned by his community – having been kicked off football and cricket teams in the village of Wickersley, and told he's "not welcome" at local boozers.
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Houghton was pictured laughing in the stands on Saturday (September 30), disrespecting the memory of Bradley, whose plucky spirit endeared himself to the nation and made him a firm friend with footballer Jermain Defoe. The yob's actions were slammed by the teams he represented: Sunday league outfit Joker Wickersley Youth CC, based at The Joker pub, and Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club.
In a statement the Blades Super Draw Premier Division side said: "Joker Wickersley Youth CC, Wickersley OVCC, our committee, players and all involved with the club do not condone the behaviour of the people in question in any way, shape or form. The player has been banned from playing for us indefinitely."
The football club also said Houghton had been banned from the pub the team is based at, adding: "The player was de-registered from our club instantly as soon as we were made aware of the sickening behaviour by both ourselves and the league. All we can do is apologise for the distress this has caused to so many people."
A member of Wickersley OVCC told Daily Star Sport that Houghton had also been "removed" from the ECB Premier League side. And staff at The Masons Arms in Wickersley revealed he was no longer welcome at their premises – with the possibility of a further ban excluding him from pubs across the area.
One pub worker said: "He's no longer welcome here at the Masons Arms and I believe at the next Pubwatch meeting, going forward I'm pretty sure it will be brought up in that – he might not be allowed in pubs in the Wickersley area."
Houghton was arrested alongside a second man, 27, who was released on bail. Houghton appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court this morning (Monday, October 2), when he pleaded guilty, and was told police would be applying for a football banning order against him.
District Judge James Gould told him "your actions are utterly deplorable," adding that all sentence options were available next month, including time in prison. The judge also ordered Houghton to attend a drug intervention programme.
Sunderland fan Bradley suffered from the rare cancer neuroblastoma. Having captured the hearts of fans everywhere, he died after forming a bond with star striker Defoe and even walking England out at Wembley.
Sheffield Wednesday slammed Houghton's "outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour" and apologised for the "undoubted distress caused to Bradley's family and friends". Other Owls fans have raised nearly £20,000 for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Bradley's mum Gemma Lowery today branded Houghton's actions "unforgivable". In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said the image was "not just disrespectful to Bradley, but also to other people who are going through the emotional trauma of dealing with cancer".
She said: "This image portrays negatively. I feel upset that these two men used this image to get a reaction from Sunderland fans. It was unforgivable. I have nothing but loving memories of Bradley."
Houghton's lawyer said he felt "disgusted" by his own behaviour. The court heard he described his actions as "enjoyable banter" that "went too far" during a police interview and that he'd tested positive for cocaine after his arrest.
- Pubs
- Cancer
- Championship
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