Key Points
- A man from Altrincham, Anthony Brown, 48, is among 16 men who face violent disorder charges following a football-related disorder in Manchester, dated 24 September 2024.
- The Greater Manchester Police made the announcement of the charges on 10 November 2026, which was more than two years after the incident.
- Anthony Brown, whose address is Overdale, Bonville Road, Altrincham, faces charges alongside other 15 men from Greater Manchester.
- It is said that the incident occurred prior to a match between Manchester United and FC Twente at the Old Trafford.
- The GM Police had stated in December 2024 that police arrested 10 suspected high-risk football supporters in what was said to be a targeted, widespread fight in Lower Broughton, Salford.
- It is not clear yet whether the 16 men charged on 10 November 2026 were part of that earlier investigation.
- All 16 men have been released on bail and expected to make an appearance at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 January 2027.
Altrincham (Manchester Mirror) November 2026 – An Altrincham man is among 16 men charged with violent disorder following an alleged football-related incident in Manchester more than two years ago, Greater Manchester Police has confirmed.
Anthony Brown, 48, of Overdale, Bonville Road, Altrincham, has been charged in connection with an incident alleged to have taken place on 24 September 2024. Greater Manchester Police said the 16 men charged are from across Greater Manchester and have all been released on bail ahead of a court appearance in January 2027.
As reported by Altrincham Today, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Brown is charged alongside Karl Anderson, Stefan Bezzina, George Boylin, John Catterall, Conor Cornforth, Jay Cornforth, Harry Ellison, Jon Goulden, Robert Kompus, Mark Massey, Dino McLeod, Ryan O’Keefe, Callum Santos, Ethan Thorndyke and Steven Wark. The force said the alleged incident occurred before a football fixture in Manchester.
What are the allegations?
The men face one charge of violent disorder each in connection with the alleged incident on 24 September 2024. Greater Manchester Police has not released further details about the allegations, and the force has not confirmed whether the latest charges form part of its earlier investigation into disorder in Lower Broughton, Salford.
According to Altrincham Today, the alleged incident took place the day before Manchester United’s Europa League fixture against Dutch side FC Twente at Old Trafford. The Manchester Evening News also reported that the unrest was said to have occurred ahead of the match between Manchester United and FC Twente, which was scheduled for the following day.
No convictions have been recorded in relation to the charges announced on 10 November 2026. The defendants are due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 January 2027.
Who has been charged?
The 16 men charged with violent disorder are:
- Karl Anderson, 38, of Woodward Street, Manchester.
- Stefan Bezzina, 36, of Talbot Road, Hyde.
- George Boylin, 32, of Brattice Drive, Swinton.
- Anthony Brown, 48, of Overdale, Bonville Road, Altrincham.
- John Catterall, 48, of Meadowside Avenue, Irlam.
- Conor Cornforth, 35, of Ashton Old Road, Beswick.
- Jay Cornforth, 30, of Mayton Street, Openshaw.
- Harry Ellison, 29, of Samouth Close, Miles Platting.
- Jon Goulden, 47, of Windsor Road, Newton Heath.
- Robert Kompus, 32, of Eva Street, Leigh.
- Mark Massey, 66, of Hardman Street, Milnrow.
- Dino McLeod, 26, of Poolfield Close, Radcliffe.
- Ryan O’Keefe, 41, of Thirlmere Drive, Middleton.
- Callum Santos, 24, of Thornton Avenue, Audenshaw.
- Ethan Thorndyke, 22, of Sheringham Drive, Swinton.
- Steven Wark, 56, of Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne.
As reported by the Bury Times, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that all 16 men have been charged with violent disorder and are due before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 4 January 2027. The Leigh Journal likewise reported that Robert Kompus, 32, of Eva Street, Leigh, was among those charged in connection with the alleged incident.
What did police say previously?
In December 2024, Greater Manchester Police announced that officers had arrested 10 suspected high-risk football supporters following what the force described as a targeted and organised large-scale fight in Lower Broughton, Salford, on 24 September. The force said those involved had subsequently headed towards Manchester city centre.
The earlier announcement came after the alleged disorder on the day before Manchester United’s Europa League match against FC Twente. However, Greater Manchester Police has not confirmed that the 16 charges announced on 10 November 2026 are connected to that same investigation.
The Oldham Chronicle reported that the charges relate to an incident on 24 September 2024 and listed the same 16 defendants, including Anthony Brown of Altrincham. The report also stated that all 16 men are on bail and are due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 January 2027.
What happens next?
The case is next due before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 4 January 2027. At that stage, the court is expected to consider the charges and the next steps in the proceedings.
Greater Manchester Police has said that no further details regarding the allegations have been released at this stage. The force has also not confirmed any link between the 16 charges and the 10 arrests announced in December 2024.
Background of the development
The alleged disorder occurred on 24 September 2024, before a Manchester United Europa League fixture against FC Twente at Old Trafford. In December 2024, Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested 10 suspected high-risk football supporters following a reported large-scale fight in Lower Broughton, Salford, and said those involved had then headed towards Manchester city centre.
More than two years later, Greater Manchester Police announced on 10 November 2026 that 16 men had been charged with violent disorder in connection with the alleged incident. The charges concern an alleged offence and do not establish guilt; the defendants are due to answer the allegations before magistrates in January 2027.
Prediction: what it means for local residents
For Altrincham residents and football supporters, the development is likely to keep attention on how Greater Manchester Police handles alleged disorder connected to major fixtures. The case is not due in court until January 2027, meaning further procedural hearings and potentially further public information may follow.
For the defendants and their families, the immediate effect is a pending criminal case: all 16 men remain on bail and are required to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court. For the wider community, the outcome will depend on the evidence presented in court; until then, the allegations remain unproven and the men are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
