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Leeds United hooligan Aaron Cawley devastated over football ban

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Friday, October 26, 2012
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Gloucestershire Echo

FOOTBALL thug Aaron Cawley is said to be "devastated" after being sent to jail and slapped with a lifetime ban from his beloved Leeds United.

The 21-year-old's family has spoken exclusively to the Echo after he ran onto the pitch and assaulted goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during last week's Yorkshire derby – causing outrage among millions of TV viewers.

  1. Aaron Cawley

    Aaron Cawley

  2. Leeds United manager Neil Warnock

    Leeds United manager Neil Warnock

Cawley was this week sentenced to four months in prison for the assault which left Sheffield Wednesday keeper Kirkland sprawled on the turf, needing medical attention.

But worst of all, say his family, is the fact that Leeds United – the club he has supported since childhood – has turned its back on him, banning him from setting foot inside its Elland Road ground ever again. Speaking at the family's Hester's Way home, a relative said Cawley had been left "gutted" by the sanction.

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"Aaron is devastated about what happened," said the man, who asked to remain anonymous.

"But he has said he is sorry. He has apologised to both clubs, and now he is going to do his time. I have spoken to him and he is doing okay.

"He is obviously banned from going to Leeds matches for the rest of his life, which he is gutted about.

"But what you saw on TV is not normally like him. Aaron is a good lad and the guys he was with at the match are decent lads too. It was just the amount of alcohol he had. He is genuinely sorry."

A court heard this week that Cawley was too drunk to remember his actions in the clash on Friday night after drinking strong lager, vodka, and up to 10 pints of cider.

Footage from Sky Sports captured him dealing Kirkland a two-handed blow to the face then run back to the stands, grinning from ear to ear, before disappearing among the fans.

He was arrested in Tewkesbury nearly two days later and swiftly taken to court, where he admitted assault and entering the field of play illegally.

The family member said the sentence given was out of proportion with the crime.

"Four months is a lot for giving someone a slap," he said.

"It wouldn't be so serious if it happened in a factory or in any other workplace in the country. But because it was on TV and so many people were watching they made an example of him."

The family member added they all wanted to put the incident behind them, saying: "As a family we just want to draw a line under the whole thing.

"We're not proud of what happened, but we won't hide away from it either."

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  • Profile image for timmy0811

    by timmy0811

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 2:18PM

    “Here is another Idea for Crawley. Stop supporting Leads they are **** and once you understand that then you will have been rehabilitated.”

  • Profile image for paul813

    by paul813

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 12:30PM

    “here is another idea,what about making him work every weekend for nothing!!big man i could mention a few places where if he tried that he would never ever watch a football match again ,he was prob a bully at school picking on someone who was not likely to fight back, its a pity he never drunk a few more pints and jumped into the the wrong supporters stands,leeds utd dont want you supporting them anymore people like you do nothing for a club apart from giving them a bad name ,you need to stick to wine gums or milk .

    ,”

  • Profile image for Russtb

    by Russtb

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 11:10AM

    “Here's an idea, how about he stands in the middle of the pitch at the next TV scheduled Leeds match, the crowd is nothing but silent, then out of the tunnel comes Chris Kirkland..... with a shovel... and smacks him in the face! that will be justice served i think!”

  • Profile image for bobhoughton

    by bobhoughton

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 8:04AM

    “From the comments made by his family, it would appear that this was not just the action of someone who was drunk - by the way, if you are going to watch the team you love so much, why would you drink yourself into oblivion beforehand ? - but the action of someone who has been brought up by people who think this kind of thing is normal and funny. Out of character ? Aaron is a good lad ? Probably, in this kind of family, he is considered to be a good lad. The club is better of without him and he will probably start supporting someone else, get out of his skull before every game with his lovely friends and do the same thing somewhere else. Not just thick as a brick but thoroughly objectionable.”

  • Profile image for HuckiePhil

    by HuckiePhil

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 7:30AM

    “Here's a thought Aaron.

    When you get out write to Leeds, the FA and the goalie and apologise, and tell them that for all your previous faults and errors, this really has changed you. Also say that you are going to ensure you never get smashed again, never get in trouble with the law again, and that to prove your genuine change of heart you are going to get a job and stay clean - and if you can't get a job (or even if you can) you'll also do some sort of regular, ongoing additional charity/community work (which would help you get a job anyway).

    Then do it for, say, two years, keeping a detailed diary of your success, and after that appeal the various bans upon you on the basis of your reformation. I bet there's a strong possibility you'd be readmitted into the football world. In fact, I'll bet you £500 - because £500 says you won't do it, but even if you do, and the bans are upheld, I'll give you the £500 myself.

    Not keen enough on the game or your team to do this - this, just the normal behaviour of anyone in society anyway? Then stay away from all football grounds and let the genuine supporters enjoy their sport.”

  • Profile image for stfc06

    by stfc06

    Saturday, October 27 2012, 12:03AM

    “what an ass hole....never ever should he be allowed anywhere near a football pitch again. Scum!!”

  • Profile image for softtabor

    by softtabor

    Friday, October 26 2012, 7:16PM

    “I've just heard that those lovely people at Hillsborough are going to do the same as Newcastle and are seeking a private prosecution of this criminal for compensation and towards any fine that the FA charge Leeds. I do hope his family "won't run away from paying it" !”

  • Profile image for zalapompadoo

    by zalapompadoo

    Friday, October 26 2012, 6:41PM

    “how would he like it if someone came up and slapped him across the face, it would i want compo and lots of for all the stress i have been caused ,one day he will hit the wrong person at the wrong time and the other will hit back hard”

  • Profile image for FreeRadical1

    by FreeRadical1

    Friday, October 26 2012, 4:00PM

    “35 comments. That's why TiG ran this story. The more users they get on the website, the more they can charge for the website adverts, which is practically the only way that Gloucestershire Media makes money now.”

  • Profile image for dcfc79

    by dcfc79

    Friday, October 26 2012, 3:57PM

    “He can't be that bright doing it on LIVE tv, he was going to get caught.”

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