Brighton man, 20, given three-year Football Banning Order

A 20-year-old man from Brighton has been given a three-year Football Banning Order, Sussex Police has said.

The force applied for the order against Ellis Bonner, of Ringmer Close, Brighton. Brighton Magistrates’ Court imposed it on Wednesday 21 October 2026, and Sussex Police published its release on Monday 2 November.

Police say the order was not made in relation to a specific crime. It followed months of intelligence gathering about what officers describe as repeated antisocial behaviour at a number of locations.

What police say he did

Sussex Police gave four examples of what it says Mr Bonner was involved in this year. It says the list is not complete.

10 January: Police say he was part of a group involved in antisocial behaviour, inappropriate chants and train fare evasion when Worthing FC travelled to Salisbury.

8 February: Police say he shouted obscenities at away fans after Brighton and Hove Albion’s home game against Crystal Palace. The release adds that he did not have an official match ticket for the game.

21 March: Police say he goaded Milton Keynes fans on the day of their match against Barnet.

28 March: Police say he threw a can at a fan after Worthing’s match at Enfield Town.

Dedicated football officer PC Sam Smith said:

These are just a small number of examples of incidents Bonner has been involved in since the start of 2026. It is clear he plays an influential role in groups who actively seek to confront, goad and engage in verbal or physical violence against other fans.

He added that this kind of behaviour puts a significant strain on emergency services, affects local communities, businesses and the public, and damages the reputation of genuine fans who simply want to support their team. He said the force applied for the order “to prevent him from engaging in violence and disorder” and to send a message that the behaviour will not be tolerated.

What the order stops him doing

The order lasts three years. According to Sussex Police, it prohibits Mr Bonner from:

Worthing home matches: Entering Worthing town and the area around the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Woodside Road on any weekend when Worthing FC have a home match, from four hours before kick-off until six hours after the game ends.

Barnet home matches: Entering Barnet and the area around the Hive Stadium on Camrose Avenue on any weekend when Barnet FC have a home match, on the same four-hour and six-hour times.

Worthing and Barnet away matches: Entering any town or city in the UK on a day when Worthing FC or Barnet FC are playing there, from four hours before kick-off until four hours after the match ends.

England matches: Entering any town or city in the UK on a day when the England senior men’s team are playing there, from eight hours before kick-off until eight hours after the match ends.

Euro 2028: Going within three miles of the centre spot of the stadium for regulated international matches in England, Wales or Scotland during the 2028 European Championships, from four hours before kick-off until six hours after the scheduled kick-off time. Sussex Police’s release says this applies when England, Wales or Scotland are not playing.

What we still do not know

The release does not say whether Mr Bonner attended the hearing, whether he has said anything about the order, or what penalty applies if the order is breached.

ImJustBrighton asked Sussex Police for the release on 4 November and was directed to the force’s media centre. This article is based on that release. We will update it if more information is confirmed.

Source: Sussex Police, “Man, 20, given three-year Football Banning Order”, 2 November 2026.