TWO yobs have been banned from Southend United games for a total of eight years.

Police have warned trouble will not be tolerated at Roots Hall and are seeking to keep hooligans at least three quarters of a mile away from the ground on match days, and out of pubs and clubs in the town centre for four hours either side of the game.

Louis Hall, 19, was banned for three years from any Southend match, after goading Gillingham supporters after the home game on Friday, October 30.

Two groups of fans were on opposing platforms at Prittlewell railway station at about 10pm, when they started swearing at each other.

Bob Rowlingson, prosecuting at Southend Magistrates’ Court, said Hall was caught by a police dog handler, who saw him causing problems on the platform.

He said: “He saw Mr Hall making hand gestures towards the Gillingham supporters, and also using abusive language towards them.

“There were other members of the public in the area at the time.”

Hall, of Elizabeth Road, Southend, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words and behaviour. He was also ordered to pay a £67 fine, £90 costs, and a £15 victim surcharge.

In a separate court case, Phillip McGill, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff, has been banned from any Southend United game for five years.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court for breaching a previous three-year football banning order, which he had been given in January 2007.