A FOOTBALL FAN has been found guilty of assaulting a football steward with an inflatable shark.

Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard that Kenneth Meech, 51, of Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, assaulted Barnet steward Cgagi Gladyng while celebrating his club’s 3-1 win in a Conference game on 21 February.

Meech, who was among nearly 1,000 fans who travelled to The Hive stadium, had denied a charge of common assault.

Earlier this year, he admitted he and other Grimsby fans had taken inflatable objects to the game “in support” of another fan Bryan Winship who was ejected from the ground during a game with Forest Green Rovers in a row over a giant inflatable football.

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph in February, Meech said:

“I was down at the front celebrating the winning goal and everyone surged forward. I got picked out by the steward and I was then pulled out of the crowd.

“I did not show any physical violence whatsoever.

“You can imagine what it is like when they score a late goal like that – it’s like England versus Germany.”

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