A CRACKDOWN on football hooligans in the wake of the violence that marred Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup match in the Czech Republic is starting to pay off.

The man in charge of rounding up the thugs who clashed with Czech fans claims it has led to a definite decline in organised match day violence.

Detective Sergeant Ian Fawcett, of Cleveland Police's football banning unit, said: "The orders are definitely having an effect on organised disorder and they are making match days a lot safer for fans."

Another three hooligans were given football banning orders totalling nine years when they appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Lee Rutter, 25, of Lockton Crescent, Thornaby, handed himself in after his picture appeared in the media in an attempt to identify troublemakers at the Banik Ostrava match in September last year.

He was banned from attending games in the UK or abroad for three years.

Stephen Maurice Catchpole, 35, of Fairfield Avenue, Middlesbrough, accepted he was caught on camera during the disturbance at the beginning of the cup tie. He was also involved in organised violence that erupted in Hull before a pre-season friendly.

Catchpole, who accepted the order by letter without appearing in court, was given a three-year ban from football grounds.

Steven Thomas Wrigglesworth, 34, of Park Avenue, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, also accepted the banning order by letter after being caught at the centre of the fighting at the game in the Czech Republic. He was also banned from attending matches for three years.