A tearaway father-of-two who was appointed ‘community captain’ for Premier League team Everton has been barred from the club’s games for three years after he was convicted of football hooliganism offences.
Ex-jailbird Matheau Eyre, 24, was given the award last year after the troubled club’s charity said it had helped him ‘turn his life around’ and recognised him for being an ‘inspiration’ and ‘fantastic role model’ to youth.
But in May Blues fan Eyre was arrested after he threw a lit flare into the pitch of the Amex Stadium in Sussex during a warped act of celebration whilst watching Everton beat Brighton and Hove Albion 5-1.
In a separate incident he was caught on CCTV throwing a traffic cone at rival Liverpool fans, and hitting one of them, whilst on his way to Anfield Stadium for the Merseyside derby. In a third he was found in possession of cannabis whilst an extendable baton and Stanley knife was found in his car.
Police discovered Eyre had a history of violence and had previously made been subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order due to his behaviour.
Tearaway father-of-two Matheau Eyre (centre holding pendant pictured with Everton players) who was appointed ‘community captain’ for Premier League team Everton has been barred from the club’s games for three years after he was convicted of football hooliganism offences.
Matheau Eyre, now 24 from Norris Green, Liverpool, pictured in his younger years
At Sefton Magistrates’ Court Eyre, from Norris Green, Liverpool was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation activity days with the probation service and was made subject of a three-year football banning order.
The order prohibits Eyre from going within more than half a mile from Everton FC’s ground, and a mile away from Anfield Stadium on derby days, from four hours before kick-off to four hours after the conclusion of the game. He must also stay away from whichever town or city Everton FC visit on away game days, and let the authorities know if he is unable to surrender his passport.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing a flare and throwing it onto the playing area, using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence, possession of cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon. He was convicted having a bladed article following a trial.
The club – currently third from bottom in the Premier League after being stripped of ten points – had initially taken Eyre under its wing via the Everton in the Community (EitC) charity in 2014 when he was 15 and a pupil at Everton Free School.
He was initially said to have engaged of EitC ‘support initiatives’ but was then locked up in 2016 in a Young Offender Institute.
Whilst serving his sentence, staff from the charity’s 41 Goodison group visited him and Eyre claimed he was ‘ready to change’ and according to the club enrolled on one of its programmes before getting a job with a local housing association.
He was presented with the ‘Community Captain’ award by spots commentator and former Everton midfielder, Graham Stuart as part of celebrations to mark 30 years of the Premier League.
At the time EiTC said Eyre was nominated ‘after a ‘rollercoaster journey having experienced the lows of disengaging with programmes and facing police custody, to the highs of securing full-time employment and encouraging positive change in young people who face similar challenges.’
And in a statement Eyre who calls himself Matty said: ‘There were some ups and downs in the beginning, mainly due to me not being ready to change, but the staff at 41 Goodison really helped me to make such positive steps to turn my life around for good – without them, I don’t know if I would be where I am today.
‘I want to help others who may find themselves going down a similar path to mine and show them there is a positive alternative.’
Eyre (holding a community captain pendant) pictured with Everton players including Graham Stuart at Goodison Park
But in court Tom Quirk, prosecuting said: ‘The defendant’s first offence is from 28 January 2023. At 1.20am officers were on patrol and their attention was drawn to a vehicle in Norris Green. The defendant was the person inside and he appeared to be hunched over. The officers approached the vehicle and they could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.
‘He exited the vehicle, and they conducted a search. He had an extendable baton and a Stanley knife blade in the central console. Cannabis was found in the glove box with four snapbags.
‘Later on 13 February, Everton were playing Liverpool at Anfield. Prior to kick-off, the defendant can be seen walking down the road picking up a traffic cone and throwing it towards some Liverpool fans.
‘It seems to hit one of the fans. There is no complaint, but it was picked up from CCTV.
‘The third offence was 5 May. Everton were playing Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Everton scored in the first minute and the defendant can be seen effectively lighting a flare and throwing it onto the pitch. At half-time the defendant is removed and taken to the police station.
‘The defendant does have previous convictions. He was last before the court in 2019 for battery when he was fined. In 2016 he had a conditional discharge for battery and there were criminal behaviour orders.’
Everton fans hold up banners protesting the Premier League during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool on December 14
In mitigation, Eyre’s lawyer Danielle Gibbons said: ‘The defendant has been employed for a long period of time and during the course of that employment he undertakes house clearances for the local government housing association.
‘During the day he has certain tools including the Stanley blades and these blades are provided by the company. He has his own vehicle. The which was stationary outside of his own address.
‘Whilst convicted of the offence, it may well be accepted that the reason for it being in his possession was just short of a reasonable excuse. The purpose of having the blade was for the course of his employment.’
Sentencing District Judge James Hatton told Eyre: ‘I have considered your offending history. You offended a lot when you were young but you have slowed down considerably in the last few years.
‘It is unfortunate, therefore, that you find yourself back before the court. I hope that given you now have two children including a very recent young daughter, that you now start growing up. You really ought to. This offending behaviour is not good. It brings a degree of shame to your football club.’
