Everton fans 'threatened' a driver and 'faked an illness' to break off from two away-day coaches and fight Millwall fans in shocking scenes of violence, according to an official report.
Huyton Mini Coaches, which ferried Everton fans to away fixtures for a number of seasons, was slammed for its conduct around the Millwall match in a damning report by the Traffic Commissioner.
A report from the Merseyside Police officer attached to Everton FC found one coach of fans “took part in the most serious football violence he had seen in 28 years of policing”.
Everton and Millwall fans were involved in violent clashes before an FA Cup tie in London on January 26.
Ahead of the game, the Metropolitan Police warned of a 'much heightened risk of disorder' and pre-planned fights between fans.
These serious concerns meant coach operators had to follow a set route to the ground - with any stops outside London forbidden by police.
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A strict coach arrival window was also handed out, so supporters could be delivered to avoid any potential clashes.
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On the day of the Millwall fixture, the Widnes-based coach company sent six vehicles to London from three different starting points across Liverpool.
In evidence given to the Traffic Commissioner, Dedicated Football Officer attached to Everton FC Michael Dacre gave evidence on how two coaches of fans were involved in violence at the ground.
One of the coaches, organised by a Mr Brophy, went off the set route and drove through central London to drop a number of fans off at Euston Station.
This group of fans are then said to have "taken part in the most serious football violence [PC Dacre] seen in 28 years of policing”.
Mr Szilagyi, who was driving the Brophy coach to the Millwall match, said he was 'tricked' into thinking one of the passengers was ill and in need of medical attention.
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It is understood that passengers broke away from the coach while the driver dealt with the sneaky diversion, before travelling across London independently.
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The enquiry by Traffic Commissioner for the North West Simon Evans found that the coach company caused 'increased risk to the public' as passengers who police were interested in were able to travel through the capital city unknown.
A second coach, which left Liverpool from the same location, was forced to stop off at a Luton pub when a passenger threatened the driver.
Fans on board the coach reportedly became 'dismayed' when they found out their usual stop-off at a pub would not be allowed.
After making an unauthorised stop at the pub, the coach arrived late into the ground and became involved in more violence when it was attacked by passing home fans.
The report said: "Occupants of the coach were seen throwing bottles and cans and were said to be ‘winding up’ those outside, leading to serious disorder problems."
Mr Evans found that the coach’s late arrival "placed passengers’ safety at risk as that decision [to stop] led to a violent public confrontation on the street."
In addition to the failures identified at the Millwall fixture, the enquiry highlighted an incident at Everton's Cardiff City fixture on February 26.
The coach's driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving amid concerns over cocaine and two passengers were found in possession of the same drug.
Another passenger was dealt with in respect of money laundering allegations and the alarm was raised over a number of underage youths on the coach.
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However, the report stated that as far as Mr Evans was concerned, the arrests had not led to any convictions.
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A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "Officers boarded two coaches on the East Lancs Road, due to take Everton fans to Cardiff ahead of their Premier League fixture that evening.
"Matrix officers including the Dog Section and Roads Policing, assisted by the Driving Standards Agency, searched the buses and as a result one man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and remains on police bail.
"Two others were dealt with by way of caution for possession of a controlled drug."
Despite the catalogue of failings identified on the part of Huyton Mini Coaches, the enquiry did not conclude the operator's repute was lost.
Instead, Huyton Mini Coach's licence was revoked as a result of the company's financial standing.
The Liverpool ECHO contacted the company for comment on the findings of the report and the revocation of their licence.
