Overview

• Jake Balmforth, 35, was sentenced to five years in prison for the manslaughter of Tony Johnson, 55, following a brawl outside a Blackpool pub in March 2023.
• The fatal incident occurred after a Championship match between Blackpool and Burnley, with Balmforth delivering a single punch caught on CCTV.
• Tony Johnson suffered a serious head injury and died two days later without regaining consciousness.
• In addition to the prison sentence, Balmforth received a nine-year football banning order, barring him from attending matches.
• Eight other men involved in the disturbance pleaded guilty to affray and are scheduled for sentencing on August 4, 2025.