West Ham coach suspended for marching with DFLA linked with Inter-City Firm – the infamous hooligan gang

The West Ham United coach suspended for attending a march organised by the Democratic Football Lads Alliance has historic links with a notorious hooligan firm member, Telegraph Sport understands.

Mark Phillips, a former cab driver, is a childhood friend of well-known former Inter-City Firm member Cass Pennant, who acknowledges the West Ham under-18s coach – nicknamed "Woolwich" – in his book, Congratulations: You have just met the ICF.

The east London club is likely to investigate the extent of Phillips' links with the group as part of a disciplinary investigation after he admitted attending Saturday's march in London, which descended into violence after anti-racism campaigners tried to block the group's route from Park Lane to Whitehall.

Pennant, 57, now an author and public speaker, became the leading face of the ICF and was sentenced to four years in prison in 1980. After a second prison sentence, he was shot three times point-blank as a result of a previous feud with another football gang.

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In a tweet – now blocked from public view – Phillips refers to being a childhood friend of Pennant, posting below a picture showing the author with Paul Weller: "I'm one of the few people who can say I grew up with both of ur.Woolwich."

In March this year, West Ham's board were criticised for holding a meeting where ICF member Andrew Swallow was present. Fourteen other fan organisations also attended the meeting of the Real West Ham Fans Action Group (now named Real West Ham Fans).

West Ham suspended Phillips on Monday after he indicated on social media that he was present at Saturday's march. Organisers said on Facebook that they were protesting "returning jihadists", "thousands of Awol migrants", "rape gangs and groomers" and "veterans treated like traitors".

Phillips was brought to the club by former director of youth development Tony Carr, who left West Ham in 2014 after 43 years service. He previously worked for Arsenal after getting his coaching qualifications while still a taxi driver.

Responding to a witness who said he was at the march, Phillips reportedly posted: “I was too. The football fans were sticking to the agreed route and Antifa chose to confront the march. They had there face covered up. We didn’t. Ask yourself honestly who instigated the trouble??”

The club said in a statement: “West Ham United is an inclusive football club. Regardless of gender, age, race, ability, religion or sexual orientation, every supporter within our diverse fanbase is warmly welcomed at London Stadium, free to enjoy watching their team play football without fear, discrimination or abuse.

“We have a zero tolerance policy to any form of violent or abusive behaviour. We continue to protect and cherish those values and we remain committed to ensuring every single member of the West Ham family feels safe, respected and included.

”Phillips has been a permanent member of staff at West Ham since 2012 and the club have launched an investigation into his endorsement of a group who have been accused of spreading Islamophobia and of having links with far-right organisations.he matter is with the club's lawyers and human resources department, who are expected to interview Phillips this week.

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The DFLA, formed in response to the London Bridge terror attacks in 2017, was reportedly "set up as a self-proclaimed 'anti-extremist' movement" that had become associated with the far right. The Premier League had warned its clubs that the group were attempting to push an anti-Muslim agenda.

A Kick It Out spokesman said: “We can confirm we’ve received a report about a West Ham coach claiming to have attended the DFLA rally. We have passed it on to the club and are liaising with them about the issue.”

Earlier this year West Ham sacked director of football, Tony Henry, after he claimed the club did not want to sign African footballers.