Football thugs in clash on streets

AROUND 80 football hooligans clashed in Blackpool town centre on Saturday night. The thugs were involved in pitched battles around the Chapel Street area following Blackpool's 4 -1 win over Bradford at Bloomfield Road.

Police were confronted by rowdy fans before the game and fighting continued after the final whistle in the streets surrounding the ground. The Princess Hotel on Foxhall Road had windows smashed as the violence continued. Police recommended the Royal Oak on Lytham Road close its doors after the match.

Manager Sarah Bettney said: "The police said to us there had been one or two incidents, although none of the fans drinking in our pub had been involved. "But because we do get a lot of football fans in on match days the police came in and said it might be a good idea to close because of the trouble which had already gone on. "We closed the doors from around 4.40pm and opened them back up at 6pm and we just let home fans in. "We didn't stop serving at any time, just closed the doors as a precaution."

Evidence gathering teams were out at the scene until late on Saturday and police have said they are confident of making arrests in the near future