Post by saturdaysheros on Sept 4, 2006 0:58:04 GMT -5
A police chief has condemned football hooligans after 84 people were arrested after rival fans clashed at a derby match. Violence broke out in the streets around Port Vale's Vale Park ground in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, before the game between Stoke City and Port Vale. The game, which finished 1-1, was further marred by two pitch invasions and missiles hurled between opposition fans. Superintendent Nick Howe, who led a 300-strong police operation at the Division Two match, claims two pubs in Burslem will be prosecuted for breaching licensing laws. He says the 2pm kick-off time will also be reviewed to see if it should be brought forward to avoid alcohol-fuelled violence. "This is a stain on the area's reputation on what should have been a day for civic pride," he said. "We know of two pubs who had up to 50 fans in them at 10.30am and we will be looking at bringing prosecutions against both of those for breach of licensing laws." A total of 84 arrests were made, but 67 people were later released. Seventeen people have been charged with offences ranging from assault to criminal damage. Trouble first flared in Burslem town centre, which required a "major police presence" to break up rival fans and escort them to the ground. Around 20 people invaded the pitch when Port Vale scored, while four Stoke fans had to seek refuge in a ticket office from rival fans after going into the opposition end of the ground. Bottles and cans were hurled during the game, which resulted in a press photographer suffering facial injures. Superintendent Howe says the trouble was not the worst he had seen, but condemned the behaviour of those responsible for the violence. According to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, 49 Stoke City fans were arrested last season - the fourth highest for the division. A total of 13 Port Vale fans were arrested over the same season.