surrey jim
Not in Surrey
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/TROUBLE-FLARES-MILLWALL-GAME/article-2503988-detail/article.html
[QUOTE]
IN some of the worst football-related disorder seen in Bristol for years, stones and bottles were thrown and at least three fans injured as violence erupted between Bristol City and Millwall fans.
The police operation at Ashton Gate itself ensured the first match of the season on Saturday passed off without incident inside the stadium, but it was a different story afterwards as fans made their way home.
The worst fighting took place in Hotwells, although there were smaller disturbances in Redcliffe and near Temple Meads.
One City fan was hurt in fighting in Hotwells which began after a coach carrying Millwall fans back to London had to stop in a queue of traffic for a bridge swing.
A group of men began throwing stones, bottles and other objects at the coach and there were reports that it was set on fire, forcing the fans on board to get off.
At least three men were injured in the ugly scenes that followed.
Two were treated on the spot by paramedics and the third, a City fan, was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary by ambulance suffering from head injuries.
The man was kept in for observation but police said he had not been seriously injured.
Rebecca Gove was working behind the bar of the Rose of Denmark pub on Saturday night.
She told the Evening Post: "I was working when about 30 guys, some with pint glasses in their hands, came running past the window screaming. A few seconds later they ran back and some had cuts on their faces.
"I know that one of the men is in hospital. What happened is very sad and shocking and not a true representation of Bristol at all. What happened was not acceptable behaviour."
One eyewitness to the fighting, commenting on the City fans' forum, said: "There was a bridge swing so no traffic was going anywhere.
"It looked like City fans attacking the coaches but I'm not really sure. It was really bad – lots of bottles, stones, fire extinguishers being thrown about – people joining in from the Pump House and Rose of Denmark.
"We called the police, but there was absolutely no police there at all. That's the worst thing. My girlfriend was really shaken up. Guys were getting stamped on, bus windows being smashed and (there was) nothing that we could do."
Avon and Somerset police spokesman Claire Stanley confirmed the incident and said one man had been taken to hospital with "minor" injuries.
She said: "Police were in attendance before, during and after the Bristol City v Millwall game at Ashton Gate.
"There were two arrests before the game, one for disorder and one for drug possession and four arrests after the game – three for assault and one for the theft of a motor vehicle.
"There were a number of reports of disorder across the city which units attended.
"At many of the incidents no complaints were made (by people who were attacked) but I can confirm that a coach was damaged and there was disorder in the road by the Plimsoll Bridge."
She said none of the arrests related to the man who had been taken to hospital.
Before the match a coach taking Millwall fans to Ashton Gate was stoned and windows were smashed.
Bristol City FC spokesman Adam Baker said: "Obviously we condemn any violence, be it in the stadium or elsewhere, and we'll be working closely with the police. If they manage to identify any of those involved we will support them."
Around 1,800 Millwall fans attended the match. All were part of the Millwall membership scheme which means the club has their details and photos.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the Bristol incident by the Plimsoll Bridge and for information following a serious assault on a football fan in Bath on Saturday.
A man suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked in Quiet Street, Bath at about 8.30pm.
The 32-year-old man had been to the match early in the day but police said the incident was not football related.
Witnesses are asked to contact 0845 456 7000, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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[QUOTE]
IN some of the worst football-related disorder seen in Bristol for years, stones and bottles were thrown and at least three fans injured as violence erupted between Bristol City and Millwall fans.
The police operation at Ashton Gate itself ensured the first match of the season on Saturday passed off without incident inside the stadium, but it was a different story afterwards as fans made their way home.
The worst fighting took place in Hotwells, although there were smaller disturbances in Redcliffe and near Temple Meads.
One City fan was hurt in fighting in Hotwells which began after a coach carrying Millwall fans back to London had to stop in a queue of traffic for a bridge swing.
A group of men began throwing stones, bottles and other objects at the coach and there were reports that it was set on fire, forcing the fans on board to get off.
At least three men were injured in the ugly scenes that followed.
Two were treated on the spot by paramedics and the third, a City fan, was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary by ambulance suffering from head injuries.
The man was kept in for observation but police said he had not been seriously injured.
Rebecca Gove was working behind the bar of the Rose of Denmark pub on Saturday night.
She told the Evening Post: "I was working when about 30 guys, some with pint glasses in their hands, came running past the window screaming. A few seconds later they ran back and some had cuts on their faces.
"I know that one of the men is in hospital. What happened is very sad and shocking and not a true representation of Bristol at all. What happened was not acceptable behaviour."
One eyewitness to the fighting, commenting on the City fans' forum, said: "There was a bridge swing so no traffic was going anywhere.
"It looked like City fans attacking the coaches but I'm not really sure. It was really bad – lots of bottles, stones, fire extinguishers being thrown about – people joining in from the Pump House and Rose of Denmark.
"We called the police, but there was absolutely no police there at all. That's the worst thing. My girlfriend was really shaken up. Guys were getting stamped on, bus windows being smashed and (there was) nothing that we could do."
Avon and Somerset police spokesman Claire Stanley confirmed the incident and said one man had been taken to hospital with "minor" injuries.
She said: "Police were in attendance before, during and after the Bristol City v Millwall game at Ashton Gate.
"There were two arrests before the game, one for disorder and one for drug possession and four arrests after the game – three for assault and one for the theft of a motor vehicle.
"There were a number of reports of disorder across the city which units attended.
"At many of the incidents no complaints were made (by people who were attacked) but I can confirm that a coach was damaged and there was disorder in the road by the Plimsoll Bridge."
She said none of the arrests related to the man who had been taken to hospital.
Before the match a coach taking Millwall fans to Ashton Gate was stoned and windows were smashed.
Bristol City FC spokesman Adam Baker said: "Obviously we condemn any violence, be it in the stadium or elsewhere, and we'll be working closely with the police. If they manage to identify any of those involved we will support them."
Around 1,800 Millwall fans attended the match. All were part of the Millwall membership scheme which means the club has their details and photos.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the Bristol incident by the Plimsoll Bridge and for information following a serious assault on a football fan in Bath on Saturday.
A man suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked in Quiet Street, Bath at about 8.30pm.
The 32-year-old man had been to the match early in the day but police said the incident was not football related.
Witnesses are asked to contact 0845 456 7000, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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