Police halt Barnsley football brawl after fan hooks goalie with fishing net

The incident in South Yorkshire sparked a mass brawl as a 50-strong gang attacked players until the police were called and order was restored.

After a 10-minute delay officers supervised the last 10 minutes of the game at Grimethorpe, Barnsley, and then took statements following the final whistle.

Roy Parden, secretary of the Barnsley and District Sunday League for more than 40 years said: “It is the worst incident we have ever dealt with.

“It was pretty nasty. It is sad.”

North Gawber were playing Athersley Recreation in the league’s Challenge Cup semi-final on the neutral ground when the North Gawber goalie was attacked.

He managed to toss the net aside but the yob returned with the gang and fighting broke out.

Athersley Rec manager Pete Goodlad said: “We could see there was going to be some trouble.

“The lad with the fishing net went back on and he and the goalie got to blows and the others joined in.

“The gang were throwing bottles and cans and a Gawber player got a cut on his head when someone threw a push bike.”

Other players suffered cuts and bruises.

An off-duty policeman acting as fourth official called the police and when the sirens sounded the crowd dispersed.

Mr Goodlad said: “It was very frightening to a lot of people, lots of women and children were there.

“It is lucky no-one was seriously hurt. It is absolutely disgusting. They were nothing to do with the teams.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in local football in Barnsley and I’ve been involved for 36 years.”

North Gawber manager Nick Bedford said: “The players of both teams should be proud of how they handled themselves.”

The second semi-final due to be held at the Grimethorpe ground has now been moved to a different location.

Mr Prden said: “We can’t have players and officials put at risk.”