BOARDED UP: A chair was thrown through a window during a disturbance at the Railway pub in Darwen

A PUB was trashed after rival football gangs met up for a pre-arranged fight, police believe.

Yobs armed themselves with pool cues and glasses during the 'riot' in the Railway pub, Railway Road, Darwen, officers said.

A man was dragged through a window in the mass brawl and several people needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruises, although no one was seriously injured.

Police suspect the football supporters were connected to Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City and had arranged to meet at the pub.

The groups had only been in the pub for 10 minutes when one shouted "We're Bolton" and the fight broke out, landlady Gillian Campbell said.

Some 15 suspects, including four 16 year olds, all from Greater Manchester, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after the incident at around 6.15pm on Saturday.

Lancashire officers are also planning to speak to football intelligence unit police from Greater Manchester to quiz them about the clubs' known hooligans.

Bolton and Man City had earlier drawn 0-0 in a Premiership clash at the Reebok Stadium.

Mrs Campbell said she had been shocked by the incident and was angry at being left with a £1,500 bill to repair the damage.

She said: "One of the customers saw the men getting off a train and then heading in to the pub.

"They weren't local. One of them shouted 'We're Bolton' and then a riot just broke out.

"People said they were throwing chairs and knocking tables over. Then someone smashed the front window with a stool and a man was dragged out through it.

"The customers and staff tried to get them out of the pub and one of the girls was hit in the face.

"They demolished the pub but we were able to tidy up and luckily we didn't need to close."

The fans left the pub after the incident. Police believe most of the violence was contained to inside the Railway, but that passers-by may have witnessed what was going on.

Detective Sergeant Allen Davies, of Blackburn CID, said those involved were believed to be Man City and Bolton fans who were suspected to have met up at the pub to fight.

He said: "This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable. Fortunately no one was seriously injured as a result of this.

"As there was a large number of people involved I am sure that someone will have seen what happened and I would urge them to come forward."

At 7pm today police were granted a 12-hour extension to question the suspects further.

Anyone with information should contact police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

8:24pm Sunday 23rd March 2008

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