8 Burnley fans arrested in pub brawl v Sheff Weds

Eight suspected football hooligans were arrested after “mindless” violence involving 40 men erupted at a Burnley pub.

Police swooped on Clarets fans believed to be behind large-scale violence at Burnley Miners’ Club following Burnley’s Championship fixture with Sheffield Wednesday.

The raids saw the suspected thugs arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

Three Burnley men aged 52, 37 and 18, and a 17-year-old from the town, were arrested alongside a 38-year-old man from Padiham, a 21-year-old from Colne, a 49-year-old from Nelson and a 54-year-old from Rochdale.

Searches were carried out by officers at their home addresses and those arrested were set to be questioned by detectives.

The arrests followed an investigation into trouble which flared up between Clarets fans and away supporters in the Plumbe Street club on January 18th.

The violence, thought to have involved around 40 people, broke out about 6pm and left a window at the club smashed and other damage.

It is not clear whether anyone was seriously hurt

Chief Supt Chris Bithell, of Burnley Police, said: “The level of violence shown by those involved in this disorder was mindless and obscene and today’s arrests show we are determined not to tolerate thuggish behaviour of this kind linked to football.

“We will continue work hard with both the club and the public to identify all of those involved in this disgraceful disorder, and my message to those people is to expect a knock on the door from the police in the near future.”

Those arrested are due to be interviewed by detectives.