Police have launched an investigation following a violent disorder that erupted at a football match involving Bilston Town FC in the Midlands. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, February 7, has garnered significant attention after video footage was widely circulated on social media platforms.
Details of the Incident
The disorder unfolded after Bilston Town FC, based in Wolverhampton, suffered a 0-2 defeat to Droylsden Town FC. According to reports, the altercation took place on the sidelines of the match, with video evidence showing a group of men and a woman falling to the ground amidst the chaos. The footage captures shouting and physical confrontations, with a woman being pushed down as she attempted to intervene, leading to screams and calls for assistance.
Police Response and Investigation
West Midlands Police have confirmed that they were called to the scene on Queen Street at approximately 5pm following reports of people being attacked. In a statement provided to BirminghamLive, authorities emphasised that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident at this time.
The police are actively working to establish the full facts of the case. This includes plans to contact victims for detailed statements and a thorough review of available mobile phone and CCTV footage. Officers have urged anyone with information to come forward by calling 101 and quoting reference number 20/139817/26.
Club Statement and Community Impact
Bilston Town FC issued a statement via social media platform X on the evening of the incident, acknowledging the circulation of videos from the match. The club stressed that the footage does not represent a fair reflection of the overall game or the day's events. They confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to review all available footage from the match and expressed gratitude to Droylsden Town FC supporters for their cooperation.
The video also revealed that children were present during the disorder, witnessing adults swearing and stumbling into muddy puddles on the sidelines. This aspect has raised concerns about safety and conduct at grassroots football events.
Ongoing Developments
As the investigation progresses, both police and club officials are focused on gathering evidence to understand the circumstances leading to the violent outbreak. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing crowd behaviour at local sports fixtures, with calls for increased vigilance and community support to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
