Trouble at 'Pool

06 May 2001

What should have been an enjoyable weekend away for many Albion fans turned into a nightmare for many as three coachloads of Wolves "fans" decided to join them in Blackpool for a day of violence. Needless to say, none of them wore colours - preferring the customary thug regalia of Burberry shirts and mobile phones - and with apparently nothing better to do they spent the day in large numbers ambushing families and small groups of Albion fans wandering round in their stripes.

Admittedly, some of the reports coming back may be exaggerated - including, we believe (or rather, hope) the rumours that one Albion fan died from knife wounds. However, I've heard enough first hand accounts of what went on to believe much of it, including a shower of bottles and glasses that met Albion fans walking near to a pub occupied by the thugs. Two friends of mine were cornered in a shop with one of these individuals who made the proud boast "I'm Wolves" and then proceeded to call for reinforcements on his mobile while the shopkeeper began closing the shutters. Fortunately they managed to get away and survived a quiet night in the local lap dancing establishments, but that's another story...

A large number of arrests were made as trouble continued throughout the night, but it seems that police were well up to the task and dealt with most of the incidents with the help of a helicopter. Now, if two groups of people (I find it hard to use the term "fans" in these cases) want to meet up and kick the crap out of each other, my general view is that they're welcome to it - but this is a million miles from the incidents that took place yesterday. I'm not aware that anyone associated with Albion has ever stopped to such depths before - let's hope this isn't taken as an excuse to start now.

Previous Stories:

  01 May 2001:  Blues in playoff woes already

  28 April 2001:  Playoff ticket info

  24 April 2001:  A few more Preston tickets - NOT!

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