Wrexham AFC working with police after bottles and coins reportedly thrown at away fans

Wrexham AFC said it is working with police to identify spectators who are alleged to have thrown items at away fans during Saturday's game against Torquay United.

Bottles and coins were reportedly launched at those in the away seats after Torquay equalised in the match at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Torquay United's Supports Trust (TUST) claimed that "disgraceful and unprovoked" scenes of violence took place with eye witnesses telling of one woman being "hit on the head by a bottle" and a child "left frightened and bleeding from coins on the back of his head".

The Welsh club issued a statement on Sunday to say the kind of behaviour reported "will not be tolerated at the Racecourse Ground, and those identified will face the strictest punishments available to the Club".

Superintendent Nick Evans from North Wales Police confirmed they've launched an official investigation,

“We are working with both clubs to obtain details of victims, gather evidence of offences being committed and identify offenders.

“We are also in discussions with Wrexham AFC in relation to banning those individuals identified from attending future games.

“Whilst the majority of football fans are well behaved and want to attend matches free of violence and disorder, there are a minority who are damaging the reputation of Wrexham AFC and its true supporters.

“I’m sure I won’t be alone in feeling great disappointment, that on a weekend when there was international interest in Wrexham AFC, the headlines were grabbed by the idiotic actions of the few. Those involved have let the club down and damaged the reputation of our town.

The game finished 1-1 and was watched by Wrexham's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Posting on their website, a TUST spokesperson said it had "received reports of coins, plastic and glass bottles, a lighter and coffee being thrown at Torquay fans".

The statement described "eye witness accounts" of "several people being hit".

It reads: "One lady was hit on the head by a bottle, another by a coin on the side of the head, a man had a cut below an eye from a coin while a child was left frightened and bleeding from coins on the back of his head."TUST condemned these alleged actions as "totally unacceptable" and made appeals for any of their fans involved to contact the police and make official reports.The statement continues: "What had started out as an enjoyable, happy occasion as the home crowd of over 9,000 welcomed their two Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, ended with the Torquay Supporters’ coach having a police escort to the motorway and fans on foot escorted to the train station."TUST request that the appropriate authorities investigate these incidents so that those responsible are made accountable for their actions and has contacted Wrexham FC and our friends at the Wrexham Supporters Trust to raise our concerns."A spokesman for Torquay United later added: "The safety of our supporters will always be of paramount importance to us, and any actions that threaten this will not be tolerated."The club can confirm they have made an official complaint to the National League, informed the FA and are working with the police to identify those involved."Everybody at Torquay United would once again like to express its appreciation to the Yellow Army for the fantastic support they continue to provide to the team, both home and away."

In reaction to the claims, Wrexham FC said it is "aware of reports of unacceptable incidents and behaviour...directed towards opposition supporters, by a very small minority of attendees at the game".

It reassured that the club is looking through footage from the match and "working with North Wales Police to identify those responsible".The statement continued: "Such behaviour will not be tolerated at the Racecourse Ground, and those identified will face the strictest punishments available to the club. You are not welcome at our football club. The safety of all people attending games at the Racecourse Ground is of paramount importance."We would like to thank the 242 Torquay supporters who made the long return trip from Devon to North Wales for the game, and our true fans who supported us in great numbers once again."

Saturday's game finished with a 1-1 draw and was the first home game with Wrexham's newest owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, in attendance.