Wrexham AFC says 'hooliganism' has no place at the club after police make 11 arrests ahead of match

Police in Manchester have arrested eleven people after trouble flared before the Oldham Athletic v Wrexham match yesterday afternoon (October 1).

In a statement, Wrexham AFC said it "condemns the hooliganism" seen in videos shared on social media showing fans fighting in the streets.Officers in Oldham have appealed for more information to identify else anyone involved in the violence which broke out at about 2pm in Failsworth, some four miles from Oldham's Boundary Park ground. A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said: "We have arrested eleven men aged between 18 and 30 years old on suspicion of violent disorder, following the Wrexham AFC vs Oldham Athletic FC football match yesterday afternoon. They have all been bailed pending further investigation."

GMP said "dispersal powers" were authorised for both sets of fans who engaged in disorder. About 60 football fans from both Wrexham and Oldham were "issued with the direction to leave", they said.

GMP said it wanted to find more offenders. Superintendent Phillip Hutchinson, Silver Commander for the match said: “Disorder and violence at football matches is unacceptable and we have launched a post-match investigation to identify more offenders who will be arrested and placed before the courts, where we will seek football banning orders."We appreciate the passion and support that fans want to show for their team, however violent disorder and anti-social behaviour will never be tolerated in our communities.”

Wrexham AFC said a post-match investigation is also underway, to identify more offenders, who will be arrested and placed before the courts.The club said it wanted to "reiterate our zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour at, and around, our football matches". It "fully supported" GMP in their approach, and will be working with the authorities where relevant.

Wrexham AFC also said it was aware of the "violence and anti-social behaviour" which took place in Failsworth and "strongly condemns this hooliganism". They added: "The individuals involved do not represent our fanbase and are not welcome at our football club. We urge all supporters to distance themselves from such behaviour."But the club was also keen to praise and thank the majority of Dragons fans who travelled to watch the game. They said 2,520 Wrexham supporters formed part of Oldham’s highest attendance at Boundary Park on Saturday since their FA Cup game against Liverpool in 2013.

Their "loud, passionate and vocal support" created an "incredible atmosphere" and was appreciated by all the players, staff and everybody associated with Wrexham AFC, they said.

Wrexham AFC's CEO, Fleur Robinson, said: “We would like to thank the vast majority of our travelling fans for their incredible, passionate and vocal support at yesterday’s game.“We are sorry that the actions of a very small minority have created more negative headlines, but we can only reiterate our zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour at our matches. Our true supporters within Boundary Park showcased the best of our fanbase, with their support contributing to a comeback win - with players and staff all highlighting the impact this had.

“Anybody who acts to sour this reputation has no place at our football club, and we will continue to work with the police to ensure they face the strictest possible consequences for their unacceptable behaviour.”

Five men have been handed football banning orders in recent months for incidents at Wrexham matches last season.Anybody found guilty of such unacceptable behaviour will face the "strictest possible" consequences, said the club. Meanwhile, Wrexham AFC urged anybody with information that could assist Greater Manchester Police in their investigations to call 101 or contact them on gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.