Violence erupts at London derby

[Joey Jones]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8221451.stm

A man has been stabbed in the chest during violence involving "hundreds" of fans outside West Ham's Upton Park stadium during a game with Millwall.

Fights broke out at 1915 BST and were still raging more than an hour later. Police are assessing a man stabbed in nearby Priory Road at about 2025 BST.

A fan told the BBC it was the worst hooliganism he had seen in 30 years.

A Met spokesman said: "It looks like there has been some planned trouble disorder from fans."

He added: "Hundreds of fans are estimated to be involved."

Two arrests have been confirmed, for affray and breaching a control order.

British Transport Police said they heard reports of minor overcrowding at the Tube station near the ground, but their log shows no arrests.

'Bottles and bricks'

The BBC's Ben Jacobs, who is at the stadium, said: "The trouble broke out outside the Tube station about 600 yards from the ground.

"There were 500 to 1,000 riot police and Millwall fans managed to break through the divide.

"Bottles were thrown and bricks were as well."

He added: "There has been a bit of trouble inside the ground.

"There was a penalty shout and fans started gesturing and throwing small objects."

[Helios Creed]

It all started when someone tried to take a ring off a Hammers fan and he went mental.

[Shaggy]

So predictable.

[kingfunk]

They are fighting in the ground now.

[Helios Creed]

So predictable.

Tried my best...

Have you seen Levi Roots programme yet (see TV thread)?

[Marky]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0W8Kt969U"]YouTube - The Real Football Factories Episode 1 (London)[/ame]

[Shaggy]

Aaron Smith from Hemel Hempstead, who was at the game, said: "I saw one man cornered by at least a dozen Millwall fans before kick-off. Terrifying scenes."

Eyewitness Fergal O'Brien said: "I saw a West Ham fan getting punched in the face by a burly bald man who had a coin between his fists."

Another fan said: "I was in a throng walking up and a group of hooligans came for us.

"The police wanted to help but they were clearly afraid to use force. I am still shaking. I thought I was going to die."

Meanwhile Ben Newton, from Harrow, north London, said his father had been stretchered away after being hit with a dart to the head.

And a Millwall fan told the BBC: "It was like a war zone outside the stadium. There was fighting all round.

"I brought my kids with me tonight and they've seen some violence that is indescribable."

[Shaggy]

Tried my best...

Have you seen Levi Roots programme yet (see TV thread)?

I haven't, no...neither programme nor thread. Will have a look.

[Shaggy]

2132: Bedlam at Upton Park, where stewards and police are in the stands trying to keep the two sets of fans apart. What they don't need is extra time: and Junior Stanislas has just made it West Ham 1-1 Millwall. Fans on the pitch - and we may well have an abandonment, or at least a delay while they try to calm things down

[FatTony]

Another fan said:
"The police wanted to help but they were clearly afraid to use force. I am still shaking. I thought I was going to die."

This is what happens now that we've become a nanny state, police forces scared to use force when required.

[dom9]

Another fan said:
"The police wanted to help but they were clearly afraid to use force. I am still shaking. I thought I was going to die."

This is what happens now that we've become a nanny state, police forces scared to use force when required.

Makes a change. They are normally only too happy to pile in.

[Helios Creed]

"And a Millwall fan told the BBC: "It was like a war zone outside the stadium. There was fighting all round.

"I brought my kids with me tonight and they've seen some violence that is indescribable." "


you can't tell if he's complaining or really chuffed...

[dom9]

"And a Millwall fan told the BBC: "It was like a war zone outside the stadium. There was fighting all round.

"I brought my kids with me tonight and they've seen some violence that is indescribable." "


you can't tell if he's complaining or really chuffed...

[FatTony]

Makes a change. They are normally only too happy to pile in.

Or not often enough imo.

[dom9]

Or not often enough imo.

Well I think they are generally a bunch cunts. [sweeping generalisation, awaits onslaught].