A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a football hooligan brawl between Blackpool and Burnley supporters.
The fan, in his 50s, remains in a critical condition today after suffering from a head injury in the attack at 7pm on Saturday.
Police were called to reports of 15 men fighting outside The Manchester Pub in Blackpool after watching a 0-0 “dour” stalemate at Bloomfield Road.
DCI Tracey McMurdo said: “We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will do everything in our power to identify anybody who may have been involved.”
Lancashire Police said: “The incident occurred at around 7pm, when an altercation broke out involving around 15 people outside The Manchester pub, at the junction of Lytham Road and the Promenade.
“Officers were in the area of the pub following the Blackpool v Burnley football match and they attended and found a man had suffered a serious head injury.
“They administered CPR and the man, aged in his 50s, was subsequently taken to hospital, where he remains.
“It is believed the altercation broke out between a number of football fans, with the man being injured as part of this incident.
“At this time there is no suggestion he was specifically targeted.
“An investigation has now been launched and we are working with both Blackpool and Burnley football clubs to establish who else was involved in the incident and what exactly occurred.
“We are also asking anybody with information about what happened to get in touch.”
In a brief statement, released on the club’s Twitter account, a Blackpool FC spokesman said the club was “aware of the incident but declined to comment further.
The spokesman added: “Blackpool FC is aware of an incident involving supporters which took place last night that is now in the hands of Lancashire Police. The club is in close contact with the Police as they continue their investigation and is not able to make any further comment at this stage.”
