A fan was rushed to hospital after being badly injured in a vicious street brawl involving rival junior football supporters.
Violence erupted minutes after the Glasgow Perthshire v Kilbirnie Ladeside Scottish Junior Cup tie in Glasgow’s Possilpark on Saturday afternoon. It is believed a 34-year-old man suffered a serious head injury after being hit by a thug wielding a hammer.
Video footage showed a male lying injured on the road as people tried to help him. Police are now trying to track down those responsible for the violence. Detectives stopped a bus with Kilbirnie fans and quizzed them before the supporters headed back to the Ayrshire town.
The fight happened in Closeburn Street, yards from Perthshire’s Keppoch Park ground. Fans started trading blows minutes after the final whistle of the match, which Kilbirnie won 2-1.
Sources said clashes between fans started during the game. One insider said: “The atmosphere was terrible. There was a lot of chanting between the supporters and some fans were trying to fight during the match.
“Some of them also let off flares and brought drums. What happened after the game was mental – police and ambulances were everywhere.”
Another source said: “It was absolute carnage.
“The fans were attacking each other with all sorts of weapons. One guy got hit with a hammer and was in a bad way. People thought he had died.
“Police stopped as many people as they could for questioning. Both the clubs will face big questions over this.”
A Glasgow Perthshire spokeswoman said: “The club is aware of an incident outside the ground after the match but have no information as to what happened.
“We are informed the person injured is on the mend. All at Glasgow Perthshire FC wish the injured person a speedy recovery.”
Scottish Junior Football Association secretary John Reilly said: “We are awaiting the match report and an investigation will be had if required.”
Kilbirnie Ladeside were also approached for comment.
A police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a disturbance involving a large group of people fighting in the Closeburn Street area of Glasgow at about 4.30pm on Saturday. A 34-year-old man has been taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Kilbirnie fans were at the centre of violent scenes during a match in Glasgow last year when their supporters clashed with St Roch’s fans.
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