UPDATE: |Chaotic video shows fans clash in street and throwing traffic cones after ‘invading pitch’ at Rochdale AFC game News

Participants involved in the disorder appeared to be both adults and children

Chaotic videos have shown the moment fans clashed after ‘invading the pitch’ following an AFC Rochdale game on Saturday evening (April 5).

Following a 2-2 draw at the stadium on Sandy Lane, Spennymoor Town will be heading to Wembley following the penalty shoot-out in the FA trophy semi-final.

But after the final whistle was blown, parents had to ‘cover their children’s eyes’ as opposing fans ‘invaded’ the pitch and began scrapping with each other, with stewards and police drafted in.

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Footage shared online also showed a number of police vehicles arriving at the scene on blue lights, including Tactical Aid Unit vans, following the end of match on Saturday evening.

Police confirmed officers were called after fans from both sides ‘entered the pitch’ after the whistle was blown – but that the mob was quickly dispersed.

However once outside of the stadium, clashes between both Rochdale and Spennymoor fans continued in scenes of disorder with police attempting to bring the incident under control.

Videos sent to the Manchester Evening News show large groups shouting and threatening one another, at one point even hurling an orange traffic cone towards an opposing fan. Participants involved appeared to be both adults and children.

Scores of police officers were seen standing guard in lines in an attempt to break up the chaos and stop further violent scenes boiling over.

Talking about fans spilling onto the pitch, one Rochdale AFC supporter said: “Spennymoor fans ran on the pitch in celebration with some taunting our youth. Our youth then ran on the pitch and started punching the Spennymoor fans randomly.

“It took a while for the police [to arrive], the stewards tried to manage the situation but became overrun with skirmishes. A parent near me had to shield her sons eyes.”

As another said: “To be fair both sets of fans had their idiots. Their fans came on the pitch and taunting our fans, so our fans then got involved too (idiotic minority of both sets).”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called after fans from both sides entered the pitch after the final whistle. We always have resources available across the force area and extra officers responded to the incident after we were called.

“However, working with the club’s stewards, the fans were quickly dispersed, and the away fans left on their assigned coaches. No arrests were made.”

Rochdale AFC have been approached for comment.

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