A FRIENDLY game between Thamesmead Town and Clapton was abandoned last night after violent clashes, with claims the match was targeted by far-right protesters.
The pre-season warm-up at Thamesmead's Bayliss Avenue was only 20 minutes old when it had to be stopped with players heading for shelter inside.
Eyewitness accounts claim around 50 people were waiting for Clapton fans to arrive at the ground before attacking. There is no suggestion that either club's supporter were involved in starting the clashes.
Clapton's famous Clapton Ultras group, are known for their multicultural stance and vocal support during games.
And in a statement, the supporters' group claim they had received threats from a ‘fascist group' prior to the game.
“In the last few days, we received threatening messages from a fascist group regarding this fixture,” it said. “This information was passed on to the football club and its fans who decided to travel as one group to the game as fan safety is the number one priority.
“As we arrived at the game around 15 minutes after kick off and began to enter, Clapton fans were immediately attacked with weapons and missiles by a large group already present inside the ground, who threw glasses, bottles, bricks, signs and a fire extinguisher at Clapton fans, the vast majority of which had not been able to even enter the ground.
“In addition to causing minor injury the missiles damaged several parked cars in the car park outside the ground. Thankfully no one was seriously injured.
“Clapton fans have no history or rivalry with Thamesmead fans and this attack was not made by Thamesmead fans. The attackers sang racist chants as they pelted Clapton fans with missiles.
“This was a planned attack, orchestrated by fascists and their allies as a politically motivated assault on Clapton fans for our politics of anti-sexism, anti-homophobia, anti-racism and anti-fascism. Their interest was never in the football and they only attended the game in order to attack us.”
A Met Police spokesman confirmed more officers were called to the area at 8.10pm and said: “Officers who were on-duty at Thamesmead Town FC on Bayliss Avenue witnessed a group of individuals throw items towards a second group leading to a short period of disorder.
“Officers, including the Territorial Support Group and a police helicopter attended. The group was dispersed and a short time later, officers stopped approximately 40 people who had boarded a bus nearby.”
“Two people have been treated for head injuries.”
There is a video of the trouble below but please be warned that it includes offensive language.
Thamesmead vs Clapton 😂 #RIOT pic.twitter.com/UdeojwR6Ze
— Nashey (@LiamNash1) August 4, 2015
