BURY'S town centre licensees and the police claimed a home win over soccer thugs.

Bury FC's first home game of the season saw more than 700 Wrexham fans travelling to the borough with around 40 supporters identified prior to Saturday's (Aug 19) match as trouble-makers known to the police.

A scuffle was said to have broken out between a handful of Wrexham and Bury supporters outside the Gigg Lane ground during the run-up to kick-off. Two Wrexham fans were also arrested inside the stadium for being drunk.

Police on horseback and the Tactical Aid Unit, Greater Manchester Police's riot squad, helped local officers to escort the away supporters from the ground after Bury's 4-1 drubbing. A number of pubs around Gigg Lane, Manchester Road and in the town centre were closed as officers directed the Wrexham fans to the Knowsley pub.

Bury's football intelligence officer PC Steve Orr said: "The Knowsley was used to help contain the Wrexham fans, rather than let them spread out around the town centre, until it was time to move them to the tram station for their journey home.

"No damage to any Bury pubs or shops was reported during the day."

There was potential for trouble but thanks to the co-operation of Bury's licensees any envisaged problems were averted.

"Many pubs closed their doors after the match although they continued to serve regular customers.

PC Orr confirmed reports had been received of a scuffle between opposing fans outside the ground but no witnesses had come forward about the matter.

Saturday's success is as a result of improved links between the police, local businesses and licensees who now have facilities to provide detailed intelligence to the control room to assist with the policing of away fans.