HOOLIGANS attacked police after rival soccer fans clashed outside Turf Moor at the end of Burnley's biggest match of the season.

There were ugly scenes in Yorkshire Street as a hard core of 300 Burnley and Wigan Athletic supporters fought it out after most of the capacity 20,000 crowd which had turned up to see Ian Wright's debut had left peacefully.

Mounted officers and foot and dog patrols were sent in to separate the rival factions. But police say this triggered an unprovoked attack on officers by 200 Burnley fans in which innocent people became caught up.

Kaleigh Redman, 11, of Nelson, suffered an arm injury and was later taken to Burnley General Hospital after it is believed she was pushed into the path of a police dog.

Today police condemned the behaviour of hooligans who marred Burnley's big day. Police operations manager Supt Gary Stephenson said: "So-called fans shamed the town and the club with their behaviour during the highlight of this season. "A number of complaints have been made relating to injuries received by individuals during the incident and these will be investigated. We re also monitoring CCTV footage from town centre cameras to identify offenders and bring them to justice."

Supt Stephenson appealed to anyone in the area at the time to come forward. "All information will be dealt with in confidence," he added.

Eight people have been charged with public order offences and one has been accused of carrying a CS gas spray after alleged incidents around Turf Moor.

Appearing before magistrates on Wednesday charged with threatening behaviour are: Ronnie Anderson, 36, of Aspen Drive, Burnley; Paul Murgatroyd, 26, Burnley Road, Harle Syke; Paul Morgan, 34, of Temple Street, Nelson; Andrew Harrison, 19, Fenwick Street, Burnley.

Gavin Sturgeon, 18, of Belvedere Road, Burnley, faces a charge of possession of a CS spray

Three men from Wigan will appear on Thursday charged with threatening behaviour.

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