PRESTON North End football club has held talks with local police following claims that racist group Combat 18 has threatened to target Irish footballers playing in this country.

Among the massive Irish contingent playing in Britian is PNE assistant boss Kelham O'Hanlon.

The Football Association of Ireland has received one letter and two telephone calls - allegedly from Combat 18, the ultra-right wing group behind the riots when England played Ireland in 1995 - warning that the lives of players would be at risk unless they returned back to Ireland.

The thugs are believed to have a splinter group called the White Wolves, who claimed responsibility for the three London bombings. Police believe they operate in the Preston area.

Lancashire Police confirmed that talks have been held with the Deepdale club regarding players' security, initiated by the FAI.

A police spokesman said: "Informal talks have been held with PNE regarding these threats and potential security risks.

"We can confirm the threats are being taken very seriously."

None of Preston's Northern Irish players, including Colin Murdock, Stuart King and Paul Morgan, are believed to be at risk as the Northern Ireland FA said they had not been threatened.

A FAI spokesman, based in Dublin, said: "This is very distressing and worrying for the FAI and disturbing for players and their clubs. These players are in England earning their living entertaining people."

O'Hanlon, who has been at the club for several years, was promoted to assistant manager when David Moyes took charge of the club last season. He still plays, but mainly in the reserves.

Derek Shaw, PNE's deputy chairman confirmed police had been in contact. He added: "We are hoping that it is not serious.

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