POLICE have been told to expect an explosion of violence by soccer thugs when Blackburn Rovers clash with Bolton Wanderers next month.

The warning has come from Blackburn landlords who have told police they want more protection during matches.

Fed-up town centre licensees and pub managers say they have heard fights have already been planned between so-called supporters when Bolton travel to Ewood on December 6.

Trevor Hannon, of the Adelphi Beer Emporium, High Street, Blackburn, said he was sick of trouble.

He said he was employing up to four door staff for matches, even though he couldn't afford them.

Mr Hannon said: "The last time I had trouble was with away supporters at the Liverpool game.

"We called the police but it was more than ten minutes before we got any assistance. By that time, the troublemakers had gone.

"All the police are concentrated at Ewood for matches and there are no police in the town at all. "The police should put an officer at each of the pubs where fights are known to break out.

"At the the moment, these thugs are trashing one pub then moving on to another."

Jack Roberts, of the Brewers, said: "There are so-called Rovers fans who come out just to cause trouble. I'm sick of dodging ashtrays and pint glasses.

"Whenever a northern club comes to Blackburn there is trouble and we have already heard there are fights planned when Bolton arrive.

"There needs to be a much bigger police presence in the town to protect pubs."

Blackburn-based sergeant, Steve Shepherd, passed on direct line phone numbers of police officers to licensees to ensure a rapid response if trouble breaks out.

He added: "The Bolton match is very high on our priority list and there will be bigger policing for the match.

"We do have mounted officers and patrol vans in the town and we always do what we can to avoid trouble in that area."

Police said the Bolton match took place at the same time a new radio link for pubs is expected to be launched.

They said the scheme, which links pubs to the police, would prove effective by giving landlords direct and instant contact with officers.

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