COACHES carrying Black Cats fans home from Liverpool came under attack after Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat.
Passengers travelling on the South Shields branch bus claim missiles were thrown as they waited in stationary traffic, heading away from Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.
One object smashed the outside pane of the bus window, while another coach was attacked but not damaged.
Seventy3 fanzine editor Mal Robinson, who was on the coach which had its window smashed, today slammed the thugs responsible.
He said: “There’s no need for this in society, never mind at a football match.
“It was a bit chaotic. It was a shock. There were women and children on the bus.”
Dave Scott, from fellow fanzine Seventy3 on tour, who was also on the bus, added: “It was like something off a film. It was an absolute nightmare. I was worried what was going to happen. The younger ones were terrified.
“We heard a big bang come from the left hand side of the bus, people are suggesting that something similar to a Lambrini bottle was thrown.
“They surrounded the bus and were kicking the emergency door.”
Dave, 20, claimed there was no police escort and Merseyside officers are now investiagting the attack.
He said: “It was completely preventable. This would never have happened if the police had escorted us out. I have no idea why there was not a convoy.”
Both fans believe the attack was more likely to have come from a local gang, rather than from Liverpool football fans.
“They weren’t dressed in Liverpool colours,” said Mal. “A couple of lads got off the bus to confront them and one lost his phone. When his friend checked his Facebook they had written ‘Liverpool Urchins’ from his account.”
A spokesman from Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that we have now received a single report of damage to a football supporters’ coach leaving the Anfield area last night.
“A driver of one of the coaches called the force to say that a window had been smashed by an object thrown from outside a chip shop on Stanley Park Avenue South.
“Enquiries will be now carried out to investigate the matter further.
“Last night’s match was held in good spirits with very few incidents, given the large numbers of people attending.
“We always provide a highly-visible police presence to reassure fans and residents alike on matchday so it is disappointing that a small number of mindless individuals have sought to spoil the night for a group of fans visiting our city.”
Merseyside Police can be contacted on 0151 709 6010, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Twitter: @Sunechosteve
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