A PUB was badly damaged and the landlord left injured yesterday (November 29) after trouble broke out between groups of football fans.

Millwall supporters en route to their match against Preston North End were drinking in the Fox and Grapes pub, Chapel Street, Chorley, at 12.45pm when the pub was approached by a large group of Blackpool fans.

They had stopped in Chorley prior to their game in Bolton.

Amid violent scenes, two large plate glass windows were smashed, one by someone throwing the pub's 32 inch television through it.

Landlord David Hamer, 59, sustained minor head and hand injuries as he tried to prevent fans entering the pub.

He said: "I've never seen anything like it. There were about 100 fans charging up Chapel Street and tryng to barge in the doors.

"I was trying to stop them getting in and was hit several times.

"The regulars in here had to hide round the back.

"They've smashed windows, the TV, several tables and chairs, the quiz machine, mirrors and even electrical sockets.

"All in all it will run into thousands of pounds of damage."

TJ Nelson, who was working behind the bar said the atmosphere had been peaceful prior to the fans' arrival.

After the incident, glass was strewn on the road outside the pub and blood could be seen splattered on he pavement and outside wall of the pub.

Gerald Parkinson, 54, who runs Parky's sandwich shop, Chapel Street, also witnessed the mayhem.

He said: "Someone could have been killed. There were bottles and chairs being thrown on the street and it seemed like it went on for around 10 minutes.

"I'd seen the fans arriving at about 11am so I would ask why the police weren't keeping an eye on them.

"When they did arrive it had clamed down and they just seem to let them go to the station and get on trains."

A police spokesman said blamed the trouble on '20 or so Millwall fans'.

She said: “We received a call about 2.15pm to disorder at the pub, which appears to be football related.

“There were no serious injuries or arrests."