Police probe Sporting Khalsa FA Cup violence

In a video posted on YouTube, hooded louts can be seen brawling ahead of the game at Willenhall's Aspray Arena, with missiles thrown and stewards struggling to contain the violence.

Trouble started just before kick-off at Saturday's match, when at around 2.50pm a fight broke out between a group of supporters in the corner of the ground.

The troublemakers, who are said to be from the Wolves Youth firm, launched an attack on the travelling FC United of Manchester supporters. Fists and bottles were thrown, as stewards tried to separate them.

The tension seemed to simmer down, but just moments later punches were thrown again, a bin was tossed into the air and a flare - believed to have been thrown by a Wolves Youth member - was thrown on to the pitch as the teams warmed up.

Around 23 minutes into the game, an orange flare was thrown on to the pitch forcing referee Darren Strain to briefly stop play.

United keeper David Carnell threw the flare off the pitch, before around 10 police officers arrived and made their way over to the far side of the ground.

There was no further trouble during the game, which ended 3-1 to FC United.

There were also reports of fighting after the match and a video that has surfaced on Twitter shows a large group on the island between Fibbersley and Noose Lane apparently being chased by police officers.

West Midlands Police said 15 officers in total attended and no arrests were made. Around 30 stewards were also present.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Deb Edmonds said officers were looking at the YouTube videos.

"Our football unit are examining the footage," she said.

Manchester fan Robert Mills, 65, saw the violence first-hand.

The retired property industry worker, who had travelled from from Wiltshire to see the match, said: "It was frightening. There were FC United supporters who were 50-70 years of age and quite a few kids.

"I am staggered that the didn't have enough stewards and the police only arrived at 3.30pm.

"I understand from FC United supporters that they were greeted by these hooded youths when they got off the coach and they were allowed into where the FC United fans were.

"They didn't spoil the day, but they could have done and people could have got badly hurt.

"The stewards did as much as they could, but thank goodness nobody was injured.

"I think the two clubs made a mistake not getting enough stewards."

A statement on Sporting Khalsa's website said: "We're conscious of the fact that a small number of local troublemakers seemed determined to spoil the day for everyone.

"We're pretty confident these people had to look up 'Noose Lane' on the school computer during the week in order to find us.

"Let's be absolutely crystal clear, these people are nothing to do with Sporting Khalsa, they're nothing to do with non-league football and are sadly just something society has to tolerate, whether we like it or not.

"You would also think that if you go looking for fights, the pre-requisite is that you're good at fighting. It seems not.

"We've co-operated with our friends at the police, they're happy with the arrangements we put in place and will continue to co-operate.

"We desperately hope the actions of a few idiots didn't take any enjoyment from FC United or any of the neutrals."

Saturday's fixture was the biggest in the club's history as the team played in front of a record crowd of 2,252 on the day.

Boss Ian Rowe said he was 'really proud' of the team and that he hopes people will continue to follow them throughout their league campaign.