FOOTBALL bosses have spoken of their anger and disbelief after a mass brawl in which players and fans threw punches and launched flying kung-fu kicks erupted during an amateur cup match.

Witton Park Rose and Crown were 3-0 up against Liverpool-based team the Black Bull in the All England Cup when fighting broke out at Willington FC's ground as supporters looked on in horror.

The incident follows numerous violence-marred football fixtures in County Durham and it is understood players who were involved in the fighting could face lengthy bans from the FA.

Witnesses said they were stunned by the scenes which appeared to have been triggered by the ball going out of play in the 68th minute.

They said following a minor touchline scuffle, dozens of fans, the majority of which belonged to the away team, invaded the pitch.

Video footage posted on social media shows supporters and players throwing punches and kicking each other in the incident which is said to have lasted about three or four minutes.

It is then believed players from the Black Bull refused to restart the game claiming to be “intimidated” by the County Durham side.

Stan Thexton, chairman of Witton Park Rose and Crown, said he had never experienced anything like this in all his years involved in the club.

“There was a bit of a scuffle near the dug out when the ball went out of play. It should have for the referee to sort out, but then the fans ran onto the pitch.

“Their players then said they wouldn’t play on because they felt intimidated by us. We couldn’t believe it.

“We really don’t know what is going to happen as they failed to fulfil the fixture. We are going to have to wait to see. We have never played them before.

“We have never had anything like this before and you do not expect it to happen. I am really mad about the situation.”

Victory for the Witton Park club would have seen them reach the last eight of the competition – the draw of which is due to take place tomorrow.

Dave Robinson, chairman of the FA Sunday Cup committee, said no decisions about the outcome of the game would be made until all the reports had been received.

This is not the first time this season there has been trouble in this competition. In October, several men turned up dressed in balaclavas and carrying weapons at the start of the second half of a game between Thornaby Village and Wrekenton Blue Star, in Wrekenton, near Gateshead.

There have also been other incidents at matches across the region in recent months.

An investigation was launched by Durham FA last summer after Spennymoor Town players refused to come out for the second half because they feared they could be seriously injured by the tough tackling of their Newton Aycliffe opponents.

And two people were arrested when a parent stormed the pitch and grabbed a player at a match between Bishop Auckland Under-15 Aces and a team from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in July.

Richard Tremewan, chairman of Willington FC, where the game on Sunday was held, said he was shocked by what had happened but would not hesitate to host another game for Witton Park Rose and Crown.

“I feel wholeheartedly sorry for Witton Park,” he said. “They were winning 3-0 and in a commanding position. There was a little bit of argy bargy, like you get at a lot of games but then it just blew up into a mass brawl.

“I think 95 per cent of the supporters who stormed onto the pitch were from Liverpool.

“We were only the hosts as Witton Park needed a ground with better facilities than they have for the game. I wouldn’t hesitate to host Witton Park again.”

No-one at Durham FA was available to confirm whether an investigation will be launched.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said nothing had been reported to them and it would only be investigated if a complaint was made.

  • Were you at the game? Call Dani Walker on 01388-490663