A SHOP owner has been left counting the cost of an unwelcome visit by a gang of football supporters.

The fans stole hundreds of pounds-worth of clothing from his Darlington shop on Saturday.

Now he is warning fellow traders in a neighbouring town to be on their guard when the same set of supporters visit next week.

Supporters of Blackpool Football Club burst into Geoffrey Gillow Menswear, in Grange Road, Darlington, last Saturday afternoon,

A gang of 20 fans jostled shop owner William Gillow, before making off with dozens of designer shirts. They then mingled with the rest of the 2,000 visiting supporters who had travelled to Darlington to watch their team play at Feethams.

Mr Gillow, 46, says he lost stock valued at £450.

Although some of the shirts were recovered, they are unsellable because they had been damaged.

Now he is warning shop owners in Hartlepool to be vigilant when Blackpool plays there next week.

"The supporters were drunk and very aggressive, and although I tried to defuse the situation, they were intent on causing trouble," he said.

"It was obviously well planned, because there were a couple of supporters giving me and my assistant verbal abuse while the others stole the shirts."

Mr Gillow was able to point out a couple of the fans out to police when the game ended, and a search was made of a supporters' bus.

"My concern is this sort of thing could happen again." said Mr Gillow.

A spokesman for Durham police said three men from the Blackpool area were arrested on suspicion of theft. Two were cautioned and the third was bailed pending further inquiries.