Latest news with #WilliamCalderwood
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Moment Bohemians and Derry football thugs attack each other with fireworks
Thugs fired fireworks at their rivals before a football match in Northern Ireland as a terrified child watched on screaming as smoke filled the air - police later said a teen and man were injured This is the shocking moment football thugs attacked one another with fireworks and sticks before a match. The clash between the two sets of thugs erupted moments before a match between Northern Irish clubs Bohemians FC and Derry City FC in Derry. A clip shows the masked thugs, wearing hoodies and tracksuits, waving golf clubs from one side of a metal fence. A person wearing a hooded top was then seen holding a firework launcher which he used to them through the fence. Men on the other side ran to dodge the fireworks with red and greed bursts filling the air. One person from the other side of the fence approached the man with the fireworks as the explosives started to hit the fence. A distressed girl was then spotted running past as she shouted: "Daddy." A man, who was not identified, was then heard yelling: "You're alright, you're alright, you're alright." Smoke soon filled the area with the golf clubs becoming nearly invisible. The rivals then started to pick up heavy metal objects from the ground to throw over the fence. More hooded thugs were then spotted running past the girl and unidentified man as the brawl continued. The clip went viral online and has been seen millions of times since being uploaded to X/ Twitter. Since Friday, the clip has been seen about 2 million times. Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) released a statement about a reported clash between supporters of the two opposing football team. They said the brawl started just before the 7pm kick off on Friday. Police said disorder continued throughout the game and that a teenage boy and a man in his 20s were injured as a result. The fight then continued in Lecky Road and the Lone Moor area with thugs being seen carrying "sticks, bats and iron bars" which were then used in attacks on nearby buildings and cars. Superintendent William Calderwood said: 'We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved. "I would ask anyone with information or footage which could assist us with our enquiries to contact officers at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1637 25/07/25. "A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at The force added at the time that no one had been arrested in connection with the brawl. Police were able to stop the violence with the help from staff at the stadium.
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
MLA condemns 'disgusting and disgraceful' clashes surrounding League of Ireland match
AN MLA has branded scenes of disorder surrounding Friday night's League of Ireland clash between Derry and Bohemians as 'disgusting and disgraceful'. Mark Durkan was speaking after the clubs drew 1-1 in their game at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, with clashes between rival fans in the area before, during and after the game. Police have now launched an investigation and said they believe the clashes were 'pre-arranged'. Two hospitalised The PSNI said they were alerted shortly after 7pm on Friday of two large groups of rival supporters attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars. They also caused damage to buildings and cars parked in the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road areas. A teenage boy and a man aged in his 20s were taken to hospital after being injured. Police said further disorder then occurred in the vicinity of the stadium during and after the football match. Videos of the clashes posted online also showed one group aiming fireworks at rival supporters. "We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved," said Superintendent William Calderwood. 'Organised attack' Speaking after the game, Mr Durkan said that someone could have been killed. "Just back from the Brandywell," said the SDLP MLA for Foyle. "It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack. "Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons. "Local young people were injured — I hope they recover swiftly. "This madness must stop before someone is killed. "It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow. "I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances." Anyone with information or footage that could assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact 101, quoting reference number 1637 of July 25.
Metro
5 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Masked hooligans shoot flares and chuck iron slabs in violent football clash
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Masked football hooligans battered each other with fireworks, golf clubs and iron slabs in a massive fight. Young fans of Bohemians FC and Derry City FC violently clashed before the two teams played each other in Derry, Northern Ireland. At least two men, including one teenager, were injured in the fighting on Friday. In one video, the two groups of youths, wearing masks, hoodies and tracksuits, clashed on either side of a metal fence. One man shoots an endless stream of fireworks 'like a machine gun' at the rival supporters. At the same time, his pals chuck heavy objects over the fence and wave golf clubs. It is at this moment that a little girl can be heard screaming 'Daddy' to an unidentified man. The gut-wrenching cry gets a reply of 'you're all right', before he tells the fighting youngsters: 'Calm down lads'. While some scatter from the missiles coming towards them, some youths on the other side of the fence attack back as the situation escalates. They pick up heavy slabs and throw them back over the railings. Footage from other parts of Derry show huge groups of masked young men attacking each other. Many throw planks of wood, and one can be heard shouting: 'Give it to 'em'. Following the violent scenes, the Police Service for Northern Ireland released a statement about the fights between some supporters of Bohemians FC and Derry City FC. They said the disorder kicked off at 7pm around Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road areas of Derry. It came as the second and third placed teams in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland faced-off. A teenage boy and a man in his 20s were injured in the clashes, which continued throughout the game around the Brandywell stadium. The match was even stopped for five minutes when a flare set fire to the artificial pitch. Superintendent William Calderwood said: 'We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved.' They asked for people to come forward to help with their investigations. No arrests have been made and stadium staff helped to quell the violence. More Trending The football fixture itself ended in a 1-1 draw, with the goals scored shortly before and after half-time respectively. The game was peaceful, in contrast to the scenes outside, with only three yellow cards and no red cards handed out. Local representative Mark H Durkan said the violence had 'all the hallmarks of an organised attack' and said the fighting 'must stop before someone is killed.' He added: 'It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Mum and two children killed in Fermanagh shooting named and pictured MORE: easyJet's summer 2026 sale is here – these are the best destinations to book now MORE: Up to 280 locations of popular store chain are facing closure amid bankruptcy
The 42
6 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Two people injured after rival football fans attack each other at Bohs and Derry City match
POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland are appealing for information after two large groups of rival football fans attacked each other ahead of a Bohemians and Derry City football match last night. Videos posted online show teenagers with their faces covered throwing fireworks at each other and attacking each other with iron bars and bats ahead of the League of Ireland match between the Dublin and Derry teams. Damage was also done to buildings and cars parked in the area where the match was taking place, near Lecky Road flyover in Derry. The PSNI confirmed today that a teenage boy and a man in his twenties sustained injuries as a result of the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment. Advertisement Disorder continued during and after the match around the Brandywell stadium. 'Officers were in attendance and worked along with stadium staff to bring the disorder under control. No arrests have been made at this time,' the PSNI said in a statement. Superintendent William Calderwood said: 'We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved.' The violence has been widely condemned by politicians in Northern Ireland. Local SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, told the Belfast Telegraph that he was left frightened by the violence. Durkan condemned the trouble, saying 'thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons.' 'A bus-load of people – I wouldn't call them fans – came here intent on causing bother,' he said. 'In terms of scale and the level of violence and danger to those in the vicinity, we haven't seen anything like this and I hope we never do again.' A spokesperson for Derry City FC declined to comment. Bohemians and the FAI have also been contacted. Written by Jane Matthews and posted on
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Sticks, bats and iron bars used' in disorder in Derry by 'rival football fans;
There were ugly scenes surrounding the Brandywell on Friday night as police believe there was a 'pre-arranged' disorder by rival football fans. The PSNI are investigating public disorder in the Lecky Road and Lone Moor area where fans were seen 'attacking each other' with 'sticks, bats, and iron bars' while further disorder was seen in the vicinity of the Brandywell. Politician Padraig Delargy said of the incident: 'The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence. 'In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents."That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned."It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.' In a statement from the PSNI when contacted by the Irish Mirror, they said: "Shortly after 7pm on Friday evening, police were made aware of two large groups of rival football supporters in the area attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars and causing damage to buildings and cars parked in the area." The PSNI said a teenage boy and man in his 20s were taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries. "Further disorder then occurred in the vicinity of the Brandywell stadium during and after a football match which was taking place. Officers were in attendance and worked along with stadium staff to bring the disorder under control. No arrests have been made at this time." Superintendent William Calderwood said: 'We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved." The PSNI also urged anyone with footage or who can assist to contact officers at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1637 25/07/25.
