Dale slam yobs who smashed coach windows
Man held after hit-and-run
AFOOTBALL club say police are investigating after yobs reportedly hurled bricks at the windows of coaches of visiting supporters.
Rochdale FC condemned what the club called ‘totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour that will not be tolerated.’
The League Two side said it was working with Greater Manchester Police to identify those responsible and vowed action would be taken. Doncaster Rovers were visitors to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday and ran out 2-1 winners.
The club said after the match, a number of visiting supporter coaches came under attack after they started their journey away from Spotland.
According to reports, two of six charted Doncaster Rovers coaches were targeted, with many supporters left terrified. One coach is understood to have had wheelchair and disabled passengers on board.
Coach driver Leslie Smart told the Doncaster Free Press: “We had some young families on board for their first ever football match because it was a reasonably short trip, but they now say that they will never ever bring their children to another football match.
“It was scary. It was absolutely shameful. One vehicle that was stoned had wheelchair and disabled passengers on board.”
The Observers understands the outer panes of glass on the coaches were smashed, meaning they could continue onwards to Doncaster safely as the windows are double-paned.
The supporters’ coaches dropped off and picked up on Ings Lane.
In a statement, the club said: “Rochdale Football Club condemns the actions that led to Doncaster Rovers’ supporters coach being damaged during its journey away from the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.
“We sincerely apologise to those travelling on the bus for any distress caused, and would like to place on record that this totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We are working with Greater Manchester Police to identify those responsible and any person(s) identified will be dealt with in accordance with club policy. Three club stadium bans have already been issued, with more to follow.”
A MAN was detained by police after a car was involved in a hit-and-run with a lorry in Rochdale.
Officers spotted a car that failed to stop after crashing with a lorry on Ramsay Street at around 11.40am on Tuesday.
The car was then abandoned on Halifax Road, police said.
A man was detained, officers added, but was taken to hospital as a precaution
He will be taken to custody in due course.
Several emergency services vehicles were pictured on nearby Whitworth Road after the incident.
Police said this was linked to the hit-andrun.
In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: “At 11.40am we spotted a vehicle that failed to stop after colliding with a HGV on Ramsay Street, Rochdale.
“The vehicle was abandoned by the driver a short time later on Halifax Road.
“A man was detained but was taken to hospital as a precaution before he could be brought to custody.”