A pre-season football friendly between Salford City and Beverley Town descended into chaos on Tuesday evening, forcing officials to abandon the match amid significant crowd disorder.
North Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation and are seeking to identify more than 50 youths believed to be involved in the incident. The trouble erupted at the Beverley Town ground, casting a shadow over what should have been a routine preparatory game.
Match Abandoned Amid Safety Fears
The match was officially called off due to safety concerns after reports emerged of objects being thrown onto the pitch. The disorder made it impossible for the game to continue in a secure environment for players, officials, and genuine supporters.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed the scale of their inquiry, stating: "We are investigating following a report of disorder at the Beverley Town v Salford City friendly match. Officers are conducting enquiries and reviewing footage to identify those involved."
Club Statements Condemn Unacceptable Behaviour
Both clubs have moved quickly to address the situation. Salford City, co-owned by Manchester United's 'Class of '92' legends, released a statement expressing their disappointment.
"Salford City Football Club is disappointed to report that this evening’s pre-season friendly against Beverley Town has been abandoned due to crowd disturbances," the club said. "The club condemns the unacceptable behaviour of those involved and will work with the relevant authorities on this matter."
Beverley Town also issued a comment, highlighting that the disruption was caused by a minority and thanking the majority of fans for their support.
Focus Turns to Identification and Consequences
The primary focus for North Yorkshire Police is now on analysing evidence, including CCTV and mobile phone footage from the scene, to pinpoint the individuals responsible. The incident serves as a stark reminder that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated at football matches, even at the non-league level.
This event will likely prompt a review of security measures for future fixtures at the ground as the football community looks to prevent a repeat of such unsavoury scenes.
