Police avoid football fans clash at Lincoln train station

10:48 am This story is over

— Update on August 6: Seven dispersals and three arrests for rowdy Lincoln and Leicester football fans

Lincolnshire Police managed to avoid a clash between Lincoln City and Leicester City fans at the city’s train station on Saturday night.

This comes after police received information that the match may be disrupted by people travelling to Lincoln with the intention of causing serious disorder in the city.

On Friday, it has been decided to cancel the match on the grounds of public safety.

Some fans did come into Lincoln on Saturday, as they were not aware the match was cancelled, so a significant police presence could be seen across the city centre.

Lincolnshire Police attended an entire train carriage from Leicester before it reached the train station, just before the level crossing on Brayford Wharf East.

Several police vehicles were stopped at the crossing as well, while officers inspected the Leicester carriage, which had an issue with the breaks.

Steve Prescott, CEO at Lincoln City FC, said on Twitter: “The club are devastated at having to cancel the game. The evidence put to us by the police left us no choice.

“The reported organised trouble in Lincoln confirms that we made the right decision in cancelling the friendly match.

“LCFC wanted the game to go ahead. The income was needed to help the club survive. But we couldn’t shirk our responsibilities to the public.

“This game was cancelled by planned violence organised by a large number of Lincoln hooligans, many of whom claim to support the Imps.

“Lincoln and Leicester thugs organise violence in Lincoln, terrorise families and cost the club tens of thousands of pounds in lost gate receipts.

“Any ‘so called’ Lincoln City fans involved in today’s violence are not welcome at the 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium,” he added.