Men held after Kidderminster football fan stabbed

A football fan was stabbed and another taken to hospital after their coach was attacked on the way home from a match.

The two men were among five bus-loads of supporters who had travelled to support Kidderminster Harriers in their non-league away fixture against Luton Town FC yesterday.

Bedfordshire Police said that as the coaches queued in traffic about a mile from the Kenilworth Road ground an argument broke out between "local residents" and the Kidderminster supporters in the rear coach.

It happened after the game ended as the vehicles were leaving Luton on the return journey, police said.

"It led to the coach being attacked," said a police spokesman.

"Then some of the supporters got off to remonstrate and a fight ensued.

"Two Kidderminster fans are being treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries, although one was stabbed twice."

Four local men have been arrested and police are investigating the violence which broke out in Dunstable Street near the Mansfield Road junction.

Police said the attackers did not appear to have any connection to Luton Town.

Kidderminster won the Conference Premier fixture 2-1, leaving them top of the table.

Steve Millington, chairman of the Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust, said: "We deplore the attack on the coach.

"This shouldn't happen in football or in society in general.

"We're pleased to hear the injuries to the lad who was stabbed are not thought to be life-threatening and wish both those who were taken to hospital a speedy recovery."

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it had taken two men to hospital.

"We conveyed two people, one a 38-year-old man, to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital."

PA