OLDHAM Athletic is working "closely" with police to make sure matchdays are safe despite complaints there is not enough protection for away fans after a visiting team coach was vandalised.
Tranmere Rovers snatched a last minute 1-0 victory at Boundary Park on Tuesday night but after the game finished two of the visitors' team coach windows were smashed, causing £3,000 of damage to the high-spec vehicle.
In a statement, Latics said the club was "extremely disappointed in the behaviour of a small minority of so-called 'supporters' who decided to attack and damage the coach".
It added that it was working with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to identify the yobs who vandalised the coach.
"We would also like to offer an unreserved apology to Tranmere Rovers Football Club, its players, staff and supporters for the incident that happened and the distress caused", the club said.
The damage to Tranmere Rovers' team coach being assessed on Tuesday night
But after the unsavoury incident, Oldham Athletic Supporters’ Foundation director Brad Knowles, Tranmere Rovers Trust chairman Ben Harrison and Richard Bamber, managing partner of Anthony's Travel, operator of Rovers' coach Anthony's Travel, said they have been told about trouble happening outside the ground on previous occasions.
Mr Knowles, who condemned the culprits, said away coaches have been damaged "three or four times" already this season.
But he thinks the club needs to look at policing and stewarding operations to provide stronger protection for away fans.
Mr Harrison, who went to the match, also said he witnessed a group of 20 to 30 home fans "goading" away supporters after leaving the stadium with a lack of police in the area until officers on horses around.
He believes a stronger police presence is needed too.
After worries over the level of policing emerged, a club spokesman said: “We adhere to our responsibility financially within the footprint of the stadium on match days.
"Anything that goes on outside of Boundary Park naturally becomes a police matter, who we continue to work closely with to make sure fixtures take place safely and with as little disruption as possible to local residents and supporters."
Boundary Park
GMP has been approached for a comment on the perceived lack of policing on matchdays.
In regards to the incident on Tuesday, Chief Inspector Gareth Firth, of GMP's Oldham district, said: "We are investigating this incident in conjunction with Oldham Athletic Football Club and we will take positive action against any individuals identified.
"This behaviour is completely unacceptable at a game that otherwise passed off without any incident and will not be tolerated".
If you have any information contact GMP's specialist operations planning unit on 0161 856 7721 quoting log 1,819 of December 7.
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