Blackpool football club has issued a statement after a fan died in a mass brawl that took place after the team faced Burnley at the weekend.
Tony Johnson was attacked outside The Manchester pub in Blackpool as the fight broke out between approximately 15 people at about 7:00pm on Saturday (4 March).
Officers who responded to the scene said a man in his 50s suffered a serious head injury in the brawl. They administered CPR at the scene, after which he was taken to hospital.
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Blackpool FC confirmed the news of Johnson's passing in a statement today (6 March), saying: "Blackpool FC is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the news that supporter, Tony Johnson, tragically lost his life earlier this morning.
"The Club will be offering an open book of condolence from 4pm in the Moretti Lounge, giving supporters the opportunity to pay their respects to Tony."
The team invited supporters to lay flowers for Johnson at the Mortensen Statue behind the North Stand at 4pm today along with the Club's staff and players, 'giving everyone associated with the football club the chance to come together and remember a lifelong Seasider'.
"All of the thoughts of everyone at the football club go out to Tony's family and friends," the statement added. "Rest in peace, Tony."
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In the wake of the fight, police are working with both Blackpool and Burnley football clubs to determine exactly what happened on Saturday evening and who else was involved.
Detectives are asking anybody with information about the events to get in touch.
DCI Tracey McMurdo, of Lancashire Police, said officers were in the area when they were made aware of a 'group of people fighting outside the nearby Manchester pub'.
"Officers were in immediate attendance and provided medical assistance, before the man was taken to hospital," she said.
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McMurdo also said a man was arrested at the scene.
“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will do everything in our power to identify anybody who may have been involved," she continued. "This type of violence is simply not acceptable on the streets of Lancashire."
“We are now appealing for information and are asking anybody who can help to get in touch straight away. Perhaps you have mobile phone or dash cam footage, or perhaps you saw all or part of the incident as it happened. Whatever you know, please tell us."
Anyone with information on the incident is being urged to contact police on 101, quoting log 1262 of March 4th, or report it online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk.
Emily Brown