An innocent bystander was injured and there was “terror brought to the streets” after clashes between football hooligans.

The violence erupted around the Market Street area of Westhoughton after Bolton Wanderers’ much anticipated match against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

But though the vast majority of fans on both sides enjoyed the game in peace, video footage captured the violence unleashed by a minority.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton South, said: “They are not human beings, they are not just people having a fight, they are scum.

“They brought terror to the streets, to men, women and children and we cannot have that kind of behaviour in Westhoughton.”

Cllr Wilkinson says he believes the fighting was planned ahead of time to try and avoid police intervention.

He said: “I think from the look of it, it’s a pre-planned kick off because the police would have been at the match.

“Obviously there were a lot of police in Westhoughton before the match because I was in town that morning for a meeting and noticed a lot of them around.”

But he says he also noticed a lot of people who appeared to be getting ready for trouble.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “A lot of them seemed to be in Wetherspoons and they didn’t look like they were going in for their breakfasts.”

Events came to a head after Wanderers’ 4-0 defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

The videos show a large group of mainly younger men getting into fights in an open busy road.

The Bolton News: Witnesses have been urged to come forwardWitnesses have been urged to come forward (Image: Public)

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I would say its pathetic but a resident of Westhoughton ended up in hospital, this was bystander who had been caught up in it.”

He added: “That gentleman was on the receiving end of violence and his family are very upset, plus the residents who were just going about their business on Market Street, maybe going for a bite to eat were all caught up in it.”

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Cllr Wilkinson said that he had already passed the videos he had seen on to the police and urged other people to do the same.

Once the hooligans were identified, he said he hoped they would be found and prosecuted to the “full extent of the law".

Cllr David Chadwick, who also represents the area, agreed that strong action should be taken.

He said: "The serious disorder on Market Street after Saturday’s match between Wanderers and Wigan has no place in our communities.

“I want to thank Greater Manchester Police for their efforts on the day. 

"Working together with our police, I’m committed to tackling serious crime and anti-social behaviour across Westhoughton.”

Anyone with any information can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.