From the Evening News, June 17, 1992 - BOLTON soccer thugs are feared to be at the forefront of the European football violence which has shamed Britain.

Several fans have been identified from photographs in the national press and on television. Police officers in Britain and Sweden are now studying the pictures in a bid to track down fans responsible for the violence, which they believe has been carefully planned. A Swedish police spokesman said last night that fans from Bolton were among the troublemakers. At least three people from Bolton were among the 20 English thugs arrested after violence in Malmo's Stortoget square earlier this week.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

June 17, 1977

A REPORT that the engagement of Prince Charles and Princess Marie Astrid of Luxembourg is about to be announced was denied today by a spokesman for the princess's father. The denial follows a firm rejection of the claim by Buckingham Palace. The report, in today's Daily Express, said a formal announcement would be made on Monday. Today's reports follow months of gossip column speculation that the 28-years-old prince would soon be engaged to the princess, who is 23.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

June 16, 1952

BEHIND the selection of a Bolton cotton operative to wrestle for England in the Olympic Games, there is a curious story. Les Cheetham, a fly-weight and member of the Bolton Harriers Club, is now definitely in the team going to Finland on July 13th because his Yorkshire rival, Walter Pilling, has failed to meet him in trials ordered by the Wrestling Association. These tests should have been completed by Saturday next, but Pilling has declined to take part in them, believing he should be the chosen fly-weight as British champion at the weight.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

June 17, 1902

CONSIDERABLE amusement was occasioned at the Town Hall, this morning, during the hearing of a case in which Catherine Cunningham, an elderly, garrulous Irish woman, was charged with stealing three skirts, a bodice and a shawl. Mr J.H. Hall appeared to prosecute, and it appeared that the prisoner was taken out of the Workhouse three months ago to keep house for a widower, named Thos. Darwen, 19, Baber-st., Astley Bridge.

Up to Tuesday, prosecutor had no reason to doubt prisoner's honesty. On that day when he returned from his work he found prisoner had gone, leaving his two children alone in the house. The property, valued at £1 14s, was afterwards missed, a portion having been pledged with Mr James Leach, 44, Blackburn-rd, and the Exors of Alice Makin, Manor-st.

Prisoner, who was apprehended by P.C. Jennings, asked prosecutor if he had not given her the articles, and on receiving an answer in the negative she exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, you little villain". She declared she had one foot in the grave and the other out, and would "take her oath on a hundred books that she had not stolen the property." On being sentenced to three months' hard labour, prisoner turned towards the prosecutor, and ejaculated, "If my three sons don't make mincemeat of you before you leave Bolton, you little monkey . . ." Amidst suppressed laughter, she disappeared below.