Liverpool yobs 'spat on young Whites'

The children - all members of Bolton Junior Whites - claim they really kopped for some crowd abuse after they travelled to Anfield to watch Bolton play in the North-West derby.

As the group of 50 children and adults watched the game in one section of the stands, they claim that some rowdy Reds' fans sitting in the tier above them began spitting and throwing coins.

One furious teenage Bolton fan Nicola Boardman claimed nearby stewards failed to help the group when they complained about the opposing fans' behaviour.

Nicola, of Leighton Avenue, Heaton, has sent a strongly worded letter of complaint to Liverpool soccer bosses, demanding they look into the behaviour of their fans and stewards.

Nicola, aged 15, wrote: "After Michael Owen had scored Liverpool's second goal, we were spat on from your supporters who were sitting behind us and then, not happy with just spitting at us, they started to throw coins as well.

"The most annoying thing about all of this is when we complained to your so-called stewards, they just told us to 'sit down and stop complaining'.

"No attempt was ever made to caution the offenders. I would like to think that if the same thing was happening at the Reebok Stadium, our stewards would do something about it."

A spokesman for Liverpool Football Club said the matter would be investigated.

He added: "Any complaints sent to the club will be thoroughly looked into. We always reply to any letters that we receive and that will be the case here."

Reebok Stadium bosses have promised to contact their Anfield counterparts to highlight the problem.

Bill Longden, who co-ordinates the Junior Whites, said: "To spit on someone and throw coins and cigarette ends is a filthy and disgusting practice and needs to be stopped."

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