Accrington Stanley’s end of season party ended in violence when the club’s general manager was knocked unconscious.

Blackburn magistrates heard trouble began when a group was asked to leave the event at Accrington Stanley Social Club on the night of the last game of the season.

The party was attended by staff, players and fans after Stanley had lost at home to Crawley Town on May 5.

General manager Robert Houseman went to investigate trouble when Kurt Moore and his sons were asked to leave, but he ended up being punched in the face.

And a second man who went to help was also assaulted as he tried to phone the police.

Moore, 40, of Horsfall Close, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Houseman and Francis Hartley. He was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation to Mr Houseman and £870 to Mr Hartley whose spectacles and mobile phone were broken in the attack. He was also banned from the Accrington Stanley Social Club for two years.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said Mr Houseman became aware of several people being asked to leave the club and went to investigate.

“He asked the defendant if he was alright and without any verbal response Moore punched him causing a cut above his eye which bled profusely,” said Mr Ainge.

Mr Hartley was with his disabled son who had become upset at the disturbance. He went outside and saw Mr Houseman being assaulted and took out his phone to call the police. As he did he was punched in the face causing his glasses to smash cutting his face. At the same time his mobile phone fell to the floor and smashed.

“Both victims were assaulted for no apparent reason,” said Mr Ainge.

Scott Parker, defending, said Moore had not gone out that night intending to go to the Stanley club but ended up there with his wife, two sons and his parents. He said one of the defendant’s sons had too much to drink and became argumentative with his brother.

They were asked to leave and there was trouble outside involving other men.

Mr Parker said his client, a manager for Hydrair Truck and Trailer, did not know Mr Houseman or that he was the club’s general manager, he said: “He lashed out recklessly and pleads guilty on that basis.”

Speaking after the court case Mr Houseman said: “It was just somethig that happened. I wasn’t targeted, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”