Three Bolton Wanderers fans have been given banning orders for their involvement in an assault on a group of Wigan Athletic fans.

Dylan Needham, 17, Callum Seddon, 29, and Joshua Stodart, 21 appeared before Bolton Combined Courts on Wednesday December 11 where they were handed the football banning orders.

On Saturday December 1, the three men were part of a larger group of men who entered the Bee Hive pub on Chorley New Road in Horwich, which is a dedicated away supporters pub on matchdays.

Whilst outside the pub, the group approached a small number of Wigan Athletic supporters and began to assault them.

The disorder continued and spilled into the pub, where further Wigan supporters were also attacked.

Police attended and those present, including Needham, Seddon and Stodart fled the scene.

They were stopped a short time later and given dispersal notices instructing them to leave the area.

Police Constable Matt Ford, of the Specialist Operations Planning Unit, said: “This was an unprovoked violent incident which would have been extremely frightening for anyone who was in the pub at the time.

“Thanks to the quick response of officers, the disorder was quickly brought to an end.

“The majority of supporters were extremely well behaved before, during and after the game, but, unfortunately, there can sometimes be a minority intent on causing trouble.

"These banning orders should send out a message to any supporters that are considering committing offences on a matchday.”

Needham, of Catherine’s Court, Richmond Street, Horwich, and Stodart, of Norbreck Close, Great Sankey, Warrington, received a three year banning order, whilst Seddon, of Varley Road, Bolton, received a four year banning order.