Two coaches transporting Blackburn Rovers fans home from Monday’s (May 8) game against Millwall were targeted and smashed by rival fans, and the owner has said he is devastated.
The owner of two coaches, supplied by Oswaldtwistle-based Red Rose Travel, has branded those responsible as "s***houses" and “thugs who have thoughtlessly caused more than £30,000 worth of damage".
The attack took place near The Den stadium, in London, following Blackburn's 4-3 victory over Millwall.
The London based club, whose fans have a notorious reputation for anti-social behaviour, had looked set to be heading into the Championship play-offs after going 3-1 up in the first half.
However, Rovers performed a miraculous second-half comeback, completed by departing striker Ben Brereton, to win 4-3, to leave Millwall with an eighth-placed finish.
Pictures show smashed windows on the coaches, as well as damage to the panels on the bus.
Lee Collard, director of Red Rose Travel, said: “My first worry was about getting everyone out and to safety but we are counting the cost and repercussions of it now.
“I am sure there was some to-ing and fro-ing between fans.
“I am led to believe some Millwall fans came out of a pub and fans started hurling abuse at each other through the window.
“Before you know it missiles and projectiles are being launched at the coach.
“Windows have been smashed, items launched through windows and there is damage to panels on the vehicles.
“There is just no excuse for mindless vandalism… I have no words.”
Terrified Blackburn fans, including families and young children, can be seen in videos crouching behind chairs as objects are thrown at the coaches.
Lee said the drivers of the vehicles have been left feeling “traumatised” and were unable to come into work today (May 9).
He said: “One driver was very shaken and was crying down the phone to us.
“He said he had been attacked and that the supporters were trying to force their way on to the coach through the front door.
“The drivers are traumatised but they have been commended by passengers who said they did a fantastic job.
“There were families, children included, on these coaches.”
The vehicles were deemed too unsafe to drive back to Lancashire so alternative travel arrangements had to be made for the fans.
The coaches will not be back on the road for at least another week.
Lee said those responsible haven’t thought about the repercussions this will now have on a small business.
He said: “No one thought about the repercussions of this. The vehicles were so badly damaged that we weren’t allowed to drive them back up to Lancashire.
“We’ve fought our way through Covid and are doing everything to get back on our feet and then you get some mindless thugs who thing it’s acceptable to do something like this.
“We’ll keep fighting the fight, like we have done for the last two or three years. It’s just an inconvenience.
“Millwall fans don’t seem to care. Judging from our Facebook comments they think it is hilarious.
“We will do away game commutes again in the future but I don’t think we’ll be going back to Millwall.”
The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment.
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