It has been alleged that spectators armed with weapons such as knives and golf clubs ran onto a Sunday League football pitch as part of a ‘planned attack’ on a rival team, leaving one player with a broken jaw.

The violence occurred at the end of a match between Hulme FC vs Ordsall-based FCC Stars at Turn Moss playing fields in Stretford last Sunday.

Greater manchester Police have launched an investigation into the incident which left a number of players injured and a 28-year-old Hulme player with a broken jaw.

It is alleged that players were attacked with weapons, and were also racially abused.

Officers were called just before 12.50pm to reports of 20-man brawl but the attackers had fled by the time they arrived.

One Hulme FC player was taken to hospital. The 28-year-old victim remains in hospital and will require surgery for a broken jaw, a member of his family confirmed to the M.E.N.

Sergeant Rob Cope, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “We are appealing for witnesses after this horrible attack at a Sunday League football match.

“Violence is never welcome in football, but this was another level. The fact that spectators were armed makes us believe that this was a planned attack and not a case of emotions running a little too high.

“Luckily, the victims in this attack will recover from their injuries, however we could have been dealing with a much more tragic situation, especially when weapons are involved.

“We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the fighting or knows someone involved to get in touch with police.

“No one should lace up their boots for a game of football and be met with this sort of violence.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7655 or 101 quoting the reference number 1045 of 5/11/17, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.