A LOCAL football team has been praised by its chairman after players stepped in to save an elderly gentleman who was being attacked by a gang of youths at the weekend.

Worsbrough Bridge Football Club travelled to Chorley on Saturday for their game in the Isuzu FA Vase against Euxton Villa.

A coach-load of fans and players had made the trip but the side lost 2-1 on the day.

While on the way home, the coach stopped five minutes from the ground at a local shopping precinct so the players could pick up supplies for the journey back.

But upon arriving at the precinct, the players and supporters saw an elderly gentleman who was being attacked by a gang of youths.

Chairman Mark Booth told the Chronicle: “When we stopped we saw that there was a group of kids who were targeting this elderly gentleman.

“They were throwing eggs at him and things like that.

“To start with it didn’t seem like much was going off and we thought that the kids were going to get bored and just leave.

“But then one of the young lads did a flying kick and ended up knocking him down the floor.”

The coach-load of players and supporters took no time to rush into action, leaving the bus and saving the man - while also detaining the suspects until the police could arrive.

Mark added: “The fans and supporters rushed off the coach to go and protect him.

“They detained the kids until the police were able to come.

“It was in broad daylight and I couldn’t believe what was happening.”

Mark says he was incredibly proud of the team and the fans for jumping to the man’s rescue - but admits it’s a sign of the times that others were too scared to try and help him.

He said: “It was quite uncomfortable watching it unfold to be honest.

“I don’t know what it says about society.

“People were just walking past.

“But you never know if these people have any weapons on them.

“They definitely picked the wrong time to be doing it - in front of a coach-load of fans and players who were watching on.

“From my point of view it just makes me immensely proud of the young team we have and the supporters.

“They’re a real credit to the community.

“They did what they did to protect this gentleman.

“They had no care about themselves when they went out there.

“It makes you proud that they’re a part of this football club.”