MESSENGER REPORT
ALTRINCHAM FC's high profile friendly against Manchester United was abandoned after a Robins player was attacked by drunken fans.
Greg Young was physically confronted by a United supporter during a mass pitch invasion five minutes before the end of the game.
It meant the game was called to a premature halt with the visitors' young side leading 3-0.
The incident capped an afternoon of trouble at Moss Lane.
Before kick off a female employee of the club had been attacked by a visiting supporter who had attempted to gain entry to the ground without paying.
Then, at half time, rowdy fans caused damage to the Moss Lane bar, climbing on tables and throwing bottles and glasses through the air.
An unconfirmed amount of alcohol was also stolen from an off-licence on Moss Lane opposite the ground.
As of yet, no arrests have been made.
Now Altrincham vice chairman Grahame Rowley believes the club have to seriously consider whether to call off Tuesday's friendly with FC United, a club set up by breakaway Manchester United supporters.
The Unibond Premier side are expected to bring a large following with them to Moss Lane and there was crowd trouble in the previous meeting between the two teams when fighting broke out on the terraces.
"I have never been so embarrassed in my life," said Rowley.
"This was a sponsors' open day for us but who would want to sponsor the club after seeing scenes like this, I know I wouldn't.
"I think we need to sit down now and decide whether to go ahead with Tuesday night's game. We're not sure at the moment."
Although trouble began before the game, incidents escalated during the second half when visiting supporters in the Golf Road End began to climb on safety barriers and let off smoke bombs.
Then, five minutes before the end, a large group of fans made their way onto the pitch, one of them confronting Young before shoving the defender in his chest.
Some of Young's Altrincham teammates quickly came to his aid before the troublemakers dispersed after the arrival of police.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman added: "We were informed at 3.45pm of a small number of drunken fans who had attended a friendly football game.
"Officers did attend and at that point spirits were deemed OK.
"But a pitch invasion occured, stewards couldn't deal with it and police support was called for.
"By the time police arrived at the scene, the fans had dispersed into the streets of Altrincham. No arrests were made."