THEY THINK IT'S BRAWL OVER

Warring Scottish football thugs jailed after violent clashes in Carlisle

- CRAIG MCGLASSON

TWO gangs of rival Scottish football thugs clashed in a violent brawl that brought terror to an English city centre.

A group of Celtic thugs fought with Hibs supporters near innocent bystanders, including mothers and children, in Carlisle.

Customers at Gallagher's Irish bar in the border city watched in horror as the men - six Glasgow Celtic followers and three Hibs fans - threw chairs and used pool cues as makeshift weapons.

The Hibs group had linked up at a nearby pub on Saturday, October 23, 2021, with fans of Oldham Athletic, who played at Carlisle United that day.

As the kick-off loomed, the Hibernian/Oldham contingent walked to the Carlisle United ground as Celtic fans played pool and drank in Gallagher's.

Carlisle Crown Court heard CCTV captured the violence which erupted after the two groups became aware of each other's presence.

Prosecutor Andrew Evans said there was no evidence of a planned meet but suggested "some pre-existing enmity" between rival supporters.

One of the nine hooligans, Andrew Whitson, whistled with fingers in his mouth having previously held his phone aloft, prior to the battle.

Kieran Ewing threw a pint glass and his twin brother, Owen Hughes, brandished a pool cue before the pair, aged 32, fought with Whitson, 39.

Michael Morton, 28, had collected pool balls and a cue.