Blackpool fan dies after attack outside pub with mass brawl involving 15 people
A Blackpool fan has tragically died after an attack outside a pub led to a mass brawl involving 15 people.
Tony Johnson was confirmed to have died in the early hours of this morning following the incident that took place following a match between Blackpool and Burnley over the weekend.
He was attacked outside The Manchester pub, in Blackpool, during an altercation around 7pm on Saturday and suffered serious injuries - there is no suggestion he was specifically targeted.
Officers were in the area of the pub following the Blackpool v Burnley football match and they attended and found Tony had suffered a serious head injury.
They administered CPR at the scene and the 55-year-old man from Blackpool was rushed to hospital, where he would later die.
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It is believed the altercation broke out between a number of football fans.
In a statement, Blackpool FC said: "Blackpool FC is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the news that supporter, Tony Johnson, tragically lost his life earlier this morning.
"The Club will be offering an open book of condolence from 4pm in the Moretti Lounge, giving supporters the opportunity to pay their respects to Tony.
"Supporters are also invited to lay flowers at the Mortensen Statue behind the North Stand at 4pm today along with the Club's staff and players, giving everyone associated with the football club the chance to come together and remember a lifelong Seasider.
"All of the thoughts of everyone at the football club go out to Tony's family and friends.
"Rest in peace, Tony."
The Manchester pub - where the brawl took place (Google Streetview)The Armfield Club shared the news of Tony's passing, and said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news that our good friend Tony Johnson has passed away during the early hours of this morning.
"It's very difficult to put into words how we all feel on this day, and all of our thoughts are with Tony's partner and family. He did not deserve this to happen to him.
"Tony was Blackpool through and through, and one of the best friends ever likely to cross your path in life. Devastated is an understatement."
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding and has since been bailed, pending further enquiries, until June 1st.
Eyewitness Marie Kelly posted: "Saw this unfold as this poor guy was being worked on. All this over a football game.
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"It was such a devastating scene not just for those involved but the emergency services having to deal with it."
And speaking afterwards, a local takeaway worker said: "There were two groups having words after the match. I didn't see the fight but I saw a WPC working on him - doing CPR."
Police are working with both Blackpool and Burnley football clubs to establish who else was involved in the incident and what exactly occurred.
Detectives are also asking anybody with information about what happened to get in touch.
DCI Tracey McMurdo, of Lancashire Police, said: “Sadly Mr Johnson died in hospital overnight and his family are, understandably, devastated. We are supporting them at this difficult time and are determined to get them answers about what happened.
“The investigation continues and we will pursue anybody involved to bring them to justice.
"We now continue to appeal for information about what occurred. The incident took place in a busy area and we know there were a lot of people around at the time who will have seen all or part of what happened. There may also be people who filmed the incident on a mobile phone or captured it on CCTV or dashcam.
“If you do have any footage, and have not yet been in contact with us, please get in touch.
“At the heart of this is a grieving family, who are incredibly distressed by what has happened, so we also ask that if you have any footage you do not share it on social media. If you have already done so, we respectfully ask that you remove it.”
Anybody with information should call us on 101, quoting log 1262 of March 4th, or report it online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
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