POLICE are investigating after violence erupted between rival football factions at Chester Railway Station.
Officers were called to reports of clashes between Chester and Wrexham supporters on Saturday evening.
Eyewitnesses said they had been forced to seek refuge in a coffee shop during the fight, which was thought to have involved about 20 people.
Bins were thrown and a wet floor sign used as a weapon, witnesses said.
It is thought trouble started after Wrexham supporters arrived in Chester after their match at Southport.
Cheshire Police and British Transport Police officers were called to the scene at 7.45pm on Saturday night following reports of violence, although by the time officers arrived the yobs had dispersed and no arrests were made.
British Transport Police spokesman Glyn Hellam said: “We were called to attend the scene following reports of violence between Chester and Wrexham fans at the train station.
“We attended the scene, as did Cheshire Police, but by the time we had arrived the groups had left the scene and no arrests were made.
“We are now working with police and monitoring CCTV footage of the incident and are looking for people to come forward who may have information on the incident.”
Both football clubs were quick to condemn the actions of fans and expressed their disappointment at the incident.
Chester FC chief executive Pat Cluskey said: “If it is the case, it is disappointing to hear of such an altercation. Chester Football Club is a community club and condemn any violence in the name of football.”
Wrexham FC secretary Geraint Parry added: “Wrexham is now a community trust run club and we have built up an excellent reputation. We strongly condemn any violence that took place on Saturday.”
One eyewitness told how scared commuters had taken refuge in the Costa Coffee shop while the yobs fought with each other in the station building, damaging bins and throwing signs.
Another witness, who had been in the Town Crier pub opposite the station when the trouble started, said: “I usually meet a friend off the train for a drink in the Town Crier and as soon as I walked in you could tell that it wasn’t the usual crowd.
“Some Wrexham fans came in and started having a drink and then it all kicked off.
“Really, there should have been a strong police presence in the train station as they should have realised that Wrexham were returning from an away game and would be stopping in Chester.”
Anyone with information can contact 0800 405040, quoting incident number 480 of January 26.