A GROUP of football hooligans sparked off a riot in a St Albans pub after England defeated Argentina in a World Cup match on Friday, June 7.

Several people were seriously injured in the 30-man brawl, which involved chairs and broken bottles being thrown, at The Baton pub in The Ridgeway, Marshalswick.

Ambulance and police crews were called to the site just after 6pm.

Four men were arrested for violent disorder, charged with causing grievous bodily harm and later released on bail.

Hertfordshire Constabulary Chief Inspector Tim Bonnett warned fans that officers would treat football-related offences seriously.

He said: "It is a shame that some individuals were not able or responsible enough to enjoy the post-match celebrations peacefully and lawfully.

"Our officers will be visiting licensed premises where there were problems over the next couple of days and advising licensees of the consequences of failing to properly control their premises.

"Offenders can expect to be arrested, charged and bought before the courts."

Staff at The Baton refused to comment.

Meanwhile, thousands of people with football fever set bedside alarms to go off at the crack of dawn on Wednesday, June 12, to watch England's final first-round match against Nigeria live on television from 7.30am.

Many queued to get into pubs for a full English breakfast and a pint, while others watched the crucial game at home and took the day off work or turned up late.

The Crown pub in Hatfield was bursting at the seams with fans, many of whom had booked a £4.95 Beckham breakfast deal which includes a guaranteed seat inside.

A staff member said: "We are a big football pub anyway but we have been rammed full for every single match.

"There were more than a hundred people in this morning and we were ten below capacity for the Sweden match.

"A lot of businessmen came in for the match before going to work.

"Trade has improved but there has been very little trouble.

"Everyone has been very respectful."

The committed St Albans Observer editorial team came in to work early to watch the game at the office.

Normally gridlocked roads throughout the district were deathly quiet during morning rush-hour.

Instead, people scrambled for trains and traffic spilled onto the road before 7am and after 9.30am.

Headteacher of Nicholas Breakspear School Jeremy White restructured the school day to allow pupils to watch the game.

He said: "It only happens every four years, sometimes not even that, so we may as well make the most of it."

June 13, 2002 10:00