SHOCKED spectators have spoken of their disgust after a vicious brawl broke out at a youth football game.

Adults watching the game are believed to have got involved in the fight, which broke out between players at the final of the Southend and District U15s Cup, at Roots Hall.

Police were called to the disturbance on Sunday afternoon when trouble started at the end of the game, in which Deaneswood beat Southend Manor 2-0.

Spectator David Mitchell was watching his grandson play in another final.

He said: “One of the losing team’s players didn’t shake his victorious opponent’s hand.

“Instead, he started raining blows to the poor kid’s face.

“This triggered an event I have never seen in watching junior football for over 50 years.”

Another, Kevin Topson, described the scenes as “disgraceful”.

He said: “Southend Manor players attempted to fight Deaneswood players and then adults from the crowd went onto the pitch to get involved.

“Stewards were finding it extremely difficult to keep order.”

Jamie Kean manager of Thundersley-based Deaneswood Youth U15 said: “It spoilt it a bit at the end.

“My boys were not to blame at all. They had just won the cup and were just trying to shake hands with their players.

“We played each other three times in the last month, so there was a bit of needle. We lost the league to them on the last kick of the game, but we shook hands with them.”

Paul Leggett, manager and chairman of Southend Manor, said one of his players was sent off after the game for striking another player.

He said: “After the game, I went to console one of my players.

“I had my back to the crowd for about 30 seconds, and then everything went pear-shaped.

“The player sent off was ranting that the Deaneswood manager had hit him.

“I had to drag him away. But I didn’t see any punches being thrown and I didn’t see what started it.

“About 20 to 30 members of the crowd came on the pitch. I don’t know who they were.”

Mr Leggett said his assistant manager called the police.

He also said the player who was sent off will be punished by the club as well as the league.

Deaneswood manager, Jamie Kean, said on the club’s website he was simply restraining the Southend Manor boy to stop him hitting his players.

Essex Police spokesman, Bill Stock, said: “Police are still investigating to establish if any criminal offences were committed.”