Parents fear for children's safety at football

Junior football was once considered "one of the safest places" to be; YouTube: Rhys Jones tribute at Anfield

Fears are growing that Liverpool could see a repeat of the Rhys Jones tragedy, following the abandonment of a junior football match after gunshots were fired on adjoining land.

The shooting took place on 28th February in Vauxhall , on the William Collins playing fields, and led to many boys, some as young as nine, leaving the field in tears.

Members of a Sunday league team had been threatened by a samurai sword just minutes earlier.

One concerned parent, Simon Valentine, said: “My three sons play schoolboy football and most games I attend feel like a time bomb waiting to go off. You don’t know who could be on the line.”

A 30-year-old Liverpool man, who was arrested at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, has been released on police bail after questioning following the incident

Back in August 2007, 11-year-old Rhys Jones was hit by a stray bullet as he
made his way home from football training in Croxteth. He died in his mum’s
arms shortly afterwards.

Sean Mercer was found guilty of Rhys’s murder and sentenced to life
imprisonment, with a recommendation that he serve at least 22 years before
being considered for parole.

Merseyside Police believe many of the city’s gangsters, who themselves play
amateur football, are settling their disputes with a disregard for innocent
members of the public.

Julia Hodgson, whose son Nicky plays in the under-10s age group, said:
“Like most parents in Liverpool, I send my child to football thinking it is one
of the safest places he can be, and when you hear about something like this
happening it is terribly shocking and frightening.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the parents thought twice before sending their child back to the same playing fields the following week.”

Detective Superintendent John Myles said: "This happened in a public place and it was fortunate that no-one was injured. It was an isolated incident and a targeted attack into which a full investigation is taking place.

"We have already spoken to a number of people although l would urge anyone with information about the incident who we haven't yet spoken with to come forward so we can bring the offenders to justice.

"Merseyside Police will not tolerate any incidents of this nature and I urge anyone who has any information to call us, anonymously if preferred, so that the people responsible can be arrested, charged and put before the courts,” he added.

Police are also investigating reports of gangsters pulling guns on each other in Norris Green the previous week after an amateur match.

In November 2009, a match in Speke was abandoned after rival gangs fought on the touchline of a football match and four shots were fired.

JMU Journalism contacted a representative of the Liverpool County Football Association, but a spokesperson refused to comment on the incidents.

Rhys Jones died in 2007