WORCESTER City chairman Steve Goode said he had been "very surprised" to learn enquiries would continue into crowd trouble at Ilkeston Town on Saturday.

Town today (Thursday) launched its own appeal to “identify the circumstances and individuals involved” in the incidents which resulted in Derbyshire Police attending the New Manor Ground.

In a statement, Ilkeston thanked “fans who have already helped assist the police enquiries” and called for anyone else with information to come forward.

It follows Derbyshire Police asking for witnesses and people with mobile phone camera footage of what happened.

A group of people known to Goode as Worcester followers twice had to be prevented from confronting other members of the crowd.

No arrests were made but one person was ejected from the stadium by the club according to Ilkeston’s chief operating officer Anthony Redwood.

Both Goode and Redwood expressed no desire to take the matter further when asked on Saturday.

Today’s release said the host club had "no alternative" but to involve the police – a decision Goode confirmed he had supported on the day – who had "since decided to proceed with further enquiries".

"I was stood with another director at the time and as far as we were both aware, the matter had been sorted," said Goode, who confirmed he would be contacting Ilkeston over this latest development.

"I spoke to the police officer on duty and there was no issue whatsoever, he told me that.

"I am very surprised this has come about. To my knowledge there was nothing reported on the day to the police that attended.

"At the time I stated they (Ilkeston) should call the police just to be there to defuse anything that might happen. As far as I was concerned it had been defused.

"I have seen football fights over the years and it was nothing. There was a bit of pushing going on, that was all I saw.

"We called in the lads and said 'pack it in please' and they stopped. That was it. I had a quiet word with them and they have apologised."

ILKESTON TOWN'S STATEMENT IN FULL

Appeal for witnesses to crowd trouble

"On Saturday 26th January 2019, during our home match against Worcester City FC, stewards from Ilkeston Town and senior representatives from both clubs were forced to respond to an incident in the stand at the far end of the ground.

"Due to the nature of this incident, the club had no alternative but to call the police, who arrived quickly to diffuse the situation. They have since decided to proceed with further enquiries and we will be working with them as best we can to identify the circumstances and individuals involved.

"We aim to create a family friendly atmosphere at the New Manor Ground to ensure that everyone is able to attend a safe environment and enjoy the football. To this end, we remind all supporters that we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding both physical and verbal abuse at Ilkeston Town FC.

"We would also like to thank those fans who have already helped assist the police enquiries. Anyone who has any information that may help these enquiries, please do come forward and contact the club so that we can aid the authorities in their investigation. Please do contact via direct message on our Twitter page, or alternatively email: anthony.redwood@ilkestontownfc.co.uk

"We will endeavour to treat all witness statements with appropriate discretion."