POLICE were called to a “public order incident” at a match between Kinmel Bay FC and Rhuddlan Town FC last weekend.

This was at the Morfa Leisure Centre, on Cader Avenue, last Saturday (November 26).

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “We received a call at 3.48pm on Saturday, November 26 reporting a public order incident involving participants at a football match at Kinmel Bay Leisure Centre.

“Officers attended and following discussions, we understand the matter will be reported to the Welsh FA.”

The two sides were contesting a match, which was ultimately abandoned, in the North Wales Coast East Football League Premier Division; the fourth tier of the Welsh football league system.

Since the match, Rhuddlan Town’s manager, John Barnes, has resigned.

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In a statement on Monday evening (November 28), Rhuddlan Town said: “The club today has reluctantly accepted John ‘Barney’ Barnes’ resignation as Rhuddlan Town manager.

“The club would like to thank ‘Barney’ for saving the club from folding a month before the season started.

“Barney has added some fantastic players to the club; Barney leaves the club guiding us to second place in the league currently and into a quarter final in the Cookson Cup.

“A announcement will be made soon regarding Barney’s replacement.”

A spokesperson for Kinmel Bay FC said the trouble started when a Rhuddlan player was sent off.

They said: "The match was abandoned and afterwards, the referee was feeling threatened and afraid to leave the leisure centre because the Rhuddlan players were not dispersing, as they were hanging around outside the centre and car park.

"To ensure the safety of the referee, the leisure centre staff called the police.

"There is already a shortage of referees in North Wales, with some men's reserve games having to be played on a Sunday, which then leaves fewer officials for the women's games.

"Players have to realise that if they continue to abuse referees, there will not be enough refs for their games to be played, and that's beside the fact that they will be banned from playing football for a very long time."

Attempts have also been made to contact Rhuddlan Town FC, Football Association of Wales, and the North Wales Coast Football Association for further comment.