Ashville Football Club has condemned the scourge of knife crime after a teenager was stabbed outside its stadium in Wallasey.
Emergency services were called to the club on Cross Lane at around 1am today, February 4, following reports of the stabbing. The victim, a 19-year-old male, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening stab and slash wounds to his arm and abdomen.
A 21-year-old man from Woodchurch was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent, affray, and possession of a bladed article, and remains in custody.
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In a statement following a police appeal, an Ashville Football Club spokesman said: "Ashville Football Club have been made aware of a horrific attack which saw a young man get stabbed in the vicinity of Ray Parker Stadium and Wallasey Rugby Club at approximately 1am this morning, Sunday February 4.
"The club have been made aware of a Merseyside Police statement that suggested that the incident may of been related to a function being held at Ray Parker Stadium on Saturday night. Our function finished at around 11:30-11:45pm and we are happy to confirm that there were no issues with any of our guests and that the venue was cleared and locked up long before the attack took place.
"As this is an active police investigation, it would be improper of Ashville Football Club to discuss the matter further. We would, however, urge Merseyside Police to amend their statement to avoid our wonderful club being the victims of misinterpretation. Inaccuracies such as these can cause clubs, businesses and venues to lose public trust which in turn has a damaging effect on bookings and event attendance, our two biggest sources of income. With that being said, we are stronger together and the club are helping Merseyside Police with their enquiries and we hope the offender is brought to justice for their heinous crime.
"Ashville Football Club would like to place on record that we are vehemently opposed to crime and violence of any kind. We remain dedicated in the fight to eradicate knife crime from not only our community, but the nation as a whole. There is never a good reason to carry a knife and those who do carry them only seek to bring pain and devastation to our communities."
Urging witnesses to contact the police, the spokesman added: "Your information helps to catch and keep these dangerous individuals off our streets so we urge anyone with information to come forward and do the right thing. Being a criminal isn't 'cool' or 'fun' and neither is helping them. Let's eradicate this culture of silence and make our communities safe and pain free once again."
Detective Inspector Sam Davies said: “Although a man has been arrested, we are still appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to please get in touch.
“We are aware that there were two separate parties taking place at the two venues – Ashville Football Club and at Wallasey Rugby Club, both off Cross Lane. We also understand that the assault took place on Cross Lane shortly after both functions had finished, and that a number of people attending both venues may have witnessed the stabbing take place.
“If you witnessed the disturbance or the stabbing or were driving past the area and have dashcam footage, then please get in touch as it could be vital to our enquiries.”
If you have any information, contact the police's social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with any further information, quoting 24000144521.
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