STROUD Subscription Rooms general manager, Paul McLaughlin, has released a statement apologising to customers who were affected by Thursday night's fight following England's defeat to Uruguay.

"Following the disturbances at the end of the recent event in the Subscription Rooms, I’d like to apologise to the vast majority of law abiding, football enjoying customers we had in the venue.

"The trouble, right at the end of the match was caused by three or four individuals.

"Our staff reacted professionally and quickly to quell the disturbance, but not, we accept, before innocent customers were caught up in it.

"We removed one of those involved immediately and monitored the others for the remaining minute or two of the game.

"Once we had emptied the venue, my staff and I continued to monitor the forecourt and did our best to prevent any further incidents. Unfortunately, violence flared again.

"At this stage we called the police who attended and dealt with the situation.

"We take the safety of our customers very seriously and regularly review the security of our events with the police.

"It is sad when a small minority can spoil an event for the larger majority and I want to assure customers that we do not and will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and violence within or around our premises and will do everything in our powers to prevent any kind of reoccurrence."