FOOTBALLERS and their Pershore club bosses who were chased around Coventry by violent rival fans will consider their future at a meeting tonight.

Pershore Town Football Club could decide to hang up its boots after the clash with Coventry Marconi last Wednesday.

Manager Mick Preece had to be treated at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital after he was attacked during the fracas.

He has now stepped down.

Players were forced to take refuge in people's houses as gangs chased them through the city.

Once police arrived, they had to be locked in a changing room to keep them safe.

One player, who asked not to be named, said he was stunned by the violence.

Secretary Mike Pugh said he hoped the club would survive, but would be seeking assurances about players' future safety.

"Hopefully we'll start to fulfil our fixtures and in time this incident will be forgotten," said Mr Pugh. "But for Mick Preece to retire is a tragedy. We were confident he would get us promoted in the next couple of years."

Wednesday's attack was sparked when a Coventry player was hurt during a challenge. He saw red and lashed out at other players and the referee.