OLDHAM Athletic has apologised after fans smashed windows of their opponents' team coach following their match last night – raising safety concerns for away supporters after several recent incidents.

A last minute winner by Charlie Jolley gave Tranmere Rovers a 1-0 victory away at Oldham's Boundary Park stadium.

After the game, a coach operated by Runcorn-based Anthony's Travel to transport the Rovers team, was left damaged by a small number of Latics followers, who vandalised the vehicle, smashing windows.

In a statement, the home side said: "Oldham Athletic are extremely disappointed in the behaviour of a small minority of so-called ‘supporters’ who decided to attack and damage the Tranmere Rovers coach after the fixture last night.

"The club is working with and giving every support to Greater Manchester Police to help identify those responsible and to ensure they are dealt with in the correct manner going forwards.

"We would also like to offer an unreserved apology to Tranmere Rovers Football Club, its players, staff and supporters for the incident that happened and the distress caused.

"If anyone has any further information on the deplorable act of vandalism that happened, please contact the club direct on 0161 624 4972 and/or supporter.services@oldhamathletic.co.uk where it will be taken in the strictest of confidence, or alternatively you can report it to the Police using 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Oldham Athletic Supporters’ Foundation director Brad Knowles said away coaches have been damaged "three or four times" already this season.

He said: "The message from us is that we condemn this.

"Fans should be able to travel to games safely.

"I think the club needs to look at the policing and stewarding (near the away coach) for matches.

"They need to do more for visiting fans."

Managing partner of Anthony's Travel, Richard Bamber has expressed his frustration following the incident.

He said: "It is very disappointing.

"The coach industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and then to have this which is going to cost £3,000 to repair.

"There is also a worldwide glass shortage at the moment so we are struggling to get the parts in time for the next match.

"The coach is worth £300,000 and is the first of its type in the UK.

"This is the sort of laddish behaviour I do not think any club wants.

"As a business this is devastating for us.

"I have been told by other coach companies that they have had problems outside Boundary Park so it seems there is a problem with security outside the ground.

"The club has contacted me and said what happened is unacceptable and I appreciate them reaching out to us.

"It doesn't help us with paying the bill though."

Tranmere Rovers Trust chairman Ben Harrison went to the match and said he witnessed a group of 20 to 30 home fans "goading" away supporters with a lack of police in the area until officers on horses around.

While he accepts the damage to the coach was caused by a minority of fans, he said: "What we do not want to see is to have a rivalry build up."

He thinks more needs to be done to police the away side of the ground when fans leave the stadium after full time.

On social media, Rovers' vice-chairman Nicola Palios added: "Very disappointing that the windows on Tranmere Rovers team coach were smashed this evening.

"Anthony's Travel don’t deserve that. "If anyone saw anything please let us know."

Chief Inspector Gareth Firth, of Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Oldham district, said: "We are investigating this incident in conjunction with Oldham Athletic Football Club and we will take positive action against any individuals identified.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable at a game that otherwise passed off without any incident and will not be tolerated".

If you have any information contact GMP's specialist operations planning unit on 0161 856 7721 quoting log 1,819 of December 7

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.