A LOCAL derby football match stopped for ten minutes after players weighed into a terrace brawl.
The fracas broke out 27 minutes into Warlingham v Croydon Athletic match on Saturday, held at Whyteleafe FC's ground in Church Road.
When the referee managed to restore order, he booked four players from each side for leaving the field of play without permission.
For home player Liam Giles it meant he was instantly sent off, having already been booked earlier in the match.
The clash sparked mixed reactions from the teams' bosses.
Warlingham's chairman Steve Rolfe said: "I have been involved in football for 38 years and have never known anything like this to happen.
"One of our fans made some comments to the Croydon goalkeeper, which members of his family who overheard took exception to.
"They did not quite come to blows because some players quickly intervened and stopped them getting to each other.
"There was lots of pushing and shoving.
"Its the sort of thing you do not wish to see."
No one was hurt and the feuding parties shook hands afterwards, he said.
Mr Rolfe added: "Both clubs' officials expressed their shock and disappointment at half-time in the boardroom.
"And we wished each other well for the rest of the season."
Croydon Athletic manager Antony Williams, meanwhile, dismissed the ruck as "banter and handbags".
He tweeted: "There was a small incident between some spectators.
"You cannot blame the lads for helping mates and dads."
His club's chairman, Paul Smith, said: "These were the sort of scenes you see every Saturday night in town.
"It was just a bit of nonsense which had nothing to do with the game."
