Under-15s footballer attacked by gang during match

A boys' football league has called for police patrols to protect players as young as seven after they were attacked by a gang of stickwielding youths.

Officers were called after some 50 teenagers converged on the pitches in Holloway and tried to attack a team member.

Two teams were competing in the Camden and Islington Under-15s League - where Chelsea's Joe Cole learned to play - when the incident happened on 11 March. One child suffered minor injuries.

None of the children wanted the police to press charges.

Demina Connor, who is in charge of the league, said: "I don't want it to happen again. I have to ensure the safety of the players."