Rugby club bosses have vowed to ban a middle-aged fan for life after he terrorised a five-year-old Bradford Bulls supporter.

Little James Goldspink was left in tears after the Hull Sharks' follower snatched a Bulls' hat from his head, tried to rip it up, then threw it to the ground before walking off.

And they say the youngster, of Hollybank Road, Rastrick, is now too frightened to go to another game.

Today bosses at the Hull club have pledged to make every effort to identify the supporter - a man in his late 40s to early 50s - and ban him from their ground for life.

The incident happened on Sunday at Odsal after the Bulls' 38-18 win over the Sharks.

James was with his mother's cousin Deborah Barraclough, 33, of Silver Birch Close, Wyke, her daughters Kirsty, 12, and Lisa, nine, and her mother, Pauline Kidwell, 57, of Greenacre Close, Wyke.

Catering assistant Mrs Barraclough said: "James was hysterical and wet his pants because he was so frightened. He cried all the way home.

"It was only the third time he had been to a Bulls' match. He said, 'I don't want to go again' and I tried to reassure him it wouldn't happen again."

She said the incident occurred as they were walking back to their parked car after the match amid a large group of Sharks' fans chanting abuse, jeering and taunting Bulls' supporters.

Some even sat down in the middle of the road outside the stadium refusing to let cars pass until the police intervened.

Mrs Barraclough added: "It was awful and frightening. The children were hysterical. My eldest was shaking, she was so upset."

Now Hull bosses have promised action if they can identify the culprit. Club secretary Brian Johnson said: "We are totally appalled by the behaviour of this man. I can't begin to express how I feel about this big yobbo taking the hat off a young child in this way.

"We can assure you when this person is identified he will never set foot in the Boulevard again."

Hull had to apologise to Bulls fans earlier in the season after a hostile reception when they played at the Boulevard in April.

The Bulls have also condemned the fan's actions and are to write a strong letter of protest to the club.

As a consolation, they have offered to replace James's cap and free tickets for him and his family to see the next home game against Castleford on Bank Holiday Monday.

James' father, Andrew, has also written a letter of complaint to the Hull club and has asked for it to be published in their next programme. He and his wife Julia are awaiting a reply.

Mr Goldspink, 29, said: "I am absolutely disgusted a grown man behaved in this way to a child. I am pleased the club is going to ban this man when they find out who he is."

His letter says: "I would just like to say to this man 'I hope your conscience is clear and you can sleep at night' because my son can't.'. He was and still is heartbroken by this incident."

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