A football special train was ‘bombed’ with stones by rival fans as it sped through a station at 50 miles an hour, a court was told yesterday.

Windows were smashed and three passengers and two railway policemen were injured by stones and flying glass.

The train was carrying 300 Birmingham City supporters home from the First Division game against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Mr Peter Fingret, prosecuting at Wakefield West Riding Juvenile Court, said a gang of Leeds fans went by train to Northampton, near Wakefield, and waited for the Birmingham train to pass through.

They decided to bomb it with stones and ballast from the track. Two passengers were cut on the hand and arm and another got glass in his eye. The two policemen were hot on the arm by stones. One of the youths later told police: “Some of the Birmingham lads held scarves out the train windows to torment us.”

Ten youths aged 11 to 16 admitted endangering the safety of passengers , throwing stones at the train and also causing damage totalling £58.50. All were ordered to spend 34 hours at an attendance centre. Seven were also fined £25, and three £10, and all ordered to pay £6.85 costs.

Another five who did not take part in the stone throwing were each fined £5 with £1 costs for for trespassing on the railway.