St Helens Rugby League Club has apologised to a Bradford Bulls fan and his young son who say they were threatened by rival supporters at last week's crunch Grand Final eliminator.

Vince Butler went to the match at Knowsley Road with his son Kane, nine but he said was shocked and angered

by the behaviour of a section of home team's fans.

Mr Butler had won two tickets to the game in a competition organised by the Telegraph & Argus, and sat in the main stand with supporters from both sides to watch the Bulls win through to Saturday's Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos.

Mr Butler, of Mossy Bank Close, Queensbury, said: "We were made up to have won the tickets and the result was great. However, the torrent of serious verbal abuse, threats of violence and aggression, very foul language and racial abuse towards Bulls players was not good for me to put up with, especially when I had my nine-year-old son with me.

"The constant abuse was aimed at us and a number of other Bulls fans in the main stand at St Helens.

"I have been a Bulls fan for more than 15 years and have travelled all over the UK watching rugby league but have never witnessed anything as bad."

Mr Butler said stewards had "laughed in his face" when he had asked them at the end of the game why they had not intervened.

He has written a letter of complaint to the St Helen's chairman and senior management.

Mr Butler said his son was now reluctant to attend future away games.

A St Helens' spokesman said: "We are taking Mr Butler's complaint very seriously and are investigating the incident and will reply to him personally.

"We believe this was an isolated incident and would like to apologise to Mr Butler and his son for any upset caused by Friday night's unfortunate events."

Bradford Bulls spokesman Stuart Duffy, said the club had received no reports of abuse from other Bulls fans after last Friday's game.

He said: "We are appalled at any such behaviour and I am sure St Helens are too.

"I am sure St Helens will do all they can to identify the culprits who are bound to represent a very small minority of their fans.

"We would like to thank the T&A for bringing this matter to our attention and will arrange for one of the players to present young Mr Butler with a free shirt in the near future."