A Hartlepool football fan was killed and a number of supporters were involved in violence after they travelled to Holland to watch their team play a pre-season friendly game.

The unnamed dead man, believed to be 20 and from the Throston area of the town, died in the early hours of Saturday after being struck by a bus near the train station in Amsterdam.

He was among about 80 fans who had made the trip to the Vriendschappelijk Stadium to watch their club take on FC Eindhoven on Friday night.

Tributes to the dead man have already been posted on the unofficial supporters' website.

Dutch police are not naming the fan until all his family have been informed.

Last night, his father was understood to have flown to Holland.

An Amsterdam police spokesman said: "The man was hit by a bus at about 12.30am on Saturday. He was killed instantly. No one else was hurt.

"The driver of the bus is in a severe state of shock. It seems the man appeared out of nowhere. The police will continue to investigate exactly what happened and there will be an inquest. This appears to be a tragic accident and our thoughts are with this man's family."

One supporter who caught a train back to the city centre following the game described the events leading up to the fatal accident.

He told The Northern Echo: "He arrived in Amsterdam at about 11.30pm but become separated from his friends in the early hours.

"His friends only found out what had happened when police trying to identify him called at their hotel with a photograph of the lad."

Earlier, the game had been marred by violence after some Hartlepool fans chased home supporters through the main stand.

The group was escorted from the stadium by police.

Hartlepool United owner Increased Oil Recovery Ltd (IOR) issued a statement on the club's website condemning the troublemakers.

It said: "Such incidents spoil the good relationship the club has built up with the people of Holland following successful trips in the last two seasons.

"IOR takes a dim view of football hooliganism and is now considering whether Hartlepool United should compete in pre-season friendlies in the future.

"The club has been in contact with Cleveland Police and will liaise with Dutch authorities in identifying those involved.

"As ever, Hartlepool United will be taking positive steps to ensure that those found guilty are banned from Victoria Park and also dealt with by UK authorities."