Football boss sent bullet in post

The package was addressed to Cliftonville manager Eddie Patterson

The manager of Cliftonville Football Club in Belfast has been sent a bullet in the post, the club has said.

A police investigation is under way after a parcel containing the bullet was sent to Cliftonville manager Eddie Patterson.

The package was intercepted at a postal sorting office on Wednesday.

However, the news was only released after Saturday's Irish Cup semi-final in which Linfield beat Cliftonville by two goals to one.

Mr Patterson said: "The individual, whoever they may be, has just saddened my thoughts on football.

"They cannot be real football supporters."

'Disgusting'

A Cliftonville spokesman said that it was a "disgusting and sad day for football".

The parcel had been addressed to Mr Patterson at the club's Solitude ground, off the Cliftonville Road in north Belfast.

In a statement released on Saturday, the club said that, with Mr Patterson's agreement, they had not commented until now to avoid disrupting the team's preparations or raising tensions in any way.

"Cliftonville Football Club and the PSNI are treating this as a very serious matter and have offered Mr Patterson and his family every support and assistance at this time," the statement said.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey said the person who sent the bullet was "absolutely sick".

"I trust the police will apprehend whatever idiot has done this. Words like condemnation are an understatement. I'm angry that a man like Edward Patterson should be subjected to that," he said.

A police spokesman said it was not policy to discuss the security of individuals.