Star bar brawl
Rickie Lambert’s
pals in pub brawl
By NEIL SYSON
Published: Today
SOCCER striker Rickie Lambert was caught in a mass pub brawl after table-topping Southampton's Boxing Day win.
The Championship's leading scorer, 29, was celebrating with 20 family and friends — including his mum and dad — who had travelled from his native Liverpool.
But police were called when a landlady was left flailing in a Christmas tree, a car was vandalised and a barmaid was struck by a pool cue.
The trouble flared after one local quipped that Lambert would be out for six months because of the lager he was drinking. Another had difficulty understanding the group's Liverpool accents.
One customer said: "Everyone bundled in. There was a massive heap on the floor. It seemed to be Scousers versus the locals."
A source close to Lambert said: "Rickie did not get involved in any violence. He was just trying to get his family outside."
Landlady Dee Fleming, 55, said the footballer's group had been toasting a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Baddesley Arms, Southampton, from 6pm to 11.15pm when the fight started.
She said: "Rickie's brother-in-law got punched and was bleeding. His dad, who's in his 50s, was knocked down by a punch to the head."
Police confirmed they went to the pub but made no arrests.