Chesterfield player arrested after 'assault' on Oldham striker in carpark

Police have arrested a man in connection with an alleged assault of an Oldham Athletic player by a Chesterfield opponent in the players' car park after a game between the two sides earlier this month.

The arrest was made after Oldham provided CCTV footage of the incident, with their National League rivals also promising to help Greater Manchester Police with their investigation.

Hallam Hope, a striker for Oldham, was attacked after a 2-0 home defeat to promotion chasing Chesterfield on September 3 and has not played since.

Oldham released a statement at the time condemning the attack, explaining that it had taken place in the “staff car park” and described it as a “vicious assault”.

The former Everton trainee needed hospital treatment “for serious injuries” according to a club statement published two days after the incident at Boundary Park.

The statement continued: “Whilst the investigation is continuing Oldham Athletic will make no further comment on the incident.

"The club is supporting Hallam and will continue to do so. We wish him a speedy recovery from a dreadful experience.”

The investigation is under way, with the suspect released by police a few days after the assault.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “A man was arrested on September 9, on suspicion of assault following a report of the assault of a man in his 20s, at Boundary Park, Oldham, on 4 September 2022. The suspect has since been released under investigation.”

A Chesterfield statement, released at the time, read: “We are aware of an allegation relating to an unnamed Chesterfield player. We are assisting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further comment will be made at this stage.”