A CLITHEROE footballer has pleaded guilty to a serious assault during a 21st birthday party.

Steven Mercer, a former soldier from Oswaldtwistle, had attended an awards presentation evening at Clitheroe Football Club moments before the attack.

The 25-year-old, left the evening and went to Clitheroe Social Club in Wellgate, where he attacked two people during a birthday party on April 29 this year.

Mercer pleaded guilty to assaulting Alexander Lee Holt causing him actual bodily harm and with the unlawful wounding of Mr Holt’s uncle, Brian Wakeling.

He pleaded not guilty to the more serious charge of wounding with intent of Mr Wakeling.

Judge Russell told Mercer to expect a prison sentence during a hearing at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

Police said that Mercer headbutted Mr Holt in the face causing a suspected fracture and bloody nose during the attack.

Mr Wakeling intervened during the attack on his nephew and Mercer smashed a glass in his face causing severe cuts to his nose and mouth, police said.

Following the attack Mercer escaped from the social club and was arrested at a later date.

The two victims were taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries to their face and Mr Wakeling needed extensive internal and external stitches.

The court heard that the attack took place following an argument between Mr Holt and Mercer.

As a condition of bail Mercer is banned from entering Clitheroe except for training or playing in a football match.

Ann Barker, chairman at the Clitheroe Football Club, said: “Steven has been with us on a semi-professional basis since March 2011.

“During this time his commitment to his game and to his training has been exemplary.”

Mercer will be sentenced at a hearing in Preston Crown Court on December 20.