Public officials yesterday expressed disgust while football fans admitted being terrified after spectators stormed a soccer field brandishing weapons.

A machete, Samurai sword, hammers, knives and other disturbing looking man-made weapons were some of the weapons people reported seeing when the ugly incident erupted at the Devonshire Recreation Club on Tuesday night.

The unrest spilled onto the pitch late during the Martonmere cup semi-final clash between Devonshire Colts and Devonshire Cougars.

According to eyewitnesses, a disturbance broke out among two feuding groups in the crowd situated on the eastern embankment of the grounds. Three individuals jumping off the bank - with one said to be in possession of a machete. The culprits then reportedly ran across the pitch while their pursuers are said to have run behind the clubhouse.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome was at the match and he was appalled by the violence, which took place in front of a number of families.

"I am very concerned about these idiots. I was very pleased when I got to the game and I saw the size of the crowd and also looking at the calibre of the football the that was being played.

"I think that fans have started to come out and really appreciate the game and there's only idiots like these that are beginning to discourage people who would want to bring their families out - and there were quite a number of families out last night (Tuesday) with young children.

"I was totally stunned," said one spectator present during the incident. "I saw a machete, a samurai sword and baseball bats. I had three children with me and it wasn't a good scene at all."

The fan said she wasn't sure whether she wanted to go to another game.

"That incident has certainly turned me off a bit, but in the future I will have to give a lot of thought to returning to matches that are being held at Devonshire Rec."

The game was temporarily halted after at least one man ran across the pitch wielding a machete. The culprits all left the ground via the northern gates.

This latest incident also follows another melee at BAA Field on September 28, when a fight broke out behind the southern goal and one person was admitted to hospital with suspected broken ribs.

During the 2000/01 season, Bermuda Football Association (BFA) officials temporarily suspended matches after a spate of disturbances left match officials fearing for their safety, while only recently, BFA secretary David Sabir made the suggestion that high-tech security cameras should be installed around the Island's various grounds.

Mr. Bascome said he recognised two of the men involved in the incident.

"I am very concerned that our young men have to make it a public display of the issues that they may have with other young men.

"It is nothing new, but I honestly believe that it's just not up to the Police or the football clubs to help eradicate these sorts of disturbing incidents, but it's also now up to us because I am sure that we recognised who some of those idiots were.

"I will definitely be making an approach to two young men that I saw and will be letting them know that not only was I displeased with the display, but that I will be reporting it to the proper authorities, because it's just utterly ridiculous that they have to get into a public forum to do and to wield weapons in the manner in which they did."

BFA secretary David Sabir said yesterday: "What more is there to say except for some nice flowery statement that hasn't already been said!

"I am no longer interested in lip-service and I have nothing to say that I haven't stated before. The BFA's stance on this issue has been well documented in the past and right now our only focus is on just what can we do to rid this problem.

"Our focus is clearly centred on what can be done; what actions need to be taken; who needs to be involved; who needs to support it of actually ridding this negative. .. despicable action at our football games.

"These young boys are an insult to everyone in this country."