FOOTBALL fan Adam Reid has demanded a police apology for being branded a hooligan after his picture was released linking him with organised violence in the city.

A clear image of the 41-year-old was among ten photographs, issued by Devon & Cornwall Police's football intelligence unit, of men who were wanted in connection with a mass daytime brawl on Exeter's High Street before the Grecians' game against Huddersfield on Saturday, May 8 this year.

But Mr Reid claims he was with his family throughout the day, never saw any trouble and did not even set foot in the High Street. He said he was "shocked and embarrassed" when he picked up the Echo last week to see his photo.

He said he instantly volunteered his full details to the police but had not heard anything back in more than a week — and has labelled their handling of the case "deeply unprofessional".

"I was horrified," he said. "I looked at the picture and thought what is this all about? Reading on, I felt sheer embarrassment and wanted to go out and buy every copy of the paper to stop people from seeing it.

"I was just puzzled as to why I was being linked with this."

Since the article appeared last week he claims to have suffered from abuse and was even unable to attend the funeral of his friend and Exeter City fans' favourite Adam Stansfield last week.

He said: "I was always geared up to go to the funeral as I knew Adam quite well. He only lived round the corner from me and would always stop and chat.

"But after I had comments that morning saying I should turn myself in there was no chance I could go. Everyone there would have thought I was guilty and I feared I would be lynched.

"It is not just me — it has had a knock-on effect on my family as well."

Retracing his steps that day he said he left his home in Tiverton at 12.30pm, arrived in the city half-an-hour later and went for lunch with his family before going to the ground along Longbrook Street at about 2.30pm.

He said: "I was with my father-in-law, wife, sister-in-law and youngest daughter the whole day and did not even set foot in the High Street. The picture they have used was taken on that day — but is at Red Square at the ground. At least my family know the truth.

"I did not even see any trouble at all that day. I want a public apology from the police but they don't seem to care. They have all my details and surely, if they were that desperate to speak to me, they would have been in touch by now.

Devon & Cornwall Police football intelligence officer Sergeant Steve Pooley said: "We are in the middle of an investigation and if we did not think someone was involved we would not circulate their photographs.

"We are continuing with inquires and anyone who was pictured and has volunteered their details will be spoken to.

"This is a phased investigation and we are carrying out checks and collating the information. As things stand, no-one who has provided their own details or had details provided about them has been ruled out of the investigation."