EIGHTEEN football fans have been charged with violent disorder after a town centre brawl this summer.

More than 50 fans clashed in Bridge Street on Saturday July 25, following a pre-season friendly between Swindon Town and Cardiff City.

A resulting investigation by Wiltshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) led to the arrests of 10 men from Swindon and nine from across South Wales and Gwent.

The men from Swindon were arrested in early morning raids on Monday November 16. Swindon CID officers worked closely with colleagues in South Wales and nine further arrests were made over the border on Monday November 30.

Detective Sergeant Mark Smith who is leading the investigation said: “This was a serious public order offence and these charges reflect the severity of the violence that took place that evening.

“I want to make it clear to anyone intent on engaging in this sort of behaviour, which has the potential for serious injury to not only those involved but also innocent members of the public, that it is unacceptable, will not be tolerated and we will fully investigate all incidents to identify those responsible.

“We believe that the majority of those attending matches are intent on having a good time within the law but the small number intent on ruining other people’s fun should be prepared to be dealt with.”

The Swindon men charged are Allan Woodman, 30, from Hurst Crescent, Darryl Pearce, 32, from Beresford Close, Liam Popowicz, 27, from Windsor Road, Lawns, Ricky Gabb, 31, from Egerton Close, Richard Brinsdon, 40, from Penhill Drive, Terry Southey, 41, from Ashbury Avenue, Samuel Baker, 22, from Clanfield Road, Park North, Kevin Pike, 37, from Bramwell Close, Mark Stratford, 41, from Stafford Street and David Parmenter, 24, from Windmill Piece, Chisledon.

The Welsh suspects have been named as David Blacker, 39, from High Street, Ynysybwl, Mid Glamorgan, Dominic Towell, 28 from Farm Road, Caerphilly, Jordan Gurner, 19, from Glyn Collen, Caerphilly, Lee Evans, 27, from King Street, Caerphilly, Michael Grainger, 22 from Brynawel, Caerphilly, Steven Harding, 28 from Wedgewood Court, Caerphilly and Antonio Temple, 32, from Maesteg Road, Pontypridd.

Another 16-year-old man from Cardiff was charged with violent disorder and another man has not been charged.

All 18 have been released on bail with the men from Swindon due to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on January 6 and those from South Wales due to appear on January 14.

As well as being charged with violent disorder all 18 men could be subject to possible banning orders that would prevent them attending any future football matches, home and away, as well as any England international games, if they are found guilty.