POLICE arrested 12 Swindon Town fans after a fight erupted before a football match against Southampton.

Trouble flared between a big crowd of supporters outside the Plume and Feathers pub in St Mary’s Road, Southampton, just minutes before the League One clash on Tuesday night.

They were arrested before they were allowed inside St Mary’s stadium. Police also said two Saints fans were detained at the scene.

All 14 supporters were held in police cells overnight and were interviewed by police yesterday morning.

A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed that officers are examining CCTV footage of the incident to establish exactly what happened.

The trouble came just hours before 10 Robins fans appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon.

They are charged with violent disorder after rival fans clashed in Bridge Street following a pre-season friendly between Swindon Town and Cardiff City in July last year.

The men from Swindon were arrested in early morning raids on November 16. Nine further arrests were made in South Wales on November 30.

Richard Brinsdon, 40, of Penhill Drive; Ricky Gabb, 31, of Egerton Close, Nythe; David Parmenter, 24, of Windmill Piece, Chiseldon, and Mark Stratford, 41, of Stafford Street, town centre, will appear at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, April 9.

Six other fans Samuel Baker, 22, of Clanfield Road, Park North; Darryl Pearce, 32, of Beresford Close, Eldene; Kevin Pike, 37, of Bramwell Close, Stratton; Liam Popowicz, 27, of Windsor Road, Lawn; Terry Southey, 41, of Ashbury Avenue, Nythe, and Allan Woodman, 30, of Hurst Crescent, Pinehurst, will appear back at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 23.

It is expected their case will be committed to Crown for the same day. No pleas have yet been entered by the men.

The men were given conditional bail and are not to travel to Swindon Town home or away games or visit the County Ground in hours leading up to and after a Town match.