FOUR football supporters have appeared in court over violence linked to Swindon Town’s League Two clash against Exeter City in February.

On Wednesday, four men appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court charged with violent disorder before the County Ground showdown on February 1.

Daniel Dickinson, 27, of Briar Fields, town centre, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Samuel Cullum-Short, 22, of Queenborough, Toothill, Matthew Greener, 33, of Barnes Wallis Close, Bowerhill, and Darren Hicks, 44, of Bourton Avenue, Stratton St Margaret, gave no indication of their pleas.

Magistrates sent the case to the crown court, with the four men due before the judge on November 27 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Police have previously said officers were forced intervene in order to keep groups of warring fans apart outside the Tap and Barrel pub in Manchester Road before the 3pm game. A special constable was injured in the fracas when a glass bottle struck her in the face after being thrown by a fan.

Following the violence, Swindon police commander Supt Adrian Burt said: “The game in general passed by without significant trouble, but it seems there was a minority of football fans intent on causing disorder and disruption to not only the other football fans, but also the wider community who were out in Swindon on Saturday afternoon.

“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we are fully investigating to bring those responsible to justice.”