A GROUP of 14 people have been summonsed to appear in court after rival football supporters clashed ahead of the Essex derby last year.

Witnesses saw dozens of people clashing in Abbey Gate Street, Colchester, before the U's took on Southend at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Boxing Day last year.

Shocked residents called the police after witnessing the disorder on the streets and those involved fled the scene through a nearby underpass when a riot van arrived on the scene.

The 14 men and teenagers have been summonsed to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on June 30 to face charges under Section Four of the Public Order Act 1986 for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

They are: a 16-year-old boy from Kelvedon; an 18-year-old from Colchester; an 18-year-old from Feering; a 23-year-old man from Upminster; a 25-year-old from Rochford; two 21-year-olds from Shoeburyness; an 18-year-old from Westcliff; a 16-year-old boy from North Fambridge; a 15-year-old boy from Mayland; a 22-year-old from Southend; a 16-year-old boy from Billericay; a 16-year-old boy from Southminster and a 15-year-old boy from Tiptree.