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

Witnesses saw dozens of people involved in a mass brawl 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.

Following a number of arrests at the end of January, the group, which includes men from Rochford, Southend, Shoebury and Billericay, have now been charged and will face a court hearing.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Fourteen 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."

The court hearing comes after father-of-three Mark Coshever was banned from football matches for five years after he attacked Colchester United fans during the return League One fixture.

The 39-year-old admitted affray and invading the pitch at Roots Hall during the game between Southend United and Colchester United, on February 6.

He was sentenced to the banning order, which means he must also steer clear of the ground on match days, as well as an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £265 in fines and carry out 200 hours in unpaid work.

Anyone with information about the incident in Colchester on Boxing Day are asked to contact Det Sgt Paul Olney at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.