Two men have gone on trial after violence erupted between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur fans.

Jacob Ball, 19, of Outlands Lane, Curdridge, and Thomas Burke, 31, of Peverells Wood Avenue, Chandler's Ford, went before a jury denying a charge of violent disorder following the incident on March 18, 2023.

The pair are accused of being in a mass brawl between rival fans in Oxford Street, Southampton, with furniture and glasses thrown.

Some 24 Saints fans have already admitted offences in relation to the disorder, the  jury was told.

Opening the trial at Southampton Crown Court, prosecutor Simon Jones said members of the public were left in fear for their own safety.

“There was violent disorder in Southampton city centre that day; that is not in dispute”, he told the jury.

In a video shown to the jury, the group of Saints fans - said to include Burke and Ball - are seen in the outdoor area of the Mail Room cocktail bar, before moving “en masse” down Oxford Street, onto Latimer Street then Queens Terrace.

It is here, Mr Jones said, they encountered Spurs fans who had just left Porters Steakhouse.

As the Spurs fans approach the Saints group, Saints supporters “flee” back to the Mail Room, with the Spurs group in pursuit.

The video shown to the jury shows the Saints group throwing outdoor furniture from the cocktail bar at the Spurs fans, which led to items being thrown by both groups, said Mr Jones.

He said: “The group then migrates onto the road and Burke continues to be a part of it, while Ball has left the scene.

“This mobile phone footage shows the Saints group pursuing the Spurs group, throwing furniture and chairs.

“Burke is not disengaging at any stage. He picks up a chair twice before the third and final time, where he throws it.

“Ball is in the group at the beginning and quite clearly knows what he is doing. He is standing shoulder to shoulder with the others.

“His presence is encouraging others in their involvement. When chased by the Spurs fans, he runs away from Oxford Street.

“But Ball swelled the numbers by being involved in the group before he then runs.”

The trial continues.