SAINTS fans were “a picture of unadulterated aggression’’ using threats and gestures of violence to intimidate Pompey supporters after last season's FA Cup derby, a court heard.

They displayed “pure hatred’’ toward the opposition fans and anyone unfortunate to be in their path, it was alleged at the opening of a trial of five supporters accused of violent disorder.

Emergency services were out in force to keep apart rival fans attending the fifth round game at St Mary’s Stadium that Portsmouth won 4-1.

Prosecutor Martyn Booth told Southampton Crown Court how a metal fence had been put up to prevent home fans from entering Britannia Road via the Freeborn garage forecourt but that area close to the ground was to be the scene of “ugly and violent episodes of public disorder”, jurors heard.

Southampton supporters gathered behind the fencing were “noisy’’ and “unruly’’ and were only there to bait Portsmouth fans. As the situation spiralled out of control, there were physical and verbal threats, the fence partially collapsed and missiles were thrown “whether they be coins or stones or bricks or bits of plastic or wood.’’ Two Portsmouth fans suffered facial wounds.

Mr Booth said: “The violence was indiscriminate in its nature, completely unprovoked and completely unnecessary.’’ Mr Booth alleged that the five men on trial had “by their presence and actions, they lent weight and encouragement to an already violent and threatening crowd, thereby causing significant fear, intimidation and unrest”.

The five are:

• Michael Wilson, 28, of New Road, Netley Abbey. He is alleged to have grabbed the fencing before making a series of “confrontational gestures”. He told police he had not thrown or damaged anything and had not hurt or threatened anyone.

• Timothy Osman, 49, of Cunard Avenue, Shirley, Southampton. He told police he had “got caught up’’ in the post match trouble, admitting he thought he had shaken the fence and kicked it, but denied throwing anything.

• Trevor Collins, 46, of Meggeson Avenue, Townhill Park, Southampton. He was said to been earlier annoyed after being hit by a police horse and chased after mounted officers.

He is alleged to have been in “the thick of things’’ on the forecourt, helping to pull down the fence. He admitted his actions had been “aggressive’’ and was an act of stupidity.

• Ross Phillips, 28, of Swift Road, Southampton. He admitted to having been drunk and after the game felt “gutted’’ and “angry.’’ He saw something going on at the garage and after running over, gave the fence “a shake’’. He confessed to getting carried with the crowd and accepted he had been gesticulating, swearing and shouting and he had acted like “an idiot,’’ but denied being violent.

• Martyn Bishop, 43, of Wheatlands, Fareham. He told police how Portsmouth fans had been throwing missiles in the general direction of him and his dad, which made him “unhappy’’ but not angry.

He admitted shaking the fence five or six times out of frustration before re-joining his father. He described the forecourt scene as being like “a bloody battleground’’ and was “bloody mayhem”.

A sixth defendant, Peter Smithson, 36, of Adams Close, Hedge End, admitted violent disorder. He had bail extended pending sentence but Judge Gary Burrell QC warned him to expect a jail term.

Proceeding