Thirteen charged over 'violent' football disorder

It was the first time the two rival teams had played each other since 2004

Thirteen men have been charged with violent disorder after disruption ahead of a football match.

Thames Valley Police said the incident occurred at St Mary's Butts in Reading before a game between Reading and Oxford United on 12 December last year.

The men, aged from 22 to 56, each received their charge in the post between Friday and Monday.

They are due to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on 29 October.

It was the first time the two rival teams had played each other since 2004.

There was an increased police presence in the run-up to the game and two dispersal orders were in place, which gave officers additional powers to order people away from certain areas of the town.

The derby match at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading ended in a 1-1 draw.

'Small minority'

Thames Valley Police said at the time that those arrested were a "small minority" of the 12,000 fans who attended the game.

Those charged are from a range of places including Oxford and Bicester in Oxfordshire, Reading and Wokingham in Berkshire, and Hampshire.