Two Croydon men have been sentenced for their part in mass violence before and after the Chelsea v Cardiff City FA Cup match in Fulham last year.

Pre-kick off violence on February 13, 2010 saw opposing groups of supporters clash in the Fulham Road area, with smoke bombs being set off in the most serious incident.

After the final whistle, more than 200 people clashed in Kings Road, using bricks and traffic cones as missiles and taking part in hand-to-hand fighting.

Several police officers were injured, with one policeman needing facial surgery.

Tom Townsend, a 20-year-old unemployed man from Waddon Park Avenue, Croydon, was sentenced to six months in a young offenders’ institution and a six-year banning order having previously pleaded guilty to affray.

Ben Satchell, a 20-year-old window cleaner from Onslow Way, Croydon, was sentenced to eight months in a young offenders’ institute and a six-year banning order having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Detective Superintendent William Lyle of Hammersmith and Fulham borough police said: "These sentences demonstrate this kind of behaviour is entirely unacceptable to the police, the thousands of law-abiding football fans and the general public.

"The public perception is football disorder involves young men fighting in the street but I must stress this is not the case.

“A large number of the men, who have now pleaded guilty or been convicted of charges in relation to this incident, are career football hooligans who have been involved in serious acts of violence over a number of years."

A total of 96 people have been being charged with affray and violent disorder offences, of whom 63 have pleaded guilty or been found guilty following trial.

Thirty-one people are still progressing through the criminal justice system.

Chelsea Football Club said: "Chelsea Football Club utterly condemns violence in football and takes a zero tolerance stance.

“We have fully supported the police with these prosecutions, and those convicted who are either members or season ticket holders have been banned indefinitely.

"These individuals involved are a very small minority and not representative of the thousands of Chelsea supporters who attend matches without incident.

“There has been great progress in recent years by the club and authorities to make the attendance at football matches safe and enjoyable and we will continue to ensure this remains the case."