FOOTBALL thugs behind the violence at a UEFA Cup game in the Czech Republic face a shock in the New Year, despite thinking they had got away with it.

Cleveland Police are resolved to bringing all the hooligans before the courts early next year after wreaking havoc during Middlesbrough's match against Ostrava.

Officers, who have already tracked down several of the main suspects, are to examine more closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage collected from the game, showing details of the four-minute terrace battle with Czech hooligans in the Bazaly Stadium, Ostrava, in September.

Detective Inspector Rob Donaghy said: "There are a number of people who were involved in trouble at that ground who have yet to be highlighted.

"They may think they have got away with it, but I can tell them they have not.

"We published a number of pictures before Christmas of people we had picked out from CCTV and TV footage, who we believe were the main players in the violence. We have formally identified seven and are following leads on the remaining four.''

He added: "We are now working through more film which we know shows many others involved in confrontation."

Det Insp Donaghy has urged everyone who may have been involved or caught up in trouble to contact Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111, or the Football Intelligence Unit at Cleveland Police headquarters, on (01642) 301723.

The work of the unit in its first year of operations has resulted in more than 50 so-called fans responsible for trouble and violence at games, being banned from attending matches.

This success has led to Cleveland Police being recognised as one of the most effective and successful forces in the country in the seeking of banning orders.