A GANG of England supporters who attacked Turkish fans after a crucial game was jailed yesterday.

Violence flared as Turks left Sunderland's Stadium of Light following the Euro 2004 qualifier on April 2, last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how chants and abuse from English fans erupted into violence when the Turkish fans got out of their cars to respond.

Despite starting the violence, the English were soon outnumbered as more Turks joined the melee.

Alec Burns, prosecuting, told the court: "The fight involved the use of hands and feet, cones, and piping from the ceiling."

England fan Paul Struthers, 32, of Sandringham Road, Gosforth, was the only member of the arrested mob who was not a Leeds fan.

Gavin Miller, 22, of Stewart Place, Huddersfield, Julian Walmsley, 32, of Low Street, Tingley, Wakefield, Noel Crann, 37, of Intake Lane, Birstall, Andrew Donlan, 37, of Coppinhall Grove, Mirfield, Stephen Burton, 31, of Wesley Street, Cleckheaton, and Paul Struthers, 32, all admitted affray at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how only Struthers and Burton had actually attended the game.

Defence barristers said the men were essentially hard working and law abiding.

Judge John Milford jailed each man for 18 months, except Walmsley, whose previous history of violence earned him a 21-month sentence.

Judge Milford also banned each man from attending any football match, either at home or abroad, for six years.

He said: "It was a clear case of England fans making themselves offensive and then using violence to supporters of the opposing team."