THIRTY FIVE football fans appeared in court yesterday charged with conspiracy to cause violent disorder following a battle between Newcastle United and Sunderland supporters.

The supporters appeared together in Newcastle Crown Court for a preliminary hearing, which was adjourned until March 16 while it is decided if the trial is heard in Newcastle or at another venue.

It will also be decided at the next hearing whether the men are tried in batches because of their large number.

The men face a joint charge of conspiracy to cause violent disorder following the incident last year, on North Tyneside, near a ferry landing.

Before the hearing began, uniformed police officers stood guard at lifts on the ground floor and third floor where the case was due to be heard, and officers patrolled the court corridors.

About 100 people crammed into the court room, including the 35 defendants, 24 barristers and 16 solicitors.

All the defendants were granted unconditional bail.

The defendants were: Stephen Bamborough, 32, of Cranberry Road; Christopher Batty, 29, of Alston Crescent; David Breeds, 29, of Devonshire Street; David Brooke, 27, of Laws Street; Kenneth Chapel, 21, of Torver Crescent; Anthony Coghlan, 26, of Stainton Grove; Stephen Goodfellow, 31, of Rotherfield Square; Mark Higgins, 29, of Wears Street South; Jason Jameson, 31, of Whickham Street; James Owens, 26, of Riverdale; Sean Rogers, 29, of General Graham Street; Steven Thirlwell 26, of Newbury Street, all Sunderland, and Stephen McGeorge, 32, of Follingsby Lane, Washington.

Nicholas Atkinson, 24, of Lyndon Drive; Christopher Miller, 27, of Ashbrooke Terrace; Andrew Robson, 29, of Sunderland Road; Malcolm Clare, 39, of Seton Avenue; Paul Clements, 23, of Blagdon Avenue; Douglas Donkin, 36, of Vine Street; Ian Rainbow, 28, of Kings George Road; Robert Reed, 21, of Fountains Crescent; Robert Stephenson, 34, of Vernon Close; Steven Jary, 25, of Glagedale Court, all South Tyneside.

Paul Bine, 37, of Minton Lane; James Burwood, 23, of Trevor Terrace; Graham Russell, 32, of Eleanor Street; Keith Russell, 27, of Kenton Road; Christopher Tapken, 24, of Park Crescent East, all North Tyneside.

Kevin Weir, 23, of Melrose Crescent, and Mark Wilson, 28, of Warting Avenue, both Seaham, County Durham.

John Sharp, 38, of Elwin Close, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland.

Jonathan Carpenter, 30, of Warwick Avenue, Swinton; Daren Leng, 31, of Grosvener Gardens, Sharkston; Christopher Mullins, 26, of Greenside Lane, Droyslden, all Manchester.

Mark Smith, 34, of Boswell Court, Kingston-upon-Thames, Greater London.