MORE than 20 incidents of violence took place before and after York City's game with Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Police said the trouble happened in or around city centre and Bootham pubs where groups of supporters were drinking.

Six people were arrested outside the Bootham Crescent ground and a further four were arrested in connection with an assault outside York Theatre Royal, in St Leonard's Place, at about 7.40pm.

It was estimated by police that there were more than 5,000 fans at Saturday's game at Bootham Crescent, and more than 2,000 of them were visiting Mansfield fans.

Sergeant Dave Brown, of York Police, said: "There were a number of fights and a number of people complaining of being injured in fights. A number were taken to hospital, but none were detained as a result of their injuries.

"It is difficult to say how many people were involved. It was typical of a day when you have got groups of supporters coming and a lot of them were in drink before the match.

"We drafted extra officers in and everything was dealt with quite swiftly.

"A number of people were turned away at the ground because they were under the influence."

No one was seriously injured.

Six people will appear before magistrates in York on Wednesday charged in connection with the disorder. The four people arrested in connection with the assault have been bailed by police pending further inquiries.

Updated: 11:14 Monday, April 15, 2002