SHOCKED football fans looked on in horror after trouble flared between Southend and Colchester fans at yesterday's Essex derby match.

A video posted online shows a brazen yob running from the Southend United fans to attack supporters in the Colchester end during the game at Roots Hall, which was won 3-0 by Southend United.

Colchester Gazette reporter Jonathon Waldron was covering the match for his paper and described how a nasty atmosphere had been building between the rival sets of fans throughout the afternoon, with lots of provocation.

He said at the start of the second half the mood deteriorated further and the man leapt from the Southend crowd and ran unchallenged towards the away fans, who were separated from the home end by stewards, before starting to throw punches.

Echo:

The Southend fan launches his attack on Colchester fans

He was eventually pulled away by stewards before apparently being allowed to return to the Southend section instead of being ejected from the ground.

Mr Waldron added: "Everyone seemed to gasp in astonishment that it was able to happen. It just seemed like he was able to back into the Southend fans afterwards as if nothing had happened.

"It was only a very small minority of fans that were involved in the trouble, but the crowd could not quire believe what they were seeing, that this one man was running towards the opposing fans and was throwing punches at them."

To make matters worse, Mr Waldron, who watched the events unfold from the ground's press box, said there was a small child in with the Colchester fans who would have witnessed the frightening incident at close hand.

"It is not something you see very often at a football ground. In the 70s and 80s it was very common place, but these days there is never any trouble with them, so this was quite a shocking incident," Mr Waldron added.

Blues manager Phil Brown said: “It’s been a great day for us but it’s been saddened by the fracas in the far corner. That’s not something we advocate at the football club. The exuberance from the supporters spilled over because we were winning. It could have been an ugly scene but the stewards did well.”

On Monday, the club issued a statement, asking for fans' help in identifying the perpetrator.

It said: "If you feel you can assist in identifying the individuals involved then please contact the club.

 "Southend United completely condemn the actions of these few mindless individuals who appear to have done this for personal glorification, we are already working with the authorities and the club will be taking very strong action against anyone who came onto the pitch or attacked the away fans."

And club chief executive Steve Kavanagh added: "Such people are not welcome at Roots Hall and I hope all fans will assist the club in identifying them to ensure that their actions do not go unpunished.

"The incident on Saturday is something that hasn't occurred in recent memory and the club will do everything we can to ensure Roots Hall continues to remain a safe and family friendly environment for football fans."

"What happened at the game was completely unacceptable and something which does not represent supporters of Southend United. I’m sure the majority of fans will join me in condemning the incident. We will be working with the authorities and will be taking appropriate action.”