TWO men have been arrested following a showdown between a self-styled “anti-fascist” football club and protestors at Southend Manor.

The home game against Clapton Ultras, which describes itself as an “always anti-fascist” club on its Twitter account, descended into chaos at half time, with the police being called to break up a mass brawl between about 20 of the club’s fans and locals.

Two men from London in their 30s and 40s were arrested as a result of the disturbance, which spread from Southend Manor to Southchurch Park.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to the Lifstan Way area in Southend just before 4pm on Saturday, December 20, following a number of reports of a disturbance with people fighting.

“Local officers and colleagues from the British Transport Police arrived at the scene and found a number of people had sustained injuries.

“Damage was reported to a shop and a parked vehicle and the disturbance had also continued into Southchurch Park.

“A 32-year-old man from Merton, south London, was arrested on suspicion of affray.

“He has been bailed until April 27 pending further enquiries.

“A 42-year-old man from Hackney was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offence.”

The man remained in custody at the time of going to print.