A mass brawl between players and fans at a football match in Pulrose has led to four people being charged with affray.

Video footage of the fighting was shown in court as players argued and spectators ran onto the pitch to join the melee.

Punches were thrown as players and fans jostled and pushed each other in the incident which went on for around three minutes.

James Gerard Maginn, aged 20, and his father, Robert Patrick Maginn, aged 39, both of Oak Avenue, pleaded guilty to the affray while Dean Rae, aged 18, also of Oak Avenue, and Jamie Anthony Cowin, 21, of Groves Road, denied the offence.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that the match took place on May 25 at Pulrose FC’s Groves Road ground and was against Ramsey Youth Centre and Old Boys (RYCOB).

At 3.35pm a large scale fight broke out and James Maginn, who was playing for Pulrose, was seen throwing punches.

Mr Rae, a Pulrose supporter, is accused of running onto the pitch to join the melee and throwing punches.

Robert Maginn also joined the brawl and was said to have swung multiple punches as well as kicked out.

Fracture

Mr Cowin is also accused of kicking someone during the fight.

One of the Ramsey players was said to have suffered a fractured rib during the brawl though it could not be established when it occurred or who caused it.

The incident was said to have been filmed by several people on mobile phones.

When interviewed by officers, James Maginn said that he had been headbutted, which had sparked the start of the fighting on the pitch.

In his police interview, Mr Rae said that he was trying to pull people apart.

Robert Maginn also told police that a headbutt had sparked the melee and Mr Cowin gave a ’no comment’ interview.

Prosecutor Mr Kane said that there had been a mass brawl, during which it was difficult to see a lot of what went on.

He added that it appeared that a dozen people could have ended up in the dock.

Mr Kane said that magistrates summary court’s sentencing powers of up to six months’ custody would be sufficient.

Advocate David Clegg represented James Maginn while Paul Rodgers represented Robert Maginn.

Both asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

Magistrates accepted jurisdiction and ordered probation reports for James and Robert Maginn.

They are due to be sentenced on March 19.

A pre-trial review will be held for Mr Rae and Mr Cowin on April 2.

Bail was granted for all four men.