TEN football supporters were arrested by police last night after minor trouble broke out as Ipswich and Colchester met in an East Anglian Derby at Portman Road.

Russell Claydon

TEN football supporters were arrested by police last night after minor trouble broke out as Ipswich and Colchester met in an East Anglian Derby at Portman Road.

Eight Colchester United fans and two Ipswich Town supporters were arrested in connection with Public Order Offences in Ipswich last night, police have said.

The sides met in a second round tie of the Carling Cup - formerly known as the League Cup - at Portman Road with Colchester bringing one of the biggest away followings Ipswich supporters have seen since West Ham United packed out the Cobbold Stand in a play-off clash back in May 2004.

Colchester sold out their pre allocation of 2,500 but estimations today suggest tickets sold to Colchester fans on the night could have swelled their support to around 4,000.

PC Marc Norman, Suffolk police's football intelligence officer, said: “We made 10 arrests in total - eight Colchester fans and two Ipswich fans - while 16 people had to be ejected from the stadium.

“With regards to last season's fixture between the clubs, which was also an evening kick-off, the number of arrests was very similar and on the whole we are very pleased.

“In terms of disorder around the town, the majority of the arrests were confined to the football stadium and we were pleased with the operation last night.”

Police decided to close off an area of Portman Road to home supporters after the game to prevent the opposing fans mixing after Ipswich triumphed 2-1 to reach the next round.