FOUR football fans were arrested in a clash between Oxford United and Barrow AFC supporters.

Cumbria police have revealed they worked with two Thames Valley Police officers to prevent the situation escalating before Saturday’s 1-1 draw in the North West.

Trouble between the two sets of fans had previously been reported on the opening day of last season, when the U's visited the newly promoted side.

Saturday’s confrontation took place outside the Furness Railway, a Wetherspoon pub near the Holker Street ground, at about 2.15pm.

Det con Craig Barrass, Barrow’s football-intelligence officer, said: “Two Oxford males were arrested, both on public-order offences.

“A 35-year-old male was given an £80 fixed-penalty notice and an 18-year-old man was cautioned, which means he accepted responsibility for his actions.

“They were detained during the match and released after the final whistle.

“Two Barrow fans were also arrested. A 17-year-old youth was arrested and charged for breaching a football banning order — he had breached an exclusion zone around the ground.

“A 34-year-old man, Stuart Williams, of Keith Street, Barrow, was charged with a Section 5 public-disorder offence.”

He added: “There was a police presence at the game and if there hadn’t been then the altercation could have escalated and prompted more disorder.

“The altercation involved about 15 to 20 supporters from either side. No other arrests were made for the rest of the day.”