Police yesterday issued a rogues gallery of football hooligans who brought terror to a city after a Premiership grudge match.

The thugs were captured on film as trouble flared outside the away supporters' exit at Sunderland's Stadium of Light after the recent derby against Newcastle.

Unable to reach rival fans, a mob of about 200 turned its rage on police.

In stand-offs the thugs hurled bottles, bricks, and anything else they could get their hands on, at officers.

Some of the hooligans had not even attended the game and police say they use the matches as "theatres for violence".

Although no one was hurt in the clashes, police horses and dogs needed veterinary treatment after being struck by missiles.

Force chiefs urged 'decent' supporters to come forward and snare the louts who bring havoc to football games.

Chief Inspector John Brady, of Sunderland City Police, said: "The people who committed violent disorder on derby day think they have got away with it because they have not been arrested yet. They need to think again."

He said the force had an "excellent record" when it came to combating football hooliganism.

Anti-hooligan laws could be used to jail and ban the yobs from soccer stadiums across the world for between three and 10 years.

Last month, detectives were rewarded when 35 suspected members of the Seaburn Casuals and Newcastle Gremlins were brought to justice.

During the two year investigation into the two clans police painstakingly trawled through thousands of mobile phone records and CCTV camera images.

The probe, one of the largest undertaken by the force, was launched when rival thugs clashed at the North Shields ferry landing in May 2000.

In total jail sentences amounting to nearly 15 years were meted out to the hooligans.

"We have the evidence of these crimes and no matter how long after the event we will come looking for you." added Chf Insp Brady.

"It is an example of disorder being dealt with efficiently and positively. It sends a message out to offenders that their behaviour will not be tolerated."

He said the Sunderland-Newcastle clash six weeks ago was relatively "trouble- free".

Police made 38 arrests before, during and after the game, compared to 161 arrests the previous season.

Football liason officer PC Bruce Hepton added: "We are determined to eradicate this problem of disorder. These offenders are not football fans, some of them don't even go to the games, they simply use the matches as a theatre for their violence.

"In this instance police horses and dogs needed treatment after being hit by missiles. We are determined to catch the people responsible."