A SOCCER thug who was branded a hardcore football hooligan by a judge has been jailed for six months.

Sunderland Football Club supporter David Brooke, 28, has been involved in violence at grounds throughout the country, including Aston Villa, Roker Park and Carlisle.

He was back before the courts yesterday to be sentenced for his part in a brawl between Newcastle United and Sunderland supporters at North Shields ferry landing on March 18, 2000.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that a gang of more than 50 rival supporters used text messages to set up a brawl.

Yobs leapt at each other, swinging, feet, fists and home-made weapons in a grudge battle between Sunderland's Seaburn Casuals and Newcastle's Gremlins, two of the most notorious gangs in the Premiership.

One man suffered a fracture to the skull and two years on is still not fully recovered.

Eleven men were jailed after being found guilty of conspiring to cause violent disorder.

The last two of the 35 men to have appeared before the courts received their sentences from Judge Eamond Faulks yesterday.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, told the court that telephone calls from Brooke's phone made on the night of the brawl linked him to the gang leaders.

James Owens, 27, who also admitted being there, received a 150-hour community punishment order after the court heard that he was no longer going to football matches and had cut back on drinking.

Brooke, of Fulwell, and Owens, of Castletown, both Sunderland, admitted affray.