FOOTBALL hooligans arrested after clashes at one of the region's biggest railway stations have admitted violent disorder.

The 15 supporters of Newcastle United appeared at the city's Crown Court today where they were due to go on trial on a charge of conspiracy to cause violent disorder.

But after legal argument all of the defendants admitted the lesser charge of violent disorder.

The case was adjourned until October 8 so pre-sentence reports can be prepared. The maximum penalty for the offence is five years in jail.

Judge Beatrice Bolton said that orders banning them from attending football matches in the future would be prepared.

The charges relate to incidents at Newcastle Central Station on Saturday, August 8 last year shortly before trainloads of Sunderland supporters arrived back in the region after a pre-season friendly in Edinburgh against Scottish Premier League side Hearts.

The Newcastle United fans were involved in clashes with police but the two sets of fans did not meet.

Sunderland fans were also arrested after a separate series of alleged clashes at the station later in the evening and 20 are due to go on trial next year.

The 15 Newcastle fans in court today were: Ian Chisholm, 47, of Westacres Crescent, Benwell, Newcastle; Lewis Comber, 18, of Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval; Darren Fryer, 39, of Wallinfen, Leam Lane, Gateshead; Bryan Heron, 41, of Clayton Street West, Newcastle; Adam Ivison, 22, of Murrayfields, West Allotment, North Tyneside; Joseph Mattison, 51, of Acomb Street, Gateshead; Christopher Mustoe, 22, of John F Kennedy Estate, Washington; Adam Nesbit, 41, of Tribune Place, Gateshead; Noel Renton, 33, of Aydon Walk, West Denton; David Taylor, 21, of Sinclair Gardens, Seaton Delaval; Lee Wales, 23, of Prince Consort Road, Gateshead; Stephen Wales, 43, of Woodford, Gateshead; David Cook, 22, of Cromer Gardens, Gosforth; Scott Mooney, 18, of Valley Road, Blyth; and Daniel Routledge, 18, of Swarland Road, Blyth.

All were given conditional bail until sentencing.