THESE nine men are wanted by the British Transport Police in connection with a fracas on a train following Newport County’s victory over Weymouth Town.

British Transport Police (BTP) issued the CCTV images yesterday showing nine men, who BTP believe are Newport County fans, wanted in connection with incidents in which police officers were sworn at and threatened on a train between Weymouth to Newport on March 6.

Four men from the Newport area aged 20, 26, 37 and 47 have already been arrested over the incidents and released on bail pending further enquires.

Police are now appealing for anybody who recognises the men in the CCTV footage to come forward and identify them.

BTP said the trouble on March 6 started when around 90 Newport county fans boarded the 5.30pm service from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads after County's 3-1 victory that afternoon.

During the journey the BTP said a number of fans used foul and abusive language against officers from Dorset and Avon and Somerset Police, as well as BTP officers.

Police were also threatened with violence, and the BTP said the train's CCTV cameras were tampered with.

There was also smoking on board the train, and the train’s emergency cord was pulled twice during the journey.

Detective Inspector Mick Southerton, who is leading the investigation, said: “The behaviour by some of the people on board this particular train was completely unacceptable. It was a very intimidating experience for the travelling public and for railway staff on board the train.”

He added that CCTV, photographs and witness statement would be used to identify those responsible for the disorder in the hope of putting offenders before the courts and getting them banned from future football matches.