Nine Albion fans were arrested following trouble between rival sets of supporters during the first game of the season.

More than 100 police officers were needed to deal with a series of incidents which broke out during and after the match in Southend, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.

A total of 11 people were arrested and nine were charged, mostly with public order offences.

Four Albion fans were charged with possessing an offensive weapon after they were found carrying mace spray.

Another Albion supporter was arrested during the match itself when he ran on to the pitch and kicked the ball away shortly after Southend had scored.

The main flashpoint occured outside Roots Hall stadium where 150 fans gathered after the match, which Southend won 2-0.

Later, bottles and chairs were thrown between rival gangs on Southend seafront.

Police had anticipated trouble after rumours circulated on the internet about a hardcore of rival fans intent on causing problems at the match, which in recent years has become akin to a derby game.

An estimated 3,500 Albion fans travelled to Essex for the game.

Insp Trevor Chaplin, of Southend police, said: "Although there were more fans from Brighton arrested on the day, I don't want to say they were the only ones to blame.

"The fact is there is strong rivalry between the two teams ever since Albion shared a ground with Gillingham and we were prepared for trouble. Nobody was assaulted and at times it was little more than handbags at seven paces, but it could have got quite nasty if it had not been policed properly."

Insp Chaplin said usually only 30 officers were drafted in for Southend games but the number was tripled for Saturday's match.

The nine people charged on Saturday will appear before Southend magistrates later this month.

The trouble at Southend coincided with a survey which showed the Albion has one of the worst records for soccer hooligans in Division Three.