POLICE are investigating violent incidents which occured minutes before a Saints game.

Detectives from British Transport Police say the offences took place in and around the Birmingham area prior to Saints taking on West Bromwich Albion.

DC Tim Friend said: “At 2.45pm, a 52-year-old male from Dudley was assaulted on a train arriving at The Hawthorns Rail station.

“Immediately afterwards, another 52-year-old man from Cradley Heath was also assaulted, this time on the station platform. The two incidents are believed to be linked.

“One of the men was left with a nasty cut to the head and a black eye. The second victim sustained a double fracture to his jaw, and has since undergone corrective surgery as a result.”

Officers also received reports of a large group of men on the same train to The Hawthorns singing offensive songs prior to the game.

And after the match there were more reports of drunken disorder on a train between Birmingham New Street and Leamington Spa, shortly after 7.30pm.

DC Friend added: “The vast majority of football fans are peaceful, law-abiding people. However, there is a mindless minority who are determined to cause trouble.

“We need anyone who witnessed any of these incidents to get in touch with us. Any detail, no matter how small, could prove important to our enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference MSUB/B10 of 12/03/2015.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.