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A millionaire company director, an ex-soldier who served in Iraq and an ambulance driver were among 60 thugs who have been sentenced for violence that erupted after a Midlands football derby.

Company boss Darron Brough, aged 41, from Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge, was sentenced to 15 months in jail and was banned from football matches for seven years for his part in a brawl following a West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa match in 2004.

Eight supporters were injured in the clash on August 22 as a crowd of up to 80 people fought running battles outside the Uplands pub in Oxhill Road, Handsworth.

The violence spilled across the road and into neighbouring streets where young families were enjoying the afternoon sun. Those involved in the affray came from all walks of life, and yesterday the last of the 60 charged with violent disorder was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court.

Of those charged 23 were Albion fans and 37 were Villa supporters – although one, 20-year-old Jamie Teal, was a known Walsall hooligan.

Mark O'Connor, aged 31, an ambulance driver of New Henry Street, Oldbury, was sentenced to 22 months in jail and received a seven-year ban.

Soldier Darren Williams aged 34, from Longbridge, went to Iraq soon after the fight, but was later handed a 12 months sentence suspended for two years, and a five-year ban.

The fighting broke out two hours after the final whistle of the 1-1 draw at the Uplands pub, which is less than a mile from The Hawthorns ground.