Extra police will be on patrol during the FA Cup final weekend in a bid to prevent a repeat of the shameful football violence witnessed in the town centre before a semi-final clash last month.

Shocked witnesses recalled a “mini riot” on the morning of Saturday, April 16, when Manchester City and Manchester United fans clashed before their teams met at Wembley.

Drunken supporters hurled bottles, chairs, glasses and ashtrays at each other as passions spilled out of control and United fans were attacked outside a busy bar.

Chief Inspector John Dempsey-Brench announced yesterday that his officers would be out in force to prevent a repeat performance.

He said: “We are expecting a similar number of fans this weekend as Watford is a major transport hub. We know that on Friday night a lot of hotels are fully booked and we will be putting in place some additional resources over and above what we normally do.

“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is going to be any disorder. But we have some additional resources in the morning to provide reassurance to the public and any supporters who may visit the town. It is likely that any supporters that do come will be gone by 1pm [to get to the ground at 3pm].

Chief Inspector Dempsey-Brench explained that various aggravating factors led to last months disturbances, which also saw clashes near Market Street. The later kick-off time, he explained, had allowed more drinking time for fans, and one bar had, without informing the police, taken a private booking from a large group of United fans – an action that effectively negated an attempted separation of fans and allowed them to mix freely together.

Hundreds of both Manchester City and Stoke City fans are expected to arrive in town tomorrow (Friday) in advance of Friday’s game. They will then make their way to Wembley from Watford Junction, Watford Met, and Watford High Street.