The authorities believe that none of those taking part actually attended the pre-season friendly. A handful of the casuals ended up in hospital.

A Dundee FC spokesman said today, “We are very much aware of this regrettable incident.

“It appears that a number of people, who are not Dundee FC supporters, used Dundee’s trip to Falkirk to travel there for an arranged meet with other casuals.

“Police dealt quickly and appropriately with this incident, and kept us fully informed.

“It took place well away from the stadium, and to our knowledge none of the people involved attended the match.

“We will continue to work closely with the police to identify the individuals involved. Should any of them be registered on our supporters’ database, further appropriate action will be taken.”

That would mean any so-called fan involved in what the club described as “few and far between” outbreaks of hooliganism being banned for life.

Football-related violence, though not at the levels of its 1980s heyday, continues to be carried out in the name of both senior Dundee clubs.

Police recently staged what they described as a “significant” operation after intelligence was received about expected causal activity linked to a meeting of Dundee United and Aberdeen.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s incident, casuals have boasted of their exploits on hooligan websites, with one claiming the locals were outnumbered 70 to 30 by their counterparts from Dundee.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incidents, in the town’s Grangemouth Road, near Falkirk College, but a Central Police spokesman said inquiries are continuing.