A police officer who was kicked and stamped on by a mob after Rangers' defeat in the Uefa Cup final in Manchester said yesterday it was the worst violence he had seen at a match in 23 years.

Police Constable Mick Regan said there was a "hard core" of "a few thousand" troublemakers among the estimated 150,000 to 200,000 who travelled to the city for the game against Zenit St Petersburg. Violence flared after a big screen due to broadcast the game in Piccadilly Gardens failed before kick-off.

CCTV images show Mr Regan and six other officers retreating down a city centre street at about 10.15pm after the match as cans and bottles are hurled at them. Mr Regan was then tripped up by one of the group and about 20 people kicked and stamped on him as he lay on the ground.

Mr Regan, who suffered bruising to both arms, ribs and a puncture wound to the elbow, said: "From the outset we were bombarded with bottles and cans as we tried to contain and disperse the crowd. Never in my career have I been in a situation like that. It was unbelievable.

"The fans who were coming away from the stadium were as good as gold but the people who were kicking off were drunk and out for trouble. The drink was just fuelling their anger, that's what was causing it. I know they will say it's a minority but a few thousand is a big minority."

Mr Regan, 47, said that after he ran off a man, who had an English accent, came to his aid. He said: "I'd like to say to him thanks very much and I'll give you a few beers if I see you."

Greater Manchester Police issued the CCTV footage after reports that officers had been heavy-handed in their response to the trouble. According to police estimates, around 200 people were in the group which chased the officers down the street.

Yesterday, the police force said they had received "dozens" of messages from Rangers fans praising the policing operation. They issued extracts from some of the messages, which included comments that the police had been "friendly, approachable and courteous" and displayed "heroism and courage dealing with the riots".

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police last night said that they had received a "few" complaints about the police's handling of the event.

Jim Templeton, president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, said last night that the atmosphere in the city prior to the game was "phenomenal". He disputed claims by Mr Regan that "a few thousand" were involved in the trouble and added that it was not yet known whether those involved were Rangers fans.

He added: "I can understand the frustration of people who were there when the screen went down. But what I cannot condone is the action of the few after that who, for whatever reason, decided to take things into their own hands. I don't believe it was a few thousand involved.

"I do know there were fans from all over the world and on the occasion when I saw bottles being thrown, I was surprised at the number of people who were not wearing colours.

"When you see that, you have major concerns over who is actually involved. I would question whether these people are Rangers supporters in the true sense."

Eleven Rangers fans, all men, were charged following the disorder. Six men and two youths were charged with public order offences; one youth was charged with throwing a missile; one man was charged with being drunk in a sports ground; and one was charged with assault.