A man has been banned from attending any football match in the UK after he was caught goading players and coaching staff.
Officers were called after Worksop Town’s home tie in the National League N / S against Chester Football Club on 30 August last year.
Chester supporter Lee Newman invited himself into the away dressing room at Windsor Foodservice Stadium, in Sandy Lane, Worksop.
Once inside, he hurled insults and threats at some of the Chester players as well as members of their coaching staff.
From there, the 44-year-old headed outside the stadium, where he was then filmed pushing and shouting abuse at opposing supporters too.
He was identified after the incident and later pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour with intent to cause fear of / provoke unlawful violence.
Newman also pleaded guilty to entering an area adjacent to the playing area – in this case, the changing rooms.
Appearing at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on 3 February, he was handed a Football Banning Order prohibiting him from attending any football match in the UK for the next three years.
Newman, of Bradshaw Avenue, Saltney Ferry, Chester, was also ordered to pay a penalty of £837.
PC Lee Ryan, of the Worksop North neighbourhood policing team, said:
“A vast majority of fans attending the match did so peacefully and were there to rightfully show support for their local team.
“Individuals who behave in this manner, however, give football clubs – and football supporters in general – a bad reputation, and this will never be tolerated by the force.
“As Worksop Town have been newly promoted, we want to reassure supporters that we are there to make sure their fixtures go ahead without a hitch.
“So, whether incidents happen inside or outside of the stadiums, supporters should know that any reckless, disorderly or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and that we will actively seek banning orders where appropriate.”
