A SALISBURY man has been given a three year football banning order after he ran onto the pitch during the south coast derby.

Pitch invader Daniel Small, of Wilman Way, Harnham, leapt over the advertising boards from the Kingsland Stand during the game between Southampton and Portsmouth last month, bringing the match to a stop.

Shortly before this, Small, a season ticket holder, had thrown a lighter onto the pitch while Portsmouth player Josh Murphy took a throw-in.

Today (October 14) Small pleaded guilty to both charges at Southampton Magistrates Court and was fined a total of £445 and given a three-year Football Banning Order.

Assistant chief constable Tony Rowlinson, Gold Commander for the game, said: “We were clear ahead of this game that disruption would not be tolerated but sadly this so-called fan ignored those warnings.

“Thanks to the swift actions of our officers and security team at St Mary’s Stadium, he is facing the consequences of his foolish actions that threatened to ruin the game for everyone.

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“Within minutes, he had been identified as the person responsible for throwing the lighter and after he invaded the pitch, he was quickly removed.

“That brief appearance on the pitch has resulted in a much lengthier appearance in court that has left him with a criminal record and a banning order preventing him from going to see his team play for three years.

“I hope this sends a clear message that just because you are surrounded by thousands of people, you cannot hide away if you commit crime.

“We work closely with clubs using a variety of different tactics to ensure those intent on causing disruption and threatening the safety of others are dealt with.”

Small was charged with throwing a missile and going onto the playing area of a football match.

The court heard how he ran over to the halfway line in the 38th minute of the game, before he was apprehended and escorted off.

The hearing heard the pitch invasion came moments after security staff attempted to remove him from the stadium, after being identified as the person who threw the lighter onto the pitch as Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy took a throw-in.

He pleaded guilty to both counts resulting in the fine and banning order.