Hartlepool United fan who says team are 'normally rubbish' invaded pitch after late comeback

John Cooper, 22, launched himself over the advertising hoardings at the Suit Direct Stadium and onto the turf after Pools scored twice in four minutes against Grimsby last October to win 2-1.

Teesside Magistrates Court heard Cooper, who had drunk about six pints before the game, got "over excited” and deliberately went onto the pitch to goad the Grimsby away fans.

It led to him being fined and slapped with a football banning order, preventing him from attending any matches or being in the area when games are played, for the next three years.

Michael Embleton, prosecuting, said: “He ran down from where he had been several rows back.

"Mr Cooper says that it was an impulse to invade the pitch.”

Footage of the incident played in court showed Cooper go over the advertising board near the away end before being quickly hauled back over.

He was detained by stewards and at first gave a false name and address.

He came clean when he was taken to the police station.

Describing Cooper’s account to police, Mr Embleton added: “He said Hartlepool are normally rubbish but because they’ve been able to do this and score two goals was amazing.

"His emotion took over and he jumped the advertising boards. He said he was extremely sorry for his actions.”

The court heard Cooper had also been involved in taunting and gesturing towards the Grimsby fans and paid more attention to them than to the game.

Representing himself in court, Cooper, of Southgate, Hartlepool, said he agreed with the prosecution description.

He said: “I didn’t know how serious it was at the time. I feel silly.

"Whatever punishment you give me I will learn by it.”

Cooper did not argue against the prosecution’s application for a football banning order saying he would “take it on the chin”.

He was also fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £16 surcharge.

Chair of the bench Carol Freeman-Dunn said: “We feel that your behaviour on that day set a very bad example, not only to the Hartlepool fans but to the opposition also.”