A FOOTBALL fan who threw his season ticket at Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew in disgust during the Tyne-Wear derby has been banned from attending football matches for three years.

An angry Sean Glendinning ran onto the St James' Park pitch after his team conceded the second of three goals to Sunderland.

Magistrates in Newcastle heard today (Thursday, February 27) how the 25-year-old, of Hollyhill Gardens West, Stanley, County Durham, got to within five feet of the Magpies’ boss after Adam Johnson scored for Sunderland in the 18th minute of the match on February 1.

Sarah Guest, prosecuting, read a statement from a club steward, who tried to catch Glendinning, before he was arrested shortly afterwards.

It said: “The male was running towards Alan Pardew holding his season ticket.

“He ran towards him. I tried to grab him. He was five feet away from Pardew.”

Glendinning pleaded guilty to one charge of going into a playing area designated for a football match and has accepted a three year football banning order.

Ms Guest said: “The season ticket had been dropped near the dugout.

“It was obviously a highly charged atmosphere on derby day.”

Glendinning, who was not represented by a legal advisor, said he wanted to publicly protest at the home team’s poor performance.

He said: “I was angry. It was the spur of the moment. It was stupid.”

Connor Grieves, 22, of Lees Street, Stanley, also pleaded guilty to going into a playing area designated for football matches during the same match, but is opposing a three year football banning order. A separate hearing has been arranged for him on April 3.

Daniel Orrick, 21, of Hertford, Gateshead, admitted going into a playing area designated for football matches and as well as £200 fine, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge he has accepted a three year football banning order.

Northumbria Police made a total of 11 arrests, including the three men who went onto the pitch and three as part of a planned operation before the match, with others for public order offences in the city centre afterwards.