A SUNDAY league footballer was jailed for four months today for stamping on an opponent as he lay injured on the ground.

Hard-man midfielder Mark Ward, 23, sent teenager Jonathan Carroll flying in a tackle, stamped on his broken ankle and gave him a volley of foul abuse as the promising young player was left in agony.

The 19-year-old victim was due to take up a scholarship in the US, but has not played football since the tackle last June.

Mr Carroll's team Marton had just taken a 2-0 lead only minutes into their game against Whale Hill at Eston Sports Academy, Teesside, when Ward snapped.

He was convicted of common assault following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, jailed the fitter for four months, and said: "This kind of behaviour on the pitch is intolerable."

Duncan McReddie, defending, said although his client denied stamping on Mr Carroll, Ward felt remorse for the preceding tackle which broke his opponents ankle.

The barrister said: "He understands fully that a promising footballer has had his career curtailed."

Last August Mr Carroll was due to start a four-year course at the Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and is now taking a three-year degree course in food science at Teesside University.