A FOOTBALL fan is seeking a meeting with his favourite club after successfully appealing against a ban from all grounds in the country.

Frank Wheatley was ejected from Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light for allegedly shouting anti-semitic abuse during a match against Tottenham in October 1999.

The 50-year-old secretary of the South-East Durham branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association was accused of making an offensive remark about Spurs, a club with a large Jewish following.

He was subsequently fined £200 and banned from every football ground in England and Wales for a year, after being convicted of using racial or indecent words or behaviour, by Sunderland magistrates last July.

Mr Wheatley appealed against the conviction at Durham Crown Court, saying he was mistakenly picked out of the crowd by a plain clothes steward.

Giving evidence yesterday, Mr Wheatley, a Sunderland supporter for 40 years, said he took his father, daughter and two grandchildren to matches and was "not in the habit" of making such remarks.

Upholding the appeal, Judge Gerard Harkins said there was insufficient evidence to prove Mr Wheatley shouted anything abusive. He awarded costs for both hearings to Mr Wheatley.

After the ruling, Mr Wheatley, of Oakerside Park, Peterlee, County Durham, said: "Justice has finally been done. It has been unpleasant to have this hanging over me, but anyone who knows me knows I wouldn't have shouted the things they said I did."

Mr Wheatley said he believed he was still banned from the stadium and he would be seeking a meeting with the club to try to resolve the situation.

A statement issued by Sunderland AFC said: "We will examine this case in detail in light of today's decision."