POLICE have succeeded in getting a North-East football hooligan banned from every match in the country for the next two years.

Michael Hawdon has been made the subject of a football banning order under new legislation introduced after the Euro 2000 championships.

It is the first time Durham Police have applied to the courts to make such an order.

Hawdon, 28, of Mildred Street, Darlington, appeared at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court yesterday. His solicitor did not oppose the application, which will run for the minimum of two years.

The comprehensive order means that Hawdon is banned from every football match in England and Wales, from Nationwide Conference level upwards.

The ban applies to both domestic and international games.

It also applies to matches abroad involving the England national team or any team representing a club from the Football League or Premiership.

In addition, Hawdon must report to the police on selected match days and on selected days leading up to matches.

He has also been ordered to surrender his passport.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the application was made on two fronts - that Hawdon has a history of violence or disorder and the reasonable belief that the order would prevent violence or disorder in the future.

Durham Constabulary's force solicitor Chris Southey made reference to a number of previous incidents.

In September 1999, Hawdon was given a three month domestic ban by Bolton magistrates after encroaching on the pitch in a cup game against Darlington.

And he was arrested and deported by Belgian police in Brussels this June for disorder during Euro 2000.

Mr Southey also referred to a case in December 1997 when Hawdon was convicted of a public order offence by Darlington Magistrates.

Speaking after the case, Mr Southey said: "There was every basis for believing that an order against Hawdon would help prevent football related violence or disorder in the future.

"He has co-operated fully with the police and did not contest the order."

Hawdon was not in when The Northern Echo called at his home for comment last night