A FOOTBALL fan who threw his season ticket at a manager in disgust has escaped a nationwide banning order.

Mark Davison, 33, of Wheatley Hill, County Durham, appeared before Teesside magistrates yesterday after admitting entering the playing area during Middlesbrough FC's home game against Aston Villa on February 4.

Davison said his emotions had taken over when Aston Villa's forth goal went in and he hurled his £390 ticket at manager Steve McClaren.

Nathan Adams, prosecuting, told the court the crowd had become hostile, particularly in the second-half of the match, with fans surging to the side of the pitch.

This continued after the fourth goal, when the defendant jumped over the barrier.

Mr Adams said the test when considering a banning order was if it would prevent violence or disorder in future football matches.

He said: "This defendant went one step further. The fact that he went on to the pitch, ran across half the pitch to the dugout and threw an item towards the manager, makes this offence clearly unacceptable."

But Marie Mallon, mitigating, said a banning order would be a minimum of three years, which would impose a "huge restriction on his personal movement, behaviour and liberty".

She said: "The match came at a point in the season where Middlesbrough had not been faring well. The supporters were finding themselves facing a relegation battle. There was a strong feeling within the crowd of discontent.

"He Davison does not seek in any way to condone his behaviour. He accepts entirely that his behaviour was an inappropriate, foolish, act that should not have happened.

"If there was a match where there was going to be disorder, it was that very match."

Davison was fined £300 and ordered to pay £43 court costs.

Chairman of the bench Michael Dobson said: "The bench feels that this was a personal expression of your feelings, where you accept that it was a foolish and spontaneous act. Through your solicitor you have expressed a lot of remorse."

Speaking outside the court, Mr Davison said: "I am very pleased with the result and I am just keen to get back to the game as soon as possible."

But he will have to wait another week to see if he can have his season ticket back.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Football Club said: "We will not be reviewing the matter until next week.