A YOUNG footballer has been banned for life from playing the game he loves after pleading guilty to headbutting a referee, a court heard.

Liam Johnson lost his temper when he was shown a red card for using foul and abusive language seven minutes into a Sunday morning football game last month.

As a result, Durham Football Association has banned the 25-year-old, of Romaine Park, Hartlepool , following the attack, which left referee Ronnie Chambers with a bloody nose.

When he appeared in court for sentence for the assault, it was revealed that the goalkeeper had written to the Durham FA admitting his guilt and recieved a letter earlier this week informing him he would be banned for life, but could appeal against the decision in ten years’ time.

Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court heard how the father-of-two, who has struggled all of his life with a severe stammer, lost his temper after he felt he had been fouled during the game between his team, Welfare Athletic, and DPM Carpets.

In mitigation, Adrian Morris told the court Johnson had “lost it” following a foul on him, which the referee failed to spot, and claimed it was his stammer that led to his frustration boiling over and headbutting Mr Chambers.

Following the attack, Mr Chambers was left with a swollen lip and nose, but did not suffer any fractures.

The court heard that Johnson had received a suspended sentence at Teesside Crown Court three years ago for hitting a man with a bottle after he had been provoked.

Earlier today, the crestfallen goalkeeper was given a 12- month community order with supervision, 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the referee and £85 towards court costs.

Chairman of the bench Keith Gorton said: “What makes this offence more serious is the situation in which it occurred – it was in a public place, it was during a game of sport and the referee was doing his job, you might say he wasn’t doing it was well as he should be but never the less he was doing his job.”