BOSSES at Grimsby Town Football Club have welcomed the banning of a drunken troublemaker who ran onto the pitch after assaulting two stewards during a bad-tempered confrontation.
Marc Finnie was given a three-year football banning order after causing problems during a match just weeks after an earlier ban had ended.
Finnie, 39, of Warwick Avenue, Grimsby, admitted going onto the playing area at Blundell Park during Grimsby's match against Forest Green Rovers on September 8.
The Mariners won that game 1-0.
He also admitted assaulting Andrew Allen and Geoffrey Nettleton. He previously denied the two assaults.
The new ban was imposed at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.
Finnie now faces a prison sentence if he causes more trouble.
The ban has been welcomed by the club's stadium manager Nick Dale.
He said: "His actions were deliberate and blatant. He had been on a previous ban that ended in August.
"He was in the process of being asked to leave for being drunk and not fit to be inside a football ground."
Finnie pushed his way through and jumped over a barrier and onto the pitch while the match was going on, said Mr Dale.
"In the process of being detained, he assaulted two stewards," he added.
"We are a family-supporting club and his behaviour doesn't constitute that of a family supporter.
"We were disappointed it wasn't a longer ban as his actions were deliberate and blatant, having just come off a ban.
"His actions have financial implications on the football club and we will not and cannot turn a blind to that."
Finnie was also given a 14-week curfew and was ordered to pay £150 compensation to each of the stewards and £500 costs.
A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "This banning order shows that antisocial behaviour at football matches will not be tolerated.
"Officers work closely with Grimsby Town Football Club to bring people who cause antisocial behaviour at football matches to justice.
"People come to watch football to enjoy the match, not to be caught up in needless antisocial behaviour committed by a small minority of people.
"Let this be a warning that police will be working to target those who want to cause trouble."
Crime news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire
