A SWINDON Town fan, banned from UK football for three years, said he only invaded the County Ground pitch to save his hero Sam Parkin.

Ricky Stebbing, 29, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday and as well as being banned was fined £100.

Stebbing has also been banned from Swindon Town FC for life.

He had just finished his best man's speech at a friend's wedding that day before going along to the County Ground to watch Town play Bradford.

The Swindon scaffolder ran onto the pitch during a fight between Town striker Sam Parkin and Bradford player Darren Holloway, which resulted in a red card for Parkin.

Stebbing was instantly escorted from the pitch and taken to the police station.

Earlier in the day Stebbing he admitted he had drunk too many glasses of champagne at the wedding.

He said: "I was enjoying the match.

"It was a mix of alcohol and the fight breaking out that made me do it.

"I wanted to dive in to save Sammy. Sammy's my man. I got into trouble on the pitch.

"I'm quite gutted about the ban on all UK matches."

In a bid to show that pitch invasions will not be tolerated, Swindon Town FC slammed a life-ban on Stebbing.

Safety manager, Clive Doyle said: "The pitch is sacrosanct and this type of behaviour could cause massive public disorder. It only takes one.

"It gives Town supporters a bad name and is just not acceptable.

"The ban on going to all UK matches is spot on."

The FA also supports such strict punishment.

A spokesman said: "As well as disrupting the game, pitch invasions can be very dangerous as the culprits often have to climb over kids."

"Although no one was hurt the punishment shows just how serious the FA and the courts are."

Stebbing was convicted by Swindon Magistrates of going on to the playing area without lawful authority or excuse which is contrary to the Football Offences Act 1999.

Emma-Kate Lidbury