SPECTATOR Michael Gamble has been banned from youth football games after a court heard how he invaded a junior match and threw a bottle of water at a boy, knocking him to the ground.

Gamble, 41, of Blackthorn Mews, Chippenham, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay the victim £75 compensation and £395 court costs by North Avon magistrates after he admitted common assault.

The court heard he was supporting an under-13 junior football team from FC Chippenham against South Gloucestershire under 13s in March.

Gamble claimed a Chippenham player had been unfairly tackled by a Gloucestershire player. The Chippenham player had already been fouled and when a similarly strong challenge occurred minutes later, Gamble rushed on to the pitch.

He hurled a bottle at the boy, hitting him behind the ear.

Chairman of the bench Michael West said: "Perhaps this was on the spur of the moment, but it was a serious offence."

Gamble apologised to the boy but has been banned from being a spectator at any matches involving the team.

The Wiltshire Football Association has already taken action against the club. In August, FC Chippenham was fined £150 and given a final warning about its conduct.

The club was also ordered to pay a suspended £100 fine imposed for an earlier incident involving its spectators.

FA discipline secretary Malcolm Baldwin, said: "We appreciate it is difficult for clubs like FC Chippenham to control spectators, but this is a growing problem and one we are determined to deal with."