SEVEN football fans who escaped a match-day ban despite being convicted of racist chanting have now been barred by their club.

Magistrates sparked anger last week when they refused a police request to stop the men attending Hartlepool United games at Victoria Park, and fined them £150 each instead.

But the Third Division club has now won praise from police and anti-racism campaigners for moving to exclude the yobs from the ground.

Superintendent Dave Horner, head of operations for Hartlepool Police, said: "I am pleased to see the club have taken this pro-active stance.

"It shows the club supports the police view that this sort of behaviour should not be tolerated and should be stamped out."

Ged Grebby, project co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card, said: "I am happy that they have acted and these individuals have been banned. I think it sets a good tone at Hartlepool United - we want anti-racist fans supporting the team."

The banned men are Phillip Bailey, 41, of Mason Walk, Stephen Anthony Booth, 30, of Young Street, Paul Andrew Gale, 29, of Flint Walk, Paul Noel Hind, 38, of Honiton Way, Michael Hutchinson, 37, of Newquay Close and Jonathan Richard Watson, 19, and Stanley Watson, 46, both of Callander Road, all Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Magistrates' Court was last week shown video footage of the men standing among a group of 50 fans in the Mill House Stand seats chanting racial abuse during Pool's home match with Oldham Athletic on September 6.

All seven, who admitted indecent or racial chanting, apologised for their actions through their solicitors and said they did not realise they were being racist at the time.