A LIFELONG Darlington FC supporter was yesterday banned from watching his beloved Quakers - just hours before the kick-off of one of their biggest games in years.

Lee Davison was given a three-year football banning order for becoming embroiled in a fight after a pre-season friendly match in the town.

The order was made on the same day that the Quakers were gearing up for their eagerly-anticipated Carling Cup clash against bitter rivals Hartlepool United.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that the 21-year-old had attended the game between the Quakers and Middlesbrough on July 23.

But, after the game was abandoned due to a bomb scare, scores of fans of both clubs congregated in the nearby Copper Beech pub, in Neasham Road.

Prosecutor Jacqueline Gibson said that police had spotted a fight between about 20 people.

Miss Gibson said: "Two people in particular were fighting with each other, one of those being the defendant."

She said Davison punched his victim four or five times in the face and, when the man tried to get back to his feet, hit him again.

However, Lyanne Steinberg, mitigating, said Davison had only stepped in to protect a friend who was arguing with another man.

"He is a lifelong Darlington supporter who goes to most of their games," she said.

"He has followed them all over and this is the first time he has been in any trouble related to football."

She added: "He stepped in to assist his friend and it was at that point that the police became involved.

"They didn't see the trouble start, they came in halfway through."

Davison, of Peabody Street, Darlington, admitted a charge of using threatening or abusive behaviour. He was given a £100 fine and ordered to pay £34 costs.

Magistrates also imposed a three-year football banning order on Davison.

The order means that Davison cannot be in Neasham Road or any other path or track leading to the Darlington Football Stadium two hours prior to kick-off on match days, or one hour after a game has ended.

In addition, he cannot be in any town or city on a match day where Darlington are playing away from home.

The same order applies to England international matches.