A PREMIER league footballer has been spared a driving disqualification after he was caught speeding a month after getting his licence back.

Sunderland player Phil Bardsley was caught at 72mph in a 50mph zone in his Audi Q7 on March 3.

The 26-year-old had only recently got his licence back after he was banned in July last year for driving offences.

Bardsley, of East Rainton, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, was also fined £1,000 at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court yesterday for the offence on the westbound A690, near Durham.

Bardsley did not appear in court and was not represented.

His advisor, Des Wroe, of Mundial Sports Management, contacted the court to say Bardsley thought the hearing was on July 12 and not July 2.

Magistrates agreed to hear the case in his absence.

Bardsley was banned in July last year for collecting 12 penalty points over two years, for two speeding offences, using a mobile phone while driving and parking on a zebra crossing while he went to the bookies.

Legal advisor Steven Alderson said: “This is his fourth speeding conviction in three years and he has had two disqualifications. “It is a matter of whether you think you want to go ahead to sentence or whether you wish to call him back for a discretionary disqualification.”

His licence, which is currently clean, will be endorsed with six penalty points.

Chairman of the bench Gordon Heslop said: “We take into account this is a very poor driving record in a concentrated period.”

As well as the £1,000 fine, Bardsley will have to pay £100 in costs.