A NORTH-East football fan appeared in court yesterday in connection with riots which erupted before a non-league FA Trophy game.

Anthony Jaques, 21, of Farm Court, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, escaped a nationwide ban from football grounds after he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct at Burton Magistrates Court. He was ordered to pay a fine and costs of £75.

Trouble flared last Saturday before the Brewers' FA Trophy clash between Bishop Auckland Football Club and Burton Albion.

About 100 hooligans rampaged through Burton's streets before the match and there were two pitch invasions.

Police are still studying videotape footage and photographs taken from the match, and have said more arrests could be made.

They believe that the hooligans were not genuine fans of Bishop Auckland FC.

Burton magistrates were told that Jaques, who had no previous convictions, was one of the supporters who was hurling abuse during the trouble.

Martin Lewis, prosecuting, said: "He didn't actually hit anybody and he couldn't get at them anyway, because the police were in the way. I think it's fair to say alcohol had something to do with it.

"He himself indicates what he did was foolish, and he was egged on by others."

Michael Taylor, mitigating, told the court: "In the North, football is a way of life, and if he were to be prevented from going to matches, it would have a severe effect on his social life."

Another man from Bishop Auckland is due to appear before magistrates on Tuesday.

An Albion supporter who was also arrested has been released without charge.

After the cause, Bishop Auckland manager Tony Lee said: "With a tight-knit club like ours you get to know all the supporters and I didn't recognise the ones who were causing trouble."