A Middlesbrough fan has been barred from attending matches after he was given a two-year football banning order for mixing with hardcore hooligans.

Police video footage showed Stuart Allan Pinchbeck mixing with known football hooligans at games across the country over a six year period. The 29-year-old of Park Avenue, Teesville, did not oppose Cleveland Police's application at a hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court today.

Despite no video evidence showing Mr Pinchbeck's direct involvement in any violent disturbances Detective Sergeant Ian Fawcett, head of the force's football intelligence unit, told the hearing he had been spotted at a number of games where disorder had occurred.

DS Fawcett's team had compiled an hour's worth of footage that covered games up and down the country including Boro's final home game of last season against Tottenham Hotspur and as far back as a game against Manchester United in 1999.

In mitigation Mr Pinchbeck's solicitor, Simon Walker, said his client has only accepted the order as he could no afford to fight the civil case.

He said: "It would appear that Mr Pinchbeck hasn't done anything. He has been in or around a group that has been involved in police concern surrounding possible disorder.

"I find myself in a difficult position as all the bullets seem to be in guns the police have and non in the one we have to fire."

Magistrate Mrs Sonia Brogdon made the two-year order despite agreeing that evidence failed to show Mr Pinchbeck's direct involvement in violence.

She said: "We agree that the video didn't show him at all times but he contributed with the fighting. He was involved with a group and in some cases he was clearly involved in disorder.

"The police and the public should not be subjected to the sort of behaviour seen on the video."