Football fan got caught up celebrating his side’s goal

A teenage football fan who ran on the pitch to celebrate his side scoring against St Mirren has avoided a ban on going to games.

Dylan Nicholls, 19, stormed the pitch after Motherwell went 1-0 up in Paisley in October – claiming it was because he was used to seeing his side lose.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Nicholls was identified as being a member of the “Motherwell Bois” supporters group, who describe themselves on Twitter as an “ultras” group.

But he escaped a ban on going to games and was fined after admitting a charge of breach of the peace at the match, which housed more than 4,000 fans.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Hazel Emmerson said the incident took place on October 31, just minutes after David Turnbull had put Motherwell ahead in the 30th minute of the match, which kicked off at 7.45pm.

She explained: “At around 8.25pm police officers observed the accused enter on the field of play, whilst the game was in play, and ran across the pitch, in front of the goal mouth, and through the penalty box, towards the north east corner of the pitch.

“The game was concentrated at the other end of the pitch and, consequently, match officials and players were not affected.

“The actions of the now accused caused a reaction from the home fans, situated in the west stand, whereby a large number of the fans made their way towards the front of the west stand, who subsequently had to be held back by stewards – this had the potential to cause disorder within the stadium.

“On reaching the north west area of the pitch, the accused then slipped and fell.”

He was picked up and removed from the pitch before being taken to Greenock police station where he could not be cautioned and charged because he was so drunk.

Miss Emmerson told Sheriff Moira MacKenzie that Nicholls, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, had been identified as being a member of the “Motherwell Bois risk group” and asked for a Football Banning Order to be imposed, which would have seen Nicholls banned from attending games.

But defence solicitor Amy Spencer argued he should not be made the subject of a Football Banning Order.

The lawyer said: “He has been a supporter of Motherwell his entire life.

“He was a season ticket holder but he is not anymore and simply attends games when he can.

“On this day he had travelled to Paisley with friends and had a few drinks and he was celebrating. “He says Motherwell never win. “This was captured either by a mobile phone or the BBC and went viral on Twitter. This is, essentially, a celebration that got out of hand.

“A Football Banning Order would be slightly harsh as he has been at a number of games for a number of years without incident.

“I dare say we’ll never see him in court ever again.”

After hearing that Nicholls earns £400 per week as a ground worker, Sheriff MacKenzie fined him £200, reduced from £300 as he admitted his guilt.

She added: “Due to your young age and the fact that you have no record of previous convictions I’m not going to impose a Football Banning Order.

“But be aware – if there is any more of this behaviour you will be back in court and you will be banned from football.”