Two Wolves fans fined and banned after running onto pitch

Friends Jonathan Cable and Joshua O'Neil both pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday to going onto a playing area at a football match. The game in question was Wolves against Barnsley on August 21, which the home side won 3-1.

Cable, 21, of Bradford Street, Shifnal, evaded stewards and ran onto the field before high-fiving and hugging the French player Ronald Zubar.

O'Neil, 20, of Lambeth Drive in Priorslee, Telford, followed his friend but slipped and fell head-first into advertising hoardings on the pitch perimeter.

Mr Harmail Gill, defending the pair, cited the fact that they were in a particularly jubilant mood as it was a rare victory for the struggling team.

Wolves had not won at Molineux since December 4.

Mr Gill said of Cable: "He was in a celebratory mood.

"Mr O'Neil followed his friend but didn't actually make it onto the pitch.

"Violence certainly wasn't their intention and I understand the club have taken steps to give them lifetime banning orders from the ground."

Mr Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, said: "At 9.25pm, while the match was in play, Mr Cable ran from the Steve Bull Stand onto the pitch.

"He gave a high-five sign to one of the players and began to hug him.

"Whilst that was happening Mr O'Neil went onto the side of the pitch.

"He slipped and fell straight into the advertising hoardings and didn't get very far onto the pitch, if at all."

District Judge Michael Wheeler took into account the fact the incident took place towards the end of the game and that play was not disrupted.

He said: "In these circumstances a football banning order isn't necessary."

Both were ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, with Cable fined £65 and O'Neil £125 – the larger amount being because he is in employment and Cable is not.

Wolves confirmed both men, who were not season ticket holders, had been indefinitely banned from Molineux.

By Ann Clarkson