AN ATHERTON man who has been a "fervent" Bolton Wanderers fan since the age of six has been banned from attending football matches for three years.

Jason Cooper, aged 29, of Smith Street, Atherton, pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates Court to committing a section four public order offence outside Bolton's Reebok Stadium on January 29 following the match with Manchester United.

It was claimed Cooper, a self-employed plasterer, shouted and swore at police because he did not agree with the way they were talking to another person.

Cooper was arrested after he pushed a police officer. Magistrates fined the defendant £100, ordered him to pay £60 in costs and banned him from attending football matches for three years.