A Clarets fan who threw glass and beer bottles at police and abused them as they escorted rival supporters has been banned from all soccer matches for three years.

Lee Smith, 20, a Burnley follower since he was a boy, may also face a life ban from Turf Moor after his involvement in the trouble, which made one police officer feel frightened and threatened, the town's magistrates were told.

Smith, who has a previous conviction for football trouble, was given 180 hours community punishment as well as the banning order and must pay £140 costs.

The defendant, of Romney Avenue, Burnley, who could face up to six months in jail, if he flouts the order, had earlier admitted affray, last April 21.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Burnley were playing Birmingham City and after the match police were escorting the away supporters back to the train station en masse.

About 5.30pm, more than 100 men, mostly Clarets supporters, had gathered outside the White Hart and they became rowdy, chanting songs and drinking immediately in front of the pub. The Birmingham City supporters were brought down Church Street and a group in front of the pub moved towards the police, throwing bottles and pint glasses as they did so.

Mr Robinson said more and more men were spilling out of the pub, shouting, swearing and rushing at the officers, who decided to try and push them back into the pub.

One officer looked up in the pub foyer to see the defendant raise an empty pint glass and throw it in his direction. The policeman dodged to one side and felt it "whizz," past his ear and smash behind him.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said if Smith was given community punishment, he fully accepted he would have to make sacrifices at weekend. He had not helped himself by having a previous football related offence.

The defendant, who had supported Burnley since he was a boy, could possibly face a life ban from Turf Moor.

He had become involved in the incident towards the end but had no particular aggression to vent towards the police or the Birmingham City supporters. He allowed himself to be involved for a reason he could not explain.

Mr Bradshaw added the offence was an aberration, despite Smith's previous conviction. He was relieved not to be facing jail and was anxious to start his community punishment.