HE may be Blackpool Football Club's superfan, but that didn't stop Gary Cook being thrown out of Saturday's derby clash with Burnley (November 8).

During half-time at Bloomfield Road, the stalwart Seasider was being interviewed by a BBC film crew in front of visiting fans who refused to stay silent for his 15 minutes of fame.

But after he was seen kissing his Blackpool scarf and making a one-fingered gesture to the Burnley faithful, police decided the 43-year-old from Carleton was inciting a riot and escorted him out of the ground.

Match commander Inspector Tony Pinder described Gary's behaviour as "less than acceptable" and added: "My officers saw what he was doing and ejected him from the ground. He was thrown out because of his conduct."

Gary says the incident had been blown out of proportion, however, and claims his gesture was to ask for two minutes silence while he was filmed for a BBC2 documentary about his allegiance to the Tangerines

"The crew decided to do an interview about how I thought the first half was going. The tannoy by the Scratching Sheds was too loud so we went down to the Kop," he said.

"I had my Blackpool scarf on and at the start of the interview the Burnley fans were coming out with ribald comments.

"I put up two fingers to ask for two minutes' silence and then about 300 fans gestured back at me. But it was funny because we were all laughing."

After several attempts at filming, a fed-up crew decided to eventually wrap up the interview and as Gary walked back along the touchline he kissed his scarf, only to be pelted with coins.

"A policeman came over to ask what was going on and then another told me I had already been warned once," he added.

"Then they threw me out. My wife was still in the ground and when she asked what was happening she was told I was drunk and inciting a riot which was ridiculous.

"I'd been on the beach filming for two hours that day and then I went to Boots for something to eat with my wife."

Gill Bridge, Blackpool Football Club's managing director, said of the incident: "I think Gary got a little bit overwhelmed by the occasion of a big derby match and the attention he was getting from the camera crew.

"Unfortunately, like anyone who causes trouble at the ground, the only way is out."

The documentary Gary was being filmed for, Date With An Artist, will be shown on December 17 and involves him meeting artist Jessica Voorsanger who arranged for his patio to be paved with the hand and footprints of some of the Blackpool players.

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