A TEENAGER has been banned from football matches for three years for hurling a shoe on to the pitch.

Today Paul McLaughlan, 19, apologised for his "stupid" actions but added that he didn't mean any harm and called the penalty "ridiculously harsh."

The warehouseman, who works at Woodhead Bros, Colne, threw his friend's trainer as a drunken prank during Burnley's 1-0 home win over Hull City last Friday.

He was on his way to get it back when he was arrested and held in police cells overnight.

The former Fisher-More High School pupil, of Bankhouse Road, Nelson, said: "I know now that it was a stupid thing to do. I wish I hadn't done it but I never intended to hurt anyone.

"My friend was prodding me in the back with his foot and I told him if he carried on I would throw it, I was drunk so I did and was then arrested and taken to the police station.

"It wasn't a very nice experience as I have never been in trouble before. I can't believe I have been banned from watching any football match as I am passionate about football.

"It seems ridiculously harsh."

Burnley magistrates heard his actions did not affect the game, but somebody sitting at the front of the stand could have got a "nasty clout," on the head.

McLaughlan, who has never been in trouble before, was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

The bench made a three-year football banning order and added: "That's how serious we regard this matter."

The defendant must also pay £50 costs, after admitting throwing the training shoe at the Turf Moor playing area.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was in the East stand, for home supporters, behind the goal.

About 9pm, after the start of the second half, McLaughlan threw the trainer with such force it went onto the pitch and landed close to the corner flag while the match was in progress.

McLaughlan said he had four cans of lager, three bottles of WKD and a further two pints inside the ground.

Mr Robinson continued: "Fortunately, it didn't hit anybody sitting in the front but it could have given somebody a nasty clout around the head."

He added that the defendant was not somebody seen as a hooligan and the offence appeared to be a one-off.

Nick Dearing, defending, said once McLaughlin realised what he had done he was making his way to retrieve the shoe. He realised he had been stupid and his friend had been left with only one trainer.