A LIFE-LONG Burnley FC fan has been convicted of making monkey gestures at former England star Paul Ince.

But season ticket holder George Jackson, 44, has spoken out to protest his innocence and declare: "I'm no racist."

Jackson, of Lyndhurst Road faces being banned from Turf Moor forever after the incident in February.

Burnley magistrates were told that Jackson was spotted making gestures by a steward as Ince, a Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder at the time, stood in front of Clarets supporters.

Ince, who scored the goal in the 1-0 win, did not make a complaint. Jackson was convicted of racial harassment after a trial.

The father of two, who had been at the game with his family, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and told to pay £250 costs.

He was also banned from attending football matches for three years. But Jackson, speaking after the case, said: "I am not going to apologise because I didn't do anything wrong.

"Paul Ince didn't make a complaint. I was having banter with him like the rest of the crowd. I just stuck my tongue out at him and he did it back.

"This is really unfair. I don't know what to do now. I am not a racist, but because of this people are making comments saying look, that's the racist'." Bench chairman Alan Preston said steward Mark Jackson saw the defendant commit the offence. He added: "Mr Jackson was the best person on that football field to see whether you were making these gestures.

"He was facing you and everybody else was facing Paul Ince."

Mr Preston told the defendant the conditional discharge was a very light punishment, but there was good reason. He added: "We are imposing a football banning order for three years.

"We believe that that's the greatest punishment you can suffer."

David Leach, defending, said Jackson, a season ticket holder for most of his life, was on income support.

Alex Wood, ground safety officer at Burnley FC said: "The club fully supports the court's decision.

"We will continue to help prosecute persons committing offences at matches. Mr Jackson will receive a life ban from Burnley FC."