A LIFE-long Clarets fan said to have thrown punches at a rival supporter came off worse when he ended up being trampled by a police horse, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how father-of-two Simon Cowburn, 38, had been pushed away and fell under the horse's hooves after he was involved in trouble following the Burnley v Birmingham City match on November 25.

The defendant was given a 12-months conditional discharge with £50 costs, but was spared a football banning order.

The bench said he had attended many past matches without problems and it was unlikely he would take part in any future soccer-related offences.

Cowburn admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court the offence took place on Belvedere Road after the match, as thousands of supporters were leaving Turf Moor.

A special constable became aware of a disturbance and saw a man lunge towards a group of Birmingham City fans. The man then threw two punches at a man.

Cowburn was pushed out of the way by a colleague of the victim, fell under the police horse, was arrested and said : "I'm sorry".

Mr Robinson said the mounted officer would say he spotted nine or 10 away supporters gesticulating towards a group of Burnley fans.

He then saw a man raise his fist, move towards the Birmingham group and punch one of them in the face.

The officer grabbed Cowburn, of Cherry Avenue, Bury, who lost his balance and fell in front of the horse.

Brian Irlam, defending, said Cowburn, a family man, would come to watch Burnley with his brother-in-law.

The defendant, who was not wearing anything suggesting he was a Burnley supporter, would say they were walking back to their car when he was barged quite violently on his shoulder.

The other man was not wearing Birmingham City colours and Cowburn categorically refuted any suggestion he knew the man was a rival fan.

Mr Irlam said the defendant was pushed under the police horse and "trampled."

The defendant attended about 90 per cent of home matches and about 50 per cent of away games and his behaviour previously had been impeccable, the court heard.