A FOOTBALL fan who directed a tirade of racist abuse at players and a manager has been given a banning order.

Philip John Ward, of Tintern Avenue, Tyldesley, was found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence following a trial at Bolton Magistrates Court.

The Bolton Wanderers supporter was issued with a fine and costs and given a three-year football banning order on Tuesday.

During the match between Bolton Wanderers and Burnley on February 11, 32-year-old Ward was observed by a steward, who was operating as a plain clothes spotter, to shout racist abuse at two players in relation to their ethnicity.

He also directed abuse at the manager in relation to his nationality.

Police were made aware and he was subsequently arrested.

PC Rob Smith, from GMP’s Force Events Section, said: “Philip Ward and people of his ilk – whose bigot mind-sets are out of place and touch with decent members of our society – have no place and are not welcome in any walk of modern life, including sporting events.

“The type of vile nonsense spouted by Taylor is offensive to most but is especially unpalatable to those parents who were nearby with their young children.

“To vehemently target the manager and players of a team you are supposed to be supporting is also indicative of the intolerable person he is.

“We want to work with clubs and the FA and other organisations to stamp out such behaviour and would encourage anyone who experiences or hears anyone committing these types of offences to report it to police.”

In a statement, the club said: “BWFC will not condone such behaviour from any of our supporters and we will work with police as necessary as on this occasion.”