A FOOTBALL fan has been banned from attending Southampton’s home games for three years, following post match violence in the city centre.

Gary Blanden, 27, was arrested after Saints’ clash against Millwall last August when a police officer saw a group gathered around two men on the ground.

Blanden, who had been drinking, ran off but the officer brought him to the ground. He later admitted flooring one of the men with punches.

He is the latest local fan to be banned from football matches for three years.

On Saturday, the Daily Echo reported three more – Darren W h a r t o n , Richard Bridle and a 17-yearold, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were given banning orders after they were involved in a mass brawl.

The trio were involved in a horrifying fight outside a bar in Amsterdam, hours before England played Holland in a friendly match last August.

Police footage showed glasses, chairs and a bicycle being used as weapons after a group of Dutch hooligans attacked England fans.

At Southampton Crown Court, Blanden, of Sedbergh Road, Southampton, admitted affray and, in addition to the banning order, received a six month suspended sentence and 12 months’ supervision.

“If you were not a person with no previous convictions, you would have been going to prison,” said Judge Patrick Hooton, passing sentence at the city crown court.

“You are a complete idiot. You are not a Southampton supporter, it was nothing to do with you but you joined in. You put yourself at risk all because of a bit of football hooliganism.”

David Reid, mitigating, said: “He had been drinking and allowed himself to be swept up in the heat of the moment. He is clearly mortified by what he has done.”