A YOB who racially abused a Southend United player has been banned from attending football matches for three years.

Leyton Orient fan Michael Bowie, 28, admitted racial chanting at a black Southend United player when the two teams met recently at Roots Hall.

The identity of the player was not given during the Court hearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Bowie, of Newcomen Road, Leytonstone, was given the banning order and ordered to pay a £205 fine and £85 costs.

Lesley Chipps, prosecuting, said Bowie was arrested at Roots Hall during the game on September 4, after he made monkey noises and impressions at the player.

Bench chairman Anne Wade said: “We have taken into account your previous good character and you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Three years is the most appropriate banning order.”

The banning order means he is unable to attend any regulated football match, which includes any match involving at least one team from the Blue Square Premier league up to Premiership level.

He is also barred from any international fixtures involving England.

Speaking afterwards, PC Dick Spooner said: “Racism should not be tolerated in life at all, let alone in football.

“Players and supporters of opposing teams do not deserve to have racist remarks and gestures made towards them. We are very happy with today’s result and encourage other supporters to take note – there is simply no place for racism in football”.

As part of the banning order, Bowie must surrender his passport to police before any overseas fixtures involving either Leyton Orient or the England national team.

He cannot enter four roads around Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium four hours before or after any match kick-off time and, for the same time period, is barred form certain pubs near the ground.

Bowie also cannot enter any town or city where Leyton Orient are playing away matches, or, if the matches are in London or Birmingham, he cannot go within a five-mile radius of the stadium concerned.

Southend United spokesman David Scriven said: “Southend United are a family club and will not tolerate racial discrimination of any kind at Roots Hall.”

Bowie apologised to the court for his actions.