Tempers flared at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park after an equalising goal by Henri Lansbury was chalked off by the referee, as then captain Jack Grealish was booked for a dive in the build up. A total of eight men were charged with affray following an incident with stewards in the aftermath.

       Ms Carvell said neither Baker nor Kershaw were "typical football hooligans".

       She told the court Kershaw, of Swadlincote Derbyshire, owns a classic car restoration business and has lost a work contract after photos emerged of him at the match.

       Prosecutors say Kershaw "slapped" an officer on the head as they tried to arrest another football fan who was misbehaving at the match.

       This other man was never apprehended, the court heard.

       Ms Carvell said: "The slap was to the top of the officer's hat. Mr Kershaw reacted impulsively.

       "He is a passionate Aston Villa fan. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather lived opposite the park and he has been attending matches for 20 years and never been involved in an incident.

       "He says he is sorry, ashamed and embarrassed and that it is extremely out of character."

       Baker was told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and Kershaw was told to carry out 120. They were both told to pay costs and a victim surcharge of ￡175.

       At a hearing on Monday(October 4) Fairgrieve of Wootton, Northampton, was fined ￡668 for grabbing a steward for "a few seconds" during the melee.

       Prosecutor Caroline Floyd said: "The footage shows Mr Fairgrieve grabbing hold of a steward and then being held back. He is held and dragged back by two males."

       Ms Carvell said the health and safety advisor was provoked by stewards who allegedly shouted that the fans were "white trash" and "w*****s".

       A statement from Aston Villa Football Club was read in court, stating discussions had been held about the lifelong fan and it had been agreed he could continue to support the team at matches.

       The club said: "He has been known as one of our most dedicated supporters. He has since signed an acceptable behaviour agreement to ensure future exemplary conduct."

       Scaffolders Kurt Griffiths of Perry, Birmingham, and his son Reece Griffiths of Great Barr, Birmingham, were given three month community orders with a six week electronically monitored tag.

       The season ticket holders were also told to pay ￡180 in court costs.

       Ms Floyd said: "Footage shows Rhys Griffiths at the front of the stands he is pushing at stewards and is then seen to grab hold of another from behind. He then grabs hold of his father and holds him back.

       "Kurt Griffiths is seen at the front of the stands to grab a steward on the upper body. He falls down and he is then seen to be pushing another steward away and is held back by his son. His behaviour is described as being aggressive and he is seen to grab a police officer from behind."

       At earlier hearings, Ross, from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, was handed a community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and pay ￡175 in fines, and Voss, of Paignton, Devon, was told to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay ￡180 in costs.