A TEENAGER accepted a £200 bet to run onto the pitch during a Bradford City game - but ended up with a £180 fine for his trouble.

Manchester United fan Bradley Casserly was with friends at the Bantams' Capital One Cup clash with Leeds United last month when the challenge was made.

The 19-year-old was one of two people appearing at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court today charged with going onto the playing area at a football match.

The court heard that Casserly ran onto the pitch at about 9.10pm - roughly 60 minutes into the match that Bradford won 2-1 - and was caught quite quickly by two stewards.

Raj Kumar, defending, said Casserly had had a few drinks before going to the game and that he was challenged by his friends because he was "the odd one out" as a Manchester United supporter.

"Foolishly, being a young lad, he decided to do it," said Mr Kumar. "He apologises for his behaviour and he would like to apologise to anyone he caused any offence to."

Mr Kumar said Casserly, of Pelham Court in Undercliffe, was training to be a chef and had aspirations of opening a restaurant.

Casserly, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty and was fined £75 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge. He told magistrates that his friends had not paid him the £200 bet winnings.

Also in court on the same charge was 22-year-old Callum Sanderson, of Calderstone Avenue, Bradford.

The court heard that Sanderson had climbed over a Telegraph & Argus advertising board "in the heat of the moment" at about 9.40pm as he celebrated James Hanson's 86th-minute winner in the same game against Leeds.

Sanderson, a Bantams fan of 16 years, was not under the influence of drink or drugs and had not been in trouble before, the court heard.

His solicitor said: "He said it was a stupid thing to do and he was very sorry. He went over the board in order to celebrate with the players."

The court was told that Sanderson had been in the Royal Air Force for four-and-a-half years and had recently been put forward for officer commission. He was accompanied in court by an RAF officer who had a letter of support from Sanderson's commanding officer.

Magistrates gave Sanderson an absolute discharge.