AN Ilkley Manchester United fan could be banned from football matches for three years after throwing a plastic bottle during a game.

Jonathan Leigh, 40, of Skelda Grange, has admitted throwing the bottle during the match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Maine Road in November last year.

But he said he was disposing of it and not launching it at rival supporters.

District Judge Robert Meakin ordered a trial of issue at Manchester Magistrates' Court after prosecutor Tim Greenald claimed Leigh had been seen by a policewoman to throw the bottle into an area of Manchester City fans.

Mr Greenald also asked the judge to impose a football ground exclusion order, saying Leigh's behaviour could have caused a disturbance.

Paul Bateman, defending, said Leigh, a man of previous good character, had thrown the bottle underhand and it had travelled only about ten feet before landing against a wall in front of the pitch. He said: "Leigh was just getting rid of the bottle and never meant it should hit anybody."

Leigh was bailed to re-appear at the court on June 1.