Three Bury football fans have admitted invading the pitch during a match at Forest Green Rovers last month.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court yesterday the trio pleaded guilty to going onto the New Lawn pitch during a League Two game between Forest Green Rovers and Bury FC on January 19. Bury won 2-1.

Although the men admit the offence they want to contest any order banning them from attending Bury matches.

The defendants, Lewis Tansey, 19, his dad Sean Tansey, 46, and their friend Antony Grindrod, 39 were all bailed to return to court on March 11 for sentence and for a full hearing into their opposition to any ban.

The magistrates heard that on Jan 19th Bury supporters were in the West stand at New Lawn with home supporters in the East, North and South stand. But there were also a small number of Bolton Wanderer supporters in the North stand who unrolled their club flag.

This led to 'a series of insults and hand gestures' for around 20 minutes before Forest Green Rovers scored a goal at 3:30pm, the prosecution said. The three defendants then climbed over the barrier to confront the Bolton supporters. Tansey junior was apprehended by stewards.

Grindrod was seen on CCTV picking up a grey stool, waving it above his head, then slamming it down on the barrier. Tansey senior was seen running towards his son and trying to pull him away from the stewards but was then detained as well.

The magistrates order the bail conditions remain in place 'given the level of violence and aggression seen in the CCTV evidence.'