THREE Southampton football fans have been banned from matches after invading the pitch during an FA Cup game at St Mary's, a court heard.

A group of friends brought the Saints clash with West Ham to a halt when they invaded the pitch. 

Crown Prosecution Service solicitor, Charles Nightingale, told how the trio was "overcome with excitement and euphoria" when the home team scored.

They left their seats and ran onto the field.

Daniel Squibb, 33, of Radcliffe Road, Timothy Horstead, 32, of Byron Road, and Zarak Seagrave, 33, of Radstock Road, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court charged with going onto a playing area at a football match. 

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They all admitted to the offences committed on March 2 in the game that ended in Southampton beating West Ham 3-1 in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

David Storry, representing Squibb, told the court that his client had been "following Southampton Football Club all his life".

He had been "overcome with excitement and euphoria" at the goal, which had "got the better of him".

Seagrave, representing himself, apologised for the incident, and when asked for the reasons for his behaviour, responded: "I had a few beers. I was a bit drunk."

He added that he was a football fan and had attended a couple of games a season since he was little.

However, Horstead, also representing himself, told the court that he was "not particularly a football fan" and had in fact "never been to a match before".

After 25 minutes of deliberation, the magistrates decided on a three-year banning order and fines amounting to £239 each.

Earlier this year, Saints fan, James Durkin was also banned from going to football matches. 

The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to throwing a missile at a spectator's area. 

The charge came following the Southampton game against Newcastle in March.

Durkin of Cleveland Road, Southampton, told police officers he threw chewing gum at rival supporters in the “heat of the moment”.

He was ordered to pay a £100 fine, £34 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

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