A TRANMERE Rovers fan seen waving a lit flare during the game at Accrington Stanley has escaped a football banning order.

Blackburn magistrates told Daniel Seels they were taking into account his previous good character in deciding not to impose an order, which could have hampered his aspiration to be a PE teacher.

Seels, 20, of Rydal Bank, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to possessing a flare at a sporting event. He was fined £155 with £105 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Seels initially claimed he had picked the flare up off the floor. But CCTV clearly showed him waving it above his head before passing it to another man.

When he was interviewed Seels said he had been stupid after consuming alcohol before entering the ground.

Osman Munir, defending, said Seels had not brought the flare into the ground but accepted picking it up and waving it.

“This was an isolated incident," said Mr Munir. “He is a man of good character and there is no history of violence or disorder.”

Mr Munir said his client was training to become a PE teacher and urged the magistrates to consider carefully whether a football banning order was necessary.