A Liverpool FC 'super-fan' avoided a football banning order after convincing magistrates his drunken rant at police was a "one-off".
Jack McGroarty got off the train ahead of the Reds' crunch Premier League away clash against Newcastle United on May 4, and headed to The Gate entertainment complex where he began drinking.
But six pints later he was in handcuffs as the self-proclaimed "lightweight" lost the plot with police at St James Park stadium, the Newcastle Chronicle Reports .
North Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard "obnoxious" McGroarty abused and swore at police who spotted him barely able to stand as the second half began.
Sarah O'Neil, prosecuting, said: "The officer noticed a drunken male who was being held up by his friends."
The court heard he was "seven or eight out of 10" drunk when he caught the attention of police.
A police statement, read to the court said: "He was arguing, his eyes were glazed... he was stumbling on his feet.
"He was very abusive, swearing - obnoxious - he would not listen to anything he was told."
Police tried kicking him out of the high-octane tie, which Liverpool won 3-2.
The game was marred by trouble away from McGroarty's antics, as Northumbria Police made seven arrests with 22 fans ejected.
But the court heard when police asked him to leave his seat, McGroarty told officers: "I'm not f***ing leaving - I'm watching the game."
He was then marched down the stairs in handcuffs as he protested they were too tight.
But a bid to have the 25-year-old issued with a football banning order was rejected.
Instead McGroarty received a six month conditional discharge after admitting being drunk in a sports ground.
Speaking in court, he said: "I'm very embarrassed, it is totally out of character."
"(I've been a fan) since I can remember. I started going to games with my dad at about ten years-old.
"I go home and away, I used to go to every single game."
A Football Banning Order would have prevented McGroarty, who had no previous convictions, from attending matches for three years, with a potential prison sentence of up to six months if he breached it.
But Magistrates refused the application after McGroarty, a process operative, told the court his behaviour was a one off.
McGroarty said: "I've been to hundreds of games and never been in trouble once.
"I was not hurting anyone - I was just drunk."
The defendant, of Morley Street, Kettering, must also pay £85 costs and a £20 charge.
The court heard Liverpool FC had not taken any extra action against him.
