A football hooligan has been banned from matches for a second time for yelling abuse during a clash between rival fans outside a Black Country railway station.

Daniel Eric Holmes, aged 22, narrowly avoided a jail term at Walsall Magistrates for his part in a fracas outside Tamebridge Parkway station. District Judge Mr Michael Morris told him: “The only reason I am not going to send you to prison today is because you had the courage to plead guilty.”

Holmes admitted one charge of threatening behaviour following the clash last November between Walsall and Shrewsbury Town supporters ahead of a FA Cup game.

Seventeen fans were arrested in dawn raids by police for their part in the fight, and Holmes was brought before the court yesterday to hear his fate.

Mrs Sheila Hicklin, defending, said that Holmes was going to visit his mother when he was caught up in the melee, but he was spotted by officers checking closed circuit television.

The court heard that he was previously banned from attending football games in October 2004.

She said that Holmes, who is unemployed, had been shouting abuse and had not been involved in any violence. Holmes, of Carrington Road, Friar Park, Wednesbury, was banned from attending matches for four years, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and given a 12-month Community Order with probation supervision.

Thirteen of the fans charged following the incident were from Shrewsbury.

Another Walsall fan Karl Varden, 21, of Keir Road, Friar Park, Wednesbury, was banned for three years from every ground in the country for his part in the clashes last month.

He admitted an offence causing fear or unlawful violence through his behaviour.

He was also sentenced to 120 hours community service with £60 costs.