Former Luton town manager Gary Brabin has today told a court he did not assault two York City stewards, but instead feared for his own safety. Brabin, 41, was giving evidence at the start of his defence case at Selby Magistrates Court.
During a match at Bootham Crescent last April, he was ordered from the pitch by the referee.
One of two stewards who escorted him to the tunnel claims Brabin head butted him, the other alleges he was elbowed. But Brabin said the way the stewards were manhandling him made that physically impossible.
Brabin denies two charges of assault and one of using threatening words or behaviour. The trial continues.
The former Luton town manager Gary Brabin has gone on trial accused of assaulting two stewards at York City. The offences are alleged to have happened when the teams met at Bootham Crescent in April 2011.
Brabin, who'd been ordered off the pitch by the referee, is accused of head butting one steward and elbowing another. But his defence barrister claims they forced him to the ground and he could not have done it. Brabin denies 2 charges of assault and one of using threatening words or behaviour.
York City's success at Wembley has been praised in a Parliamentary motion. Nine Yorkshire MPs have so far signed an Early Day Motion tabled by the York Central MP Hugh Bayley, congratulating the club on it's "two outstandingly successful victories"
Motion
This house congratulates York City Football Club on its two outstandingly successful victories at Wembley in May 2012 to win the FA Trophy and promotion to the Football League;
welcomes the proposal to build a new community stadium in York; and wishes the club every success in its first season back in the Football League.
There've been great scenes in York tonight as the city's football team celebrated promotion back to the football league with an open topped bus tour and civic reception. Chris Dawkes reports
The celebration bus Credit: Chris DawkesYork players await open top bus at Bootham Crescent. Credit: Chris DawkesThe bus arrives Credit: Chris DawkesYork City fans wait for the arrival of the team bus at the Mansion House Credit: Michael Billington
An open-top bus parade will mark York City's return to the Football League.
The Minstermen secured promotion in the play-off finals with a 2-1 win over Luton Town at Wembley on Sunday. York City’s players will travel through the streets of York on an open-top bus.
They are expected to leave Bootham Crescent at 6pm and pass through Blake Street, Davygate, Parliament Street and Coney Street before ending up at the Mansion House. The parade will be followed by a reception for the players at the city's Guildhall.
Players & officials talk to Calendar after Wembley win
After York City's 2-1 Wembley win over Luton which sees them return to the Football League our Sports correspondent John Shires spoke to the Minstermen's goalscorers Matty Blair and Ashley Chambers plus manager Gary Mills , director Sophie Hicks and chairman Jason McGill
