THREE Oxford United fans were today banned from attending football matches for three years for invading the Kassam Stadium’s pitch.

John McMahon, Joseph Nicholls and Paul Woodburn encroached on the pitch after James Constable’s goal in United’s game against Northwich Victoria on April 26.

They denied charges of entering the field of play and said they had been sober.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard the game was “police free” and the crowd of 10,298 was in the control of stewards.

Nicholls told the court the pressure of the crowd moving behind him after the goal meant his shins were pinned to a metal bar in the stand. He said he went over the barrier to relieve the pain.

The 29-year-old, who previously served a two year banning order following clashes between Chester City and Oxford fans in 2006, added: “I remember thinking ‘this hurts, I’ve got to do something’ and I was pushed on the pitch.”

Witney United player McMahon, 27, said: “I instinctively went forward, still being pushed from behind... I ran forward to get away.”

Woodburn, 41, who was given a football exclusion order in 1995, said: “The steward opened the emergency gate... and I popped out like a cork.”

Caroline Hitchcock, prosecuting, showed the court DVDs and photos of all three men celebrating in and around the 18-yard box.

Woodburn, of Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, was fined £300 and £250 costs.

Nicholls, of Vineyard, Abingdon, was fined £200 and £100 costs.

McMahon, of Fern Hill Road, Cowley, was fined £150 and £100 costs.

All three were banned from football matches for three years and from being around the Kassam Stadium on matchdays, and each told to pay a £15 victims’ surcharge.

The court heard about 20 other pitch invaders had been dealt with by way of cautions and acceptable behaviour contracts because they admitted being on the pitch.

Two other men who admitted going on the field last year and were also given three-year banning orders and fines.