Football: Birmingham ban supporter

A Birmingham supporter Chris Measey, who took the club to court over a controversial away travel scheme, is "dumbfounded" to have been effectively banned from St Andrew's.

Measey, who has supported the club for 40 years, was escorted from the ground when he turned up for Saturday's match with Swindon and the club are claiming they have refunded the money for his season ticket.

Measey was upset when Birmingham introduced an Away Travel Club scheme last season under which fans had to pay pounds 15 to be eligible to purchase away tickets after season ticket holders had previously been promised priority for away tickets.

He complained to the Birmingham Trading Standards and last week the club were fined pounds 20,000 and ordered to pay pounds 8,000 by Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to four offences under the Consumer Protection Act.

The club's managing director, Karren Brady, claimed that they were "exhausted" with the man.