A Canaries supporter was spotted in the stands at Carrow Road despite being banned from all football matches for six years.    

Sam Burgess, 32, admitted attending the Carabao Cup game between Norwich City and Stevenage because he was “missing football terribly”.

Abu Kamara celebrates after scoring first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup matchAbu Kamara celebrates after scoring first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup match (Image: PA)

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he had been made subject of a banning order in November 2019 after being convicted of football-related offences. 

READ MORE: Norwich City beat Stevenage to advance in Carabao Cup

Catherine Newsome, prosecuting, said he had been spotted among fans at the match on August 13 by a police officer on duty between the South Stand and Lower Barclay.

“The officer recognised him as someone who was banned,” she said.

“He was seen to leave the stand shortly before half-time when attempts were made to stop him. He left through a different exit but was arrested a short time later.” 

READ MORE: Norwich fans third best behaved in Championship

She said the self-employed roofer had admitted a “deliberate breach” but had told officers he was “missing football terribly as he is a massive Norwich City fan”.

Norwich eventually won the match 4-3 thanks to second half goals from Borja Sainz and Onel Hernandez but the score line was 2-2 at half-time meaning he missed the winning goal. 

Onel Hernandez and Stevenage player Charlie Goode compete for the ball in August 13 match Onel Hernandez and Stevenage player Charlie Goode compete for the ball in the August 13 match (Image: PA)

Burgess, of Poppy Crescent in Easton, who has 13 previous convictions for 16 offences, admitted failing to comply with the football banning order. 

READ MORE: Banned Norwich fan failed to surrender passport before England match

The court was told it was his second breach of the order after failing to comply with a requirement to surrender his passport ahead of England playing Hungary in the UEFA Nations League in June 2022.

Maya Lal, mitigating, said he had mistakenly believed his ban was for five years rather than six. 

“He is very sorry for his actions. He is a hugely passionate Norwich City fan who attended his first match as a five-year-old. He also has two young children who he is not able to take to watch the team,” she added. 

Magistrates fined him £80 and ordered he pay £157 costs.