Andy Nicholls is banned from attending football games in 2003

Andy Nicholls, 42, from Rhosesmor, Mold, bought a ticket for a long stay space but parked in a short stay one.

Flintshire magistrates heard Nicholls, who said he ripped up the ticket after being annoyed with the "pettiness of it all", had threatened the attendant.

The Holywell FC boss was cleared of common assault but fined £200 after admitting threatening behaviour.

The court heard that attendant John Jones put the notice on the sports' promoter's vehicle two days running at the car park in Mold last January.

Mr Jones told magistrates that he explained new parking regulations three times to Nicholls, who is chairman and former manager of Holywell Town, who play in the Cymru Alliance league.

It may be the case that we have all at times felt like strangling a traffic warden or a car park attendant   Nic Parry, defending

But he said Nicholls swore at him and asked him if he was stupid and said he "would follow me, make sure I died and put me in a coffin".

"I felt extremely threatened. I thought he was going to kill me," he said.

After the incident he said he kept "looking over his shoulder" each time he went into the car park.

But Nicholls, agreed he had been "ranting and raving" but denied assault, saying he had "never laid a finger" on Mr Jones.

He said had not realised it was an offence to pay long stay fees but park in a short stay bay.

"When I saw the ticket I thought it was a mistake. I went to him and I admit I told him what I thought. I shouldn't have, but I ripped up the ticket.

"I was very angry. I was just so annoyed by the pettiness of it all".

Autobiography

Defending Nicholls, Nic Parry told magistrates: "It may be the case that we have all at times felt like strangling a traffic warden or a car park attendant.

"But they have a job to do, they deserve respect, and they should not be abused.

"My client accepts that he was abusive and that his behaviour was unacceptable," Mr Parry added.

Nicholls was also ordered to pay £35 in costs after admitting using threatening, insulting and abusive words and behaviour at an earlier hearing.

In October 2003, Nicholls was given a two-year ban from football matches, apart from those involving his own club.

It followed the publication of his autobiography in which he admitted being regularly involved in match hooliganism for 20 years.

He was later convicted of breaching the order when he want to see Wales playing in Russia. He claimed he did not realise the ban covered Wales games as well.