TROUBLE erupted at a Blackburn Rovers match when Bolton Wanderers fans unfurled a banner in front of the Riverside stand.

Blackburn magistrates heard the "Trojan Horse" incident had been deliberately planned with Bolton supporters buying Rovers hats before sitting with home fans.

Kirk John Hilton, aged 19, of Grove Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was made subject to a community supervision order for 12 months, ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and banned from football matches for three years.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the incident occurred towards the end of the derby match in January, which ended 0-0.

He said the match had been uneventful until 10 minutes from time when Hilton and a group of friends gathered in front of home fans and revealed their true colours.

"The defendant went into the Blackburn Rovers store earlier in the day and bought a Blackburn cap and it is the Crown's case that this was a deliberate, planned action," said Mr White. "Unfurling the Bolton flag excited the Blackburn fans and many became violent towards the Bolton group."

Mr White said the number of children in the vicinity of the incident was particularly worrying.

Richard Prew, defending, said when the tickets were purchased Hilton wasn't aware exactly where they were for.

"For the vast majority of the game he sat quite peaceably," said Mr Prew."

"There was little worth watching on the pitch and he and his friends decided to leave.

"He did not know the flag was in the possession of the person who unfurled it."