Eastleigh Fan Invaded Pitch During Bolton FA Cup Tie to Win Back Girlfriend

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An Eastleigh fan who ran onto the pitch during his side's 1-1 draw with Bolton earlier this month did so in the name of love, according to the Mirror's Sophie Evans.

John Dynes, 51, took to the Silverlake Stadium turf during the FA Cup third-round draw in an attempt to win back his ex-girlfriend, the Southampton Magistrates' Court has heard.

He was wearing a jumper emblazoned with the words "Dreams Come True" as well as some rather arbitrary references to UNICEF and Adidas.

"He thought it would be the last chance to get his girlfriend back by getting on Match of the Day," prosecutor Charles Nightingale told the court. "His intention was that he would run onto the pitch and attempt to score in the opposing goalmouth that he was running towards."

The dash was caught on TV cameras at the ground. Unfortunately for Dynes, so was its failure, as he slipped in the Bolton penalty area while the ball was being cleared away from the goalmouth.

"He was desperate to get the attention of his ex-girlfriend by scoring a goal but he has failed in his mission and is sorry for his actions," lawyer Gaylene Coles said. "It was a foolish thing to do but I do not believe there are any mental health issues there."

He has been fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs as well as a £20 victim surcharge.

It sounds like there was no fairy-tale ending for Dynes or Eastleigh, who lost the replay 3-2 two weeks later.

[Mirror]