Coca-Cola Divisions: Man U fan to take Birmingham to court

Celebrated Manchester United fan Pete Boyle has launched a legal battle with Birmingham City after he was thrown out of St Andrews prior to Saturday's Premiership encounter.

Boyle, who has earned legendary status among the Red Devils support and been acclaimed among the football public for his innovative 'chant' song writing, is demanding Birmingham reimburse him the £45 he paid for a ticket to a match he did not see.

The 36-year-old was part of a pre-match demonstration inside St Andrews on Saturday aimed at urging United fans not to buy programmes or refreshments as a protest against the rising price of admission.

Boyle claims stewards, in a premeditated attack, moved in after the protest had concluded and forcibly ejected him from the ground.

Boyle has already had a personal bid for a refund rejected by Birmingham, who claim he had been blocking an access route and had twice been asked to move.

This version of events has been strenuously denied by Boyle, who claims to have a number of witnesses to back up his story, and he has now decided to pursue a compensation claim for his ticket and travel costs.

Sportinglife