John Courtenay denies the charges

Gainsborough Magistrates' Court heard chairman John Courtenay was involved in a "chaotic scrap" after being asked to leave the directors' box.

Player Richie Foran, who had been sent off earlier in the match, was also found guilty.

During the trial, Courtenay said he was "sucked into" the brawl.

Both Courtenay, 54, and Foran, 22, denied charges of threatening behaviour at the match in August 2002.

The incident happened at Lincoln's Sincil Bank ground

Courtenay was sentenced to 150 hours community service while Foran, who has previous convictions for violence in the Republic of Ireland, was sentenced to 200 hours.

Violence broke out after Courtenay and the Carlisle striker were asked to leave the directors' box towards the end of the match.

The pair had just seen Lincoln miss a penalty to hand Carlisle a 1-0 victory - despite the visitors having had three men, including Foran, sent off.

District Judge John Friel ordered each of them to pay �50 in compensation to a steward caught up in the brawl and �800 in costs.

He did not ban them from future matches but told Courtenay he was "frankly stunned" by his behaviour and said Foran appeared to "enjoy violence".

Speaking outside court, Courtenay said he would be considering an appeal and claimed Lincoln's fans and stewards were responsible for the trouble.

The FA said it would contact the police within the next few days with a view to holding an inquiry.

But the MP for Carlisle, Eric Martlew, a supporter of the team, said he did believe there ought to be further repercussions.

He acknowledged it had been something the club could have done without, but the matter had been dealt with in the courts.