John Courtenay denies the charges

John Courtenay, 54, was seen struggling with Lincoln City staff near the dressing-room area during a match on 17 August 2002, magistrates at Gainsborough heard on Monday.

The incident allegedly happened after trouble flared up when the chairman and Carlisle United striker Richie Foran, 23, were asked to leave their seats.

Stewards at Lincoln's Sincil Bank ground tried to escort the Dublin businessman and the striker towards the dressing rooms, magistrates were told.

'Full-scale brawl'

But within seconds the pair were at the heart of a "chaotic full-scale brawl" involving up to 10 people, it is alleged.

Lincoln City Council chief executive Andrew Taylor told the court how at one stage he saw Courtenay "direct a head-butt" at the home team's chief steward.

He "jerked his head forward in a butting motion" at least two more times after the men fell to the floor, magistrates heard.

Mr Taylor claimed that earlier Mr Courtenay appeared to swing his fists and wave his arms at stewards while Mr Foran gestured at them in a "come on" fashion.

Mr Courtenay, of Dublin, and Mr Foran, of Carlisle, both deny threatening behaviour.

The court heard Carlisle won the bad-tempered match 1-0 after Lincoln missed a penalty in the dying minutes.