Seth Johnson signed for Leeds in 2001

Johnson, 24, was stopped on the M62 near Bradford shortly after midnight on 21 August, Dewsbury magistrates heard.

The player, from Wetherby, near Leeds, admitted charges of speeding and drink driving.

He was sentenced to 100 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Pulled over

Richard Ogden, prosecuting, told the court an unmarked police vehicle had followed a Porsche 911 on the motorway for seven miles.

The speeds ranged from 100mph to a maximum of 135mph.

Johnson pulled over for the police and said: "I know I've been stupid."

He was arrested after he gave a positive breath test showing he had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body.

Johnson originally faced a charge of racing on a public highway which has now been withdrawn.

'Foolish' decision

The court heard he had been surprised by the high level of alcohol on his breath.

But he admitted he had been drinking at a family funeral earlier that day, and had then drunk more when he stopped to watch an England match on the way home.

Peter Cadman, defending, said: "Foolishly and wrongly he decided to drive home to be with his pregnant girlfriend."

He has let himself down and he has let the club down Leeds boss Peter Reid

The court heard he had two previous speeding convictions.

In sentencing him, David Haywood said: "We consider that the drink-drive offence is aggravated by the speed at which you were driving and your previous record."

After the court case Leeds United manager Peter Reid told the player to now get on with his football.

He said: "The kid has made a stupid mistake - and he is a smashing kid - and he has paid the penalty.

"I think the world of him as a lad, even though I've not known him for that long, but as a footballer, he has let himself down and he has let the club down."