Teenage streaker is banned for lifeFrom the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 19th Mar 2004.
A TEENAGER fulfilled an ambition when he stripped off and paraded across the County Ground pitch in a St Patrick's Day stunt.
But Liam Kerrigan's prank has landed him a life ban and Swindon Town Football Club could now end up being fined up to £50,000 by the Football League.
The 16-year-old St Joseph's School pupil and self-confessed thrillseeker left his clothes with friends in the Nationwide Stand and, save for a pair of lucky emerald green pants, ran the length of the pitch during Town's 2-0 victory over Grimsby on Wednesday night.
His friends have also received life bans, subject to appeal.
Irishman Liam, who plays the piano and sings with the Kentwood Choir, decided he would run across the pitch after watching a match on television with his friends. And the bold teenager says he is one-tenth of the way to completing a list of things he wants to do before he dies.
He said: "I am a thrillseeker, but get really worried about stuff and just have to do it. I came running down the steps of the stand and everyone was cheering it was amazing.
"I was called a legend at school because everyone thought it was hilarious." Tommy Mooney's brace ensured the Robins bagged all three points and remain in contention for promotion, but Liam's stunt ensured it was a hat-trick of moonies on one night after he cheekily gestured to the away fans.
To yelps of delight from the 7,000-strong crowd stewards chased Liam up the Stratton Bank before a uniformed policemen eventually caught him. Inspector Bob Walton of Swindon police said: "It was not difficult to do a full body search on this person. Thankfully he kept his modesty." He was arrested and held in custody at Westlea police station where he was given Silence of the Lambs to read in his cell, but eventually let off with a caution.Clive Doyle, Swindon Town's safety officer, said: "What he didn't realise is that he committed a criminal offence and Swindon Town could end up being fined as much as £50,000 by the Football League for this.''
Giles Sheldrick
http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2004/3/19/122238.html
