Disgraced Leeds fan Cawley hit with four-month jail term

Leeds fan Aaron Cawley was yesterday jailed for 16 weeks for attacking Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during Friday night’s ill-tempered Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough, while the club he supports were left to try and clean up the mess.

Cawley, 21 and from Cheltenham, appeared at Sheffield Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty to assault and invading the pitch during Friday’s 1-1 draw against Leeds.

He was shown on television shoving once-capped England goalkeeper Kirkland to the ground moments after he conceded a 77th-minute equaliser.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates, speaking before Cawley’s court appearance, has been left upset that his club has been tarnished by the actions of one man.

“What is encouraging is that I am told the vast majority of Leeds fans were as appalled by what happened as everyone else,” Bates said.

“The idiot who ran on to the pitch better not go anywhere near Elland Road again. There are a lot of people angered by what he did.

“We have been working hard as a club to improve our image over the past few years. But this guy has done so much damage to that. It isn’t fair on the overwhelming majority of Leeds fans.

“It doesn’t do any of us any good, especially at a time when we are working so hard to get this club where it deserves to be.”

* Dougie Freedman is set for talks to become Bolton’s new manager after an about-turn from his club Crystal Palace paved the way for negotiations over the Reebok Stadium vacancy.