FOOTBALLERS were left shocked and angry after a Cheltenham labourer sent them racist tweets.
Ben Townsend admitted two charges of sending an offensive message by a public communications network to Northampton Town footballers, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Clarke Carlisle.
Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard the 25-year-old "targeted" players on May 7 and May 8, after The Cobblers beat Cheltenham Town in the second leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.
Greg Gordon, prosecuting, said the players were "shocked" and "offended" by the tweets.
He told the court: "There are racial elements to both tweets.
"Both of these players were shocked and angry by what they received and clearly found it to be very offensive. In answer to what he had received, Mr Carlisle retweeted it and responded to it. The defendant was arrested and interviewed the next day.
"He said he had looked at a couple of Northampton Town players on Twitter.
"He didn't know how to pronounce one of the player's names and sent the messages.
"One says 'monkey boy' – the message to Mr Akinfenwa – and 'coon' is said to Mr Carlisle."
Carlisle, who captained Northampton that night, was an ambassador for anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out.
Townsend, of Norwich Drive, sent the messages from an iPod at the home he shares with his mother. He had 106 followers on Twitter at the time.
Lisa Ellis, defending Townsend, said he supported Arsenal and was not a Cheltenham Town fan, but had knowledge of the game at Whaddon Road.
"He is very embarrassed and regretful for what he did," Ms Ellis said. "This is Mr Townsend being sat at home, having had a couple of drinks, disappointed with the result.
He had a few drinks; he was frustrated and made the comments."
Townsend, who has a previous conviction for criminal damage, said he had written letters of apology to the players.
District Judge Joti Bopa-Rai adjourned the case for sentencing on July 4.
She said: "He has tweeted to the two players who, I have been told, are not white.
"He has obviously targeted them and that is not behaviour the courts are going to tolerate.
"It may have only been seen by a few people but these things, when they are in the public domain, can have the ability to snowball.
"One of the players felt strongly enough about what was said to respond.
"I can't blame him. The words used have racist associations."
Northampton beat the Robins 1-0 on the evening, securing their place in the play-off final at Wembley.
They went on to lose at Wembley to Bradford City 3-0 and remain in League Two.
