A CHESTER FC player has been fined £850 after he admitted drink-driving.

Gary Stopforth, 32, was found to be almost three times the legal limit for alcohol when he was stopped by police officers in the city on September 6.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday (September 23) that he had been driving a VW Caddy van on Princess Street – just yards from the police station.

A breath test revealed the Blues’ midfielder had 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35.

Stopforth, of Inch Field, Worsthorne-with-Hurstwood, Burnley, Lancs, was handed a fine of £850 and must pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

He was also banned from driving for two years.

* In a statement, Chester FC said it was aware of the incident.

The club said: "As a club, Chester Football Club take matters such as this very seriously and the incident has been dealt with and concluded internally.

"Gary is aware of the expected standards of behaviour from him and that his actions fell well below this."

Stopforth also released a statement through the club which reads: “I am very conscious of the fact that I have let down a lot of people by my actions, which I deeply regret. I have to try to make up for a terrible error of judgement and I intend to do so, first by accepting the fine and punishment handed down by the court and subsequently by my actions.

“Drink driving is a very serious offence and there is no excuse for what I have done.

“The club has been very supportive throughout this process and I want to concentrate now on my responsibilities to the Club and work hard to get back in the team.”