A footballer has been convicted of driving his car as a “one tonne weapon” to “knock down spectators like skittles” after his team lost a match.
Lee Taylor drove his BMW into 11 supporters of the rival, some were as young as 14, after his side lost 5-0.
Taylor “lost his temper” and drove into the victims after a game in Cornelly, Bridgend county, on 19 April 2018.
Taylor, from Port Talbot, is going to sentenced in April.
A jury found him guilty of dangerous driving and 11 counts of trying to do grievous bodily harm with intent.
He claimed he was attempting to escape the teenagers when he got into his car following they called him “fatty”.
Taylor stated he did not know he had hit the boys until the police arrested him soon.
He told the court he was attempting to break up a confrontation among a Margam teammate and 15 to 20 young supporters of competitors Cornelly United outside the changing rooms when the group turned on him.
But Christopher Rees, prosecuting, stated Taylor “got into his car to drive at the youths because he lost his temper”.
Some of the boys were thrown up into the air and it was only by “sheer good fortune” none suffered severe injuries, he added.
“It was an attack that was out of all proportion to the playground nonsense that happened beforehand.”
Newport Crown Court was informed he had earlier convictions for 24 offences, consisting criminal damage, taking automobiles without authority, common assault and affray.
Judge Daniel Williams stated he would think about handing down an extended sentence for the “serious offences” after a report by the probation service.
After the hearing, Janine Davies, from the CPS, stated: “Lee Taylor used his car as a weapon, deliberately driving at the group.
“When cars are used as weapons the consequences can be devastating. We wish all those injured in this incident a speedy recovery.”
