A devoted Oxford United fan spoke of his relief last night after winning an appeal against his conviction for football violence.

Liam Walker, 29, was banned from all football matches for three years after being found guilty of taking part in violent clashes wit rival fans before an Oxford United match with York City His conviction for a public order offence was quashed, after an appeal hearing at Oxford Crown Court ruled that his identification at the scene by two police officers was unsafe.

Mr Walker's three-year football banning order was also overturned.

Mr Walker, of Cherwell Avenue, Kidlington, told the Oxford Mail: "Common sense has prevailed. I was convicted because of the people I hang around with. I was convicted by association.

"Football has been a very important part of my life. I have been going since I was a babe in arms in the late 1970s "Now I I've got it back I hope police will allow me to go and enjoy it. I have always maintained my innocence and co-operated fully with the police.

"Thankfully in the fullness of time, I have been allowed the result I wanted. Police have got a difficult job to do, but I can explain in this particular case how they came to believe I was involved."

Asked if he was ever a football hooligan, Walker replied: "I have an exemplary record and that speak for itself."

The court heard that Walker's mugshot was on a football hooligans' spotters list used by police to pick out troublemakers at Oxford United matches.

Joanne Seer, prosecuting said about 100 rival hooligans clashed in Blackbird Leys Road for a pre-arranged fight before the match in September 2006. Mr Walker was said to be a ringleader Mr Walker, a social worker at an Oxford children's home, told the court he watched the trouble from a distance and was not involved in the violence.

Pc Steve Norman, football liaison officer, said he saw Mr Walker with a group of fans from his spotters list during the trouble.

Sophie Murray, defending said there was no mention of Walker causing trouble in Pc Norman's match report and a fellow police officer had less than a minute to identify troublemakers during "hectic" events.

Clearing Walker, the Recorder, Edward Jenkins praised the bravery of police officers, but added the identification of Walker was unsafe.

He said: "The conviction is quashed, but I hope it's clear I compliment the officers for the difficult duty they had to perform."