Midfielder Lee Taylor, 36, deliberately drove at the terrified boys after losing his temper when his team Margam FC were trounced 5-0 by local rivals Cornelly United.

The terrifying incident unfolded in Bridgend on April 19 last year.

During Taylor’s trial, prosecutor Christopher Rees said: “After being called Fatty he squared up to 15-20 teenagers saying: ‘You wanna go?’

“He got into his grey BMW and accelerated straight at the boys, knocking them down like skittles in a bowling alley.

“He deliberately mowed down the group using his vehicle as a one-ton weapon.”

“”Your fragile pride could not take the insults. You were angry and decided to exact revenge on those who dared to dent your fragile ego.”

Judge

leven boys aged between 14 and 19 were injured.

Taylor, of Port Talbot, South Wales, was found guilty of dangerous driving and 11 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 10 years.

Judge Daniel Williams blasted Taylor’s actions, saying that the hench footballer couldn’t take the stick handed to him by the youngsters who were fans of the opposing team.

He said: “Your fragile pride could not take the insults. You were angry and decided to exact revenge on those who dared to dent your fragile ego.

“You made threats of violence and then used your car as a weapon to inflict violence on the boys because a few of them had disrespected you.”

Newport Crown Court heard Taylor had a history of violence and posed a “high risk” of harm to the public.

The judge also ordered Taylor’s BMW – which was used to mow down the victims – to be confiscated.

Court service spokeswoman Janine Davies said after the case: “We built a strong case from the witness accounts and mobile phone footage, showing how Taylor reacted to the situation.

“When cars are used as weapons the consequences can be devastating. We wish all those injured in this incident a speedy recovery.

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