An Everton FC supporter, caught on CCTV selling cocaine to a fellow fan during an away cup-tie, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Father-of-two Liam Gray, 29, of 42 First Avenue, Fazakerley, told Isleworth Crown Court Judge Simon Davis: "The quality was a lot better than it was in Liverpool.
"It was a one-off, knocking out the gear, not a regular thing. It was so everyone could have a good time.
"I only bought it to sell to my friends and bought it in London so we could have a good time on the coach on the way home."
He pleaded guilty to possessing twenty-five wraps of cocaine, weighing nearly 20 gms, with intent to supply and supplying two wraps to the fan at Craven Cottage during his team's 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat to Fulham FC on September 24, 2013.
He was sentenced to twenty-four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and placed under the supervision of the probation service for two years.
Gray claimed he paid £750 for the drugs to a dealer he originally bought from at the Glastonbury festival earlier that year and had arranged to meet at a pub near the football ground.
He was filmed selling two wraps for £30 to Kevin Keating, 40, of Ennerdale Close, Kirkby and both were arrested son after.
Gray had £105 cash on him, plus the twenty-five wraps of cocaine concealed in his underpants and initially tried to convince police he was only selling Mr. Keating a coach ticket.
The defendant organises his own coach trips for Everton fans throughout the UK and abroad and buys all the match tickets via the supporters club.
Many of his regulars enjoy getting high, confirmed Gray. "I was going to take the cocaine on the coach on the way home and sell it at cost price to anyone that wanted any and use the rest myself.
Gray, who has a previous conviction for supplying the drug added: "Now I don't take cocaine anymore because of the effect it has had on my life."
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