Former Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland footballer Glenn Whelan has avoided a driving ban for speeding — because he needs to drive to football games.
Whelan, who already had nine points on his licence, was caught driving at 49mph in a 40mph limit on the A55 at Aber, near Bangor.
The midfielder, aged 38, of Wilmslow in Cheshire, played for Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City, and earned more than 90 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Prosecutor Brian Robinson said at Mold magistrates’ court : ”Mr Whelan has nine penalty points on his licence, all being speeding matters.”
The player admitted speeding but pleaded “exceptional hardship” to keep his licence.
Paul Reddy, defending, said Whelan drove 30,000 miles-a-year on average. The player had been returning from a ferry trip to Ireland to see his sick mother, early on 20 May last year. Mr Reddy said there had been a “momentary lapse of concentration” at the roadworks.
Whelan, who earns £4,000-£5,000-a-month playing for League Two side Bristol Rovers, would be unable to travel home by train at night following mid-week games.
He was also coach for his son’s Sunday football team.
“I request you consider giving him a further lifeline, allowing him to keep his licence,” Mr Reddy said to the magistrates.
Court chairman John Perera fined the footballer £307 with £144 costs and three points. The magistrate said Whelan had an “unusual” lifestyle.
If he were banned, it could affect his son’s football team, jeopardise his potential role as a player-coach, and he was the breadwinner for the family.
“He will be an extremely careful driver for the foreseeable future.”
