Rovers' coach gets driving ban

Macclesfield - Blackburn manager Steve Kean received an 18-month driving ban on Monday for drunken driving after celebrating Manchester United's Premier League title success with Alex Ferguson.

The 43-year-old Kean pleaded guilty to being almost twice the legal driving limit. He was stopped by police in May hours after Blackburn's draw against United secured the title for Ferguson's side.

Kean admitted drinking more than two glasses of red wine with Ferguson during celebrations in his office after the match.

"When I first went in I poured Sir Alex a glass of red wine and I poured one for myself," Ken told Macclesfield Magistrates' Court. "I wished them all the best and congratulated them on winning the title."

Kean said Ferguson later poured him a second glass of red wine and he had a further half glass.

"I was well aware that I was driving so I had two-and-a-half glasses over the course of an hour," Kean said.

After leaving Ewood Park, Kean stopped at a pub where he said he had a bottle of beer during a 45-minute stay. The drink was poured into a glass, but left unattended as Kean signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Kean's legal team said one of the drinks must have been spiked - a claim district judge Nicholas Sanders rejected.

"I was happy but not intoxicated, not at all," Kean said. "I have done that journey lots of times and wouldn't attempt to do it (drunk)."

Kean was pulled over by police on a motorway later in the evening as he headed to southern England to see his family.