James Robertson, 37, admitted breaking the back of a plastic seat and hurling it towards rival Canaries supporters, narrowly missing an eight-year-old.

He later handed himself into police after CCTV images of the incident were released as part of a public appeal to identify him.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told footage had captured goading between fans segregated by stewards and police before an Ipswich fan seated in block G in the South Stand broke a chair and threw it at home fans sitting in block H.

Ipswich Town score from the penalty spot in the 2-0 win at Carrow Road (Image: PA)

James Robertson handed himself in after police released this CCTV still (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Emma Pocknell, prosecuting, said: “It was a deliberate act and thrown with some force.

"Luckily a home fan managed to block it from hitting a young boy.”

The match on April 11 was fought in a fierce atmosphere with Marcelino Nunez making his first return since leaving City for rivals Ipswich in a shock £10m move.

The Blues ran out 2-0 winners, earning their first Carrow Road victory in 20 years.

Robertson, of Old Station Road in Halesworth, pleaded guilty to throwing a missile at a spectators area and criminal damage.

The court was told he had been intoxicated at the time but after handing himself in he told police he had acted like “an idiot” and “couldn’t believe what he had done”.

Kirsty Chaplin, mitigating, said: “As he stood up he knocked part of the seat away and he threw it without thinking.

"It was not thrown as part of any disorder but he admits that it was a dangerous thing to do.”

Ipswich Town fans during the match at Carrow Road (Image: PA)

There were 13 arrests during the derby match but James Robertson was interviewed by police three weeks later (Image: Newsquest)

She said supporting Ipswich was a life-long hobby and he had previously attended hundreds of matches without incident.

“He has never been in trouble before and is very remorseful,” she added.

Magistrates fined him £553, ordered he pay a further £419 in costs and compensation and approved a police application for a football banning order preventing him attending any matches for three years.