Former Manchester United star Paul Ince has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink driving at Chester Magistrates’ Court. The ex-midfielder was arrested last month after crashing his car into a central reservation at the Heswall Golf Club.

Ince was held by police following the incident and then charged with drink driving, which he has since pleaded guilty to. After appearing in court this morning (Friday), Ince has been disqualified from driving for a year and ordered to pay a fine worth £7,085.

Following the crash, Cheshire Police confirmed that Ince had been bailed to appear at court on July 18. A spokesperson said: “At around 5pm on Saturday 28 June, police were called following reports of a collision on Chester High Road, Neston. The incident involved a black Range Rover which had collided with the central reservation barrier.

“Officers attended the scene and arrested a 57-year-old man. Paul Ince, of Neston, has since been charged with drink driving. Ince has been bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday 18 July.”

Ince enjoyed an impressive career as a player, making history when he became the first black man to captain England. He made a total of 53 appearances for the Three Lions, which included appearances at Euro 1996, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

The playmaker came through the ranks at West Ham before making a big-money move to United. He thrived under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup twice and the 1992 League Cup.

After a six-year spell at Old Trafford, Ince headed abroad and joined Inter Milan. He spent two years with the Italian giants before returning to England and putting pen to paper on a bumper contract with Liverpool.

Ince scored 14 goals in two years for the Reds before playing out the latter stages of his career with Wolves, Middlesbrough and those lower down the EFL pyramid, such as Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town.

Following his retirement, Ince dipped his toes into the world of management. He spent time with Macclesfield, Blackburn and Blackpool but has been without a club since 2023 after he left his role with Reading.