Shaun Beckwith, 21, and Maxwell McStravick, 40, both admitted using threatening behaviour after the pair came to blows outside the Tap and Spile pub, Darlington, on March 8.
Magistrates hear that the fight started when Beckwith, of Northgate Lane, told McStravick, of Hundens Lane, both Darlington, that he looked like the footballing bad boy while the pair were in the pub.
They were each sentenced to a 12 month community order with 80 hours unpaid work plus £45 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.