Brickley faces 28-day touchline ban (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Brickley faces 28-day touchline ban

JERAD O'Pray has committed himself to Westbury United but the news has been tempered by a 28-day footballing ban for manager Paul Brickley.

Brickley was delighted with O'Pray's decision to turn down approaches from Corsham Town and Devizes Town but the manager was also left frustrated by his suspension.

Brickley was sent off, along with Wayne Wheeler, in the 1-0 home defeat to Street in January for gross misconduct.

He appealed both red cards but at a hearing on Monday night he was given a 28-day footballing ban, although Wheeler was cleared.

It means he will be unable to go in the changing rooms or in the dug-outs during the suspension and he admits it is going to be very awkward.

He said: "I am disappointed because I did not do what they said I did. But it has been given and I have to get on with it. It is very annoying but I have spoken with my chairman George Dowd and we have decided I will relay messages to the players through him and my assistant Matty Bown.

"We will hold our team talks out of the changing rooms before the game and we will get round it. It is an inconvenience but we will survive."

Meanwhile, Brickley has been boosted by O'Pray's decision to stay at Meadow Lane for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old midfielder has just returned from a three-month absence due to a back injury and became the target for two higher league clubs, Corsham and Devizes.

But O'Pray, who has been at Meadow Lane for the past two and a half seasons, has decided it is not the right time for a move of any sort.

He said: "I spoke to Devizes earlier this week and told them I was not interested in moving at this stage of the season. I have not spoken to Corsham yet but I can't see myself leaving Westbury.

"It is a strange time in a season to leave a club because there are only about six weeks left and I just want to play football.

"The last few months have been so frustrating and I am looking forward to getting back to first team football with Westbury United.

"I will stay here for the rest of the season and then review my options in the summer."

Brickley was delighted with O'Pray's decision as he side prepare for tomorrow's trip to Shepton Mallet.

He said: "At this stage of the season we could not afford to lose a player of Jerad's quality and it is great news that he is staying.