Town player given driving ban (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Town player given driving ban

1:29pm Thursday 15th February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Swindon Town defender Andy Nicholas has been banned from driving for 20 months for drink-driving.

The 23-year-old was arrested after an accident last week and was given the ban at Swindon Magistrates' Court today.

After the hearing Nicholas said: "I'm deeply ashamed and embarrassed by my actions. The courts have banned and fined me accordingly.

"It was an inexcusable and naïve moment of madness which has hurt many people.

"It is totally out of character and upbringing. I would like to apologise to all those people I have let down, that's the fans, the manager, my teammates and, most importantly, my family, who are devastated.

"I'm only glad that no one was injured by my impaired judgement. I am going to take my deserved punishment and continue to concentrate on winning promotion for the club."

STFC director Mike Bowden said: "Clearly disciplinary action will be considered. It is only right to say that this will be kept confidential and will be between the manager Paul Sturrock and Andy Nicholas."