CHIPPENHAM Town chairman Neil Blackmore has moved to reassure supporters in the face of criticism over the club's backing of manager Nath Rudge after he was found guilty of a racial abuse charge.

Rudge was found guilty of making racist comments towards an opposition player during an FA Cup tie with Bishops Cleeve last September and was handed a four-match touchline ban from the start of the league season as well as a £300 fine after an FA hearing last week.

Blackmore, who attended the hearing with Rudge, immediately threw his support behind his manager - who maintained his innocence throughout the process - drrawing criticism from some fans that the club were not dealing with the issue of racism seriously enough.

In a statement to the club's website, Blackmore said: "I wish to make a statement to the fans and wider community, following Nathan’s FA hearing at Wembley last Wednesday at which he was found guilty of using abusive language with a reference to ethnic origin.

"I was at the hearing as an observer and heard all of the evidence from both sides.

"I went to the hearing with an open mind, even though Nathan is my manager and after hearing all of the evidence there was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Nathan was innocent,.

"It is also the belief of the club’s barrister that had this case gone to an English law court Nathan would have been found not guilty. As was John Terry, then he was also found guilty by the FA but kept on by his current employer Chelsea FC.

"For those of you who are not aware the FA only have to believe that a case is ‘probable’, to then find someone guilty.

"In his summing-up statement, our barrister put forward the probabilities that the FA panel had to consider from the evidence given and again, in my opinion and that of our barrister, it was not remotely probable that Nathan did what was said.

"So why did the FA come to the decision they did? I do not know, I can only speculate, as can you.

"On my return from Wembley I called a board meeting at which I explained in detail the facts of the case and my fellow board members also believed Nathan to be innocent.

"This is why we have backed Nathan and decided to keep him on as manager.

"It was my intention and desire to publish, full details of the hearing, so that you to could make your own mind up as to Nathan’s innocence or guilt.

"However, after requesting permission to so from the FA I have received their response and that is I cannot publish any oral or written representations from the hearing. The only thing I can publish is the FA’s verdict of which you are all aware.

"I know it is a big ask for you to accept my judgment on this matter, I appreciate I have only been in the job as chairman for five minutes and have not had the opportunity to build up any credibility in your opinion. But with the restrictions imposed by the FA this is all I can offer.

"Regarding the club's position on racism, it goes without saying that the club does not condone any form of racism, including racist abuse and as part of the FA Charter Standard which we hold we are bound by rules and regulations including those on ethnicity, which we fully adhere to.

"Those of you who have been long-time fans of the club will know that we have for many years had players from ethnic minorities in the squad, as Nathan has now in his current pre-season squad.

"You will also be aware that for many years we had a black manager (Adie Mings) who Nathan served under and I am sure Adie has the credibility and had he any notion that Nathan was a racist in any way he would have got rid of him a long time ago.

"Should any of you wish to discuss this further I am always available at home games, I would much rather you speak to me and get the truth, than listen to rumour and speculation.''

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