I considered quiting Town (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

I considered quiting Town

4:18pm Thursday 28th September 2006 in Football By Nick Mashiter

FOOTBALL: DEVIZES Town manager Paul Thompson said he was so appalled by the behaviour of one of his players he considered quitting.

Midfielder Adam Little, 18, was sent off for headbutting in Devizes' FA Vase defeat to Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday and was taken to Salisbury police station under suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

Thompson, who started his first managerial role at Nursteed Road in the summer, said: "I have not taken up this job to deal with this type of stuff.

"It made me consider whether I wanted to be involved with a club whose players do this type of thing.

"I think it is because we haven't cracked the whip enough and told them what to do.

"It is now my responsibility to make sure this does not happen again."

Little was given a caution after breaking the nose of Bemerton Heath forward Joe Sanger following the head-butt midway through the second half.

A fight then broke out in the tunnel between the players after Little was sent off and Sanger substituted because of his injury.

Thompson now feels he has a duty to make sure the ugly scenes from Saturday do not happen again.

He said: "People make mistakes but if it happens again to anyone at the football club they will be kicked out. I can read the riot act to them and they will have to adhere."

Thompson came in for praise from Bemerton Heath for the way he conducted himself in trying to calm the situation.

Clive Leonard, acting secretary of the Wessex League outfit, said: "Devizes conducted themselves very well in light of the incident especially their manager, Paul Thompson, but it spoilt the day.

"The player (Little) stayed by the dug out which caused a bit of attention with supporters, then both players went into the tunnel at the same time, as a result a scuffle broke out.

"Our stewards were there and if they weren't it could have been worse."

Both clubs are currently awaiting a decision from the Wiltshire FA and will have 14 days to either accept or deny any charges put to them.

Little has been banned by the club from all duties for a week, has been removed from first team activities until the suspension is set, will pay any fine the club incurs from the FA himself and is likely to receive a six week suspension.

His arrest has overshadowed Devizes' good start to the season with the team in sixth place in the Toolstation Premier.

Thompson has turned the club, who host Chard Town on Saturday, around since joining in the summer Chairman Phil Rossiter said: "Paul has conducted himself very professionally with the team and throughout the whole incident. We do not want him to leave."