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Wisbech player banned for assaulting a referee
A WISBECH Town player has been banned for eight months after assaulting a referee and making racist remarks to opponents.
A WISBECH Town player has been banned for eight months after assaulting a referee and making racist remarks to opponents.Fenmen frontman Tom Gosling has apologised for the actions which mean he won't kick a ball again until October.
The Cambs FA have dished out stern punishment to Gosling with the majority of his 224-day suspension being made up of a 182-day ban and 150 fine for common assault on a referee.
Gosling, who joined Wisbech early in the season, was guilty of pushing official Steve Artis during Wisbech's Boxing Day victory over Swaffham at Fenland Park in the Ridgeons League Premier Division.
Artis, who runs the line at Premier League level, was unhurt in the incident.
The remaining 42 days and additional 50 fine are for using racial remarks to two opponents during the Fenmen's clash at Felixstowe & Walton in November.
Wisbech boss Roy McManus said: "A lot of people told me that other managers had failed to handle Tom, but that did not concern me.
"He is a handful and that is exactly what I was looking for when I signed him. He had done very well for the club but there is no point in trying to defend the undefensible.
"The referee said he was threatened by Tom's actions on Boxing Day and felt it could have escalated if a team-mate had not pulled him away.
"Tom is a lovely lad – a grafter on and off the pitch. But he has a hot temper which flares up occasionally and he let himself and the club down.
"He is paying the price with missing so long and has to undo the damage by returning to the game with better discipline.
"Whether he comes back to Wisbech is something for us to decide in the future because none of us know what might be happening in seven or eight months time.
"But I have to say I feel a fair amount of sympathy for him on the other charge. The referee included the racist remarks on the basis of heresay.
"Tom is supposed to have made them during the first half but I stayed at Felixstowe's ground until an hour-and-a-half after the final whistle and nothing was mentioned."
Gosling has issued an apology to all connected with the Fenmen.
He said: "I know I have let the club down big time and want to say sorry to Roy, the board, my team-mates and the fans at Wisbech.
"I am definitely going to bounce back stronger and fitter and with a better attitude. I have certainly learned my lesson.
"I am not going to be looking for another club as I have really enjoyed it at Wisbech and love the place. I hope to be back next season."
Cambs FA chief executive Roger Pawley insists the lengthy ban is not an attempt to drive Gosling, who has a chequered disciplinary past, away from game.
Pawley said: "The player has a very poor record and we have to take a zero tolerance stance on behaviour like this.
"Neither of these things are acceptable in football and while we don't want to lose players, we can't let incidents go unpunished either.
"I just hope Tom learns from this and returns as a model player."
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