Farsley fiasco leads to investigation

All three have been fined by the club – on top of their standard three-match suspensions.

And one of them, left-back Dan Macpherson, will not play for Hucknall Town again until an investigation into his alleged conduct.

Macpherson was dismissed for violent conduct after allegedly elbowing an opponent in the face.

But the investigation is believed to focus on his behaviour after being sent off. It is understood that Town's dressing-room door at Farsley was kicked in and Farsley's secretary was threatened.

Andy Firbank, chairman of the Yorkshire club, has filed a report for the FA and he told the Dispatch this week:

"The report is all to do with one player kicking the dressing-room door off its hinges and threatening our secretary – and then the poor response of Hucknall Town officials when they were told about it.

"For one team to have three players sent off, I have never seen anything like it in all my time in the game. There is no place for it in football."

While Town wait for evidence on whether or not Macpherson was the culprit, the defender will not feature for The Yellows – even when his current three-game ban ends after the Blue Square North game with Hyde United.

Town's press officer, Simon Matters, said: "We are still waiting for a final report from the FA about what happened off the pitch.

"Macpherson is still a Hucknall player but he will not be considered for selection, even after his three-match ban."

The other players to receive red cards at Farsley, where Town lost 4-0, were Gary Sucharewycz and Gary Ricketts.

As well as their suspensions and fines, the trio have been warned by the club about their future conduct.

Ricketts made matters worse for himself by seeing red again eight days later in the 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Newcastle Blue Star.

The striker, who is known to be one of The Yellows' best-paid players, was handed another fine by the club for that dismissal and he is now awaiting news of a second suspension.

Town operate a strict discipline policy for any red cards but boss Mick Galloway feels Ricketts's second red card was unfair.

Galloway said: "His first yellow was for a tackle where he went for the ball. He didn't go in high on the lad, who didn't even go down for a free-kick.His momentum made it look worse than it was."

For his second yellow, Ricketts was adjudged to have led with his forearm when challenging for an aerial ball.

But Galloway claimed his striker was being challenged like that throughout the game.

"It is frustrating," said Galloway, "Because we need him out on the pitch, not suspended."

Ricketts, Sucharewycz and Macpherson are all unavailable for the crunch six-pointer with relegation rivals Hyde.

Town have suffered another blow with the news that midfielder Gareth Holmes has rejected a deal to stay at Watnall Road after his loan spell from Ilkeston Town ended.