National League North match Gloucester v Spennymoor sees four red cards after a mass brawl with one player bitten by his opponent.
The North East outfit’s players and coaching staff revealed that they were left furious after the incident overshadowed their weekend defeat Gloucester City.
Moors fell to a 2-0 defeat in an extremely bad-tempered game, however it was the bizarre scenes of a footballer biting another that got everyone talking.
Tommy Miller, who has since departed Spennymoor, saw his side end the game with just nine players on the pitch after two men received their marching orders, with Miller also receiving a red card himself as tempers became frayed.
It came after Moors claimed that former Wycombe and Aldershot player turned Matt McClure bit midfielder Brad Abbott, who was red carded for his role in the altercation.
As the Spennymoor squad were left riled by what had occurred, Carl Magnay was also sent off for his reaction in the aftermath of the alleged bite.
Assistant manager Stuart Parnaby was clearly aggrieved about Moors being on the wrong end of an incident which is likely to have serious repercussions.
Abbott and Magnay are facing three-match bans, while Miller is also expected to be hit with a touchline suspension.
Spennymoor are set to make a formal complaint, with McClure likely hit with an extremely lengthy ban in the FA conclude he was guilty of biting an opponent.
“Carl’s apologised for reacting,” said Parnaby, who stepped in to conduct post-match press duties after Miller’s dismissal. “But if it’s your mate getting bitten, how do you not react?
“I haven’t seen an incident like that before, it’s one of the worst things I’ve seen. There’s a full teeth mark on Brad’s shoulder that’s close to blood.
“I don’t get how you can do that as a man, it’s as bad as it gets for me.
“There was reaction all round on the bench and on the pitch. I don’t know what Tommy has said to the ref to get the card.
“Brad has done nothing wrong – he got bit and was sent off. It doesn’t make any sense.”
The incident overshadowed the rest of the game, with Moors still without a league win since early October – a run of eight matches – and have dropped to 13th in the table.
I can accept many things in football when frustrations run high but yesterday being subject to someone biting me was bizarre and disgraceful! Then to get a red card when I walked away from the situation was just icing on the cake. Funny old game sometimes. https://t.co/RVmh051D39
— Brad Abbott (@Bradders_Abbott) December 5, 2021
Gloucester broke the deadlock just before the break when Oliver Hulbert beat Dale Eve with a header, then McClure got a second from close range.
“All round, we were nowhere near where we need to be,” added an honest Parnaby. “Two mistakes defensively cost us goals – it’s not easy going away from home and conceding goals like that.
“When you look at the all-round game, did we create many chances? Just a couple.
“Did we penetrate much? Not really. Gloucester had a few chances, ultimately they deserved to win.”the club
Since then, Tommy Miller has left his role as Manager of Spennymoor Town after seven months.
Miller, 42, has been at the club as Assistant Manager since 2016, before taking the Management reins from Jason Ainsley in April 2021.
Assistant Manager Stuart Parnaby has also left his position at the club.
The Club and Tommy have agreed that a change of approach is needed to ensure the season’s objectives do not become unattainable.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Tommy for his years of dedication and hard work for the club.
“He has been a tireless servant, demanding the very best of himself and his players at all times.
“It’s clear to everyone that the current form of the team falls short of the performance levels required to meet our strategic goals.
“This position is unfamiliar for Spennymoor Town, as we’ve enjoyed constant progress for the last decade. Despite our form, we are still in touch with the play-offs positions, so I think it’s important to remember this and keep the current situation in perspective.
“For these reasons, we have all been adult enough to recognise that now is the time that a change is required and have acted on this.
“We wish Tommy and Stuart all the very best for the future.”
Then on the 19th of December, Carl Magnay left Spennymoor Town FC by mutual consent.
The versatile defender played in various positions across the back line for the club since joining in the summer of 2019.
Head of Football Jason Ainsley said: “I’d like to thank Carl for his two-and-a-half years with us and I look forward to seeing what he does next.
“There has obviously been a lot of upheaval at the club over the last week and we are all working extremely hard to ensure that we turn around the first team’s form.
“We want this period of change to feel fresh and this means changes in the playing staff, too.
“Carl was ever the professional about the situation and everyone at the club wish him the best of luck with his next step.”
Fans react as the National League North match sees four red cards after a mass brawl with with one player bitten….
@NigeSmith21: A dismal day for non-league!
@Tony_Tremayne: He should be banned for life. I hope the authorities have the bollocks to do it.
@DJNelsonPhotos: Has to be a lengthy ban coming his way. 4 months wasn’t it for Suarez?
@DarranPearce: Disgraceful and embarrassing this as a Gloucester fan
@DezyByers33: Good to see all the lads sticking together #Moors. No place for that in the street let along on a football pitch
@chrispeaky: Can’t believe what I’m reading TBH. Scandalous!!!
@ProperFoot: We scouted this match. Unfortunately in this case, bravado by Brad’s team mates may place @SpennymoorTown in very hot water. Reactions by @s_thompson_89 & others went way beyond reasonable & may attract severe sanction. Lots more to this story with biting charge least of it.
@garybrown06: If u are a player part of that team you are 10000000% reacting for your team mate. For me result goes out the window when that happens, disgusting biting . Easy for fans looking in to say keep ya discipline. Parnaby is right here imo.
@dh6087347: Bizarre view from Parnaby.
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