A FOOTBALLER has been handed a five-year ban after shoving a referee during a game.

Danny Hicks was landed with the hefty suspension from the Herefordshire Football Association after being landed with a charge for assault.

The incident happened near the end of Woofferton's HFA Division 1 match against Ewyas Harold Reserves on January 10, which finished 1-1.

It is believed Hicks was about to be shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Buchanan when he pushed him to the ground.

HFA Chief executive Jim Lambert said Hicks then grabbed Buchanan and shoved him a second time after the referee was speaking to Woofferton's captain.

Hicks is now banned from all football that is affiliated by the FA from January 12, 2015 until January 10, 2020 – a total of 1,825 days.

"Once you place you hands on a referee it is dealt with very seriously," said HFA chief executive Jim Lambert.

"It proves the robustness of the HFA system and the process we have in place.

"Ninety nine times out of 100, there is never a problem in matches.

"Referees may make a few decisions that teams don't agree with, but they just get on with it.

"When somebody decides to grab a referee, you have got to deal with it.

"We have to support referees."

Lambert added that Buchanan has moved on from the incident and has refereed since.

Woofferton secretary Dave Thomas said Hicks pleaded guilty and no appeal will be made, while Hicks did not want to comment on the suspension when contacted by the Advertiser.

Thomas admitted discipline is currently a problem at the club after another player was sent off last Saturday.

New signing Rob Smith received his marching orders for two bookings in the game against Ledbury Town Reserves that Woofferton lost 3-2.

"It is a discipline thing as it's another sending off which follows two we had last week," said Thomas.

Dean Harding opened the scoring for Woofferton before Ledbury equalised.

Dan Gower restored the Blues' advantage but were pegged back when Ledbury scored a penalty following Smith's dismissal.

Ledbury then went on to win the game.