Barnt Green Spartak boss Singh left ashamed after player spat at referee - The Bromsgrove Standard

Barnt Green Spartak boss Singh left ashamed after player spat at referee

Bromsgrove Editorial 16th May, 2018 Updated: 18th May, 2018   0

DISAPPOINTED Barnt Green Spartak boss GJ Singh felt ashamed and embarrassed after one of his players spat at a referee in a league match this week.

Sean Keeley was red carded late on in Monday night’s Midland League Division Two encounter against Feckenham after some unsavoury banter with the Millers manager.

But what followed was completely unexpected as Keeley then spat at referee William Cemis who was visibly distraught from the vile incident.

Spartak were losing 2-1 at the time and the match was subsequently abandoned.




Singh revealed he considered quitting his post as manager for the disgrace brought upon his club but vowed to stay on after a series of supportive messages from players and club officials.

“It’s very difficult to put into words just how I felt as there was so much going through my mind,” he told the Standard.


“The player is very remorseful but it’s not good enough which is exactly what I said to him.

“What hurts more is he has probably been our player of the season but what he did is totally inexcusable.

“Deep down he is a good lad and that’s what has disappointed me most but I cannot defend him one bit.

“I am not going to hang him out to dry because he knows what he has done is wrong and will have to face the consequences of that.

“I will take 100 per cent responsibility as it’s my club.

“Everyone knows I am the kind of manager who gives players a second chance but for the first time ever I have had to turn my back on someone.”

Singh also believes the unsavoury incident is going to overshadow what he labelled as a successful season.

Spartak almost folded in the summer and looked like they were going to be involved in a relegation scrap after hovering around the bottom two at Christmas.

But the Lions have pulled through their difficult patch and have finished just two points from a place in the top-six as well as reaching the final of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup.

“People should be talking about those successes but everyone is going to be focused on what happened on Monday night,” said Singh.

“We have proven that we could finish in the top-six and if you look at our defeats this season they have all been close.

“We have always been competitive and have given those at the top some really good games.

“I am proud of the progress we have made but I fear that one unsavoury incident will detract from those positives.”

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