By Chris Wright
The Dorchester Town player that was dismissed by the referee for tackling a mankini-clad streaker to ground last Monday has seen his red card overturned by the FA.
Ashley Vickers (who also serves as Dorchester’s manager) brought the scantily clad herbert down with a rugby tackle during his side’s non-league game with local rivals Havant and Waterlooville last week, only to be sent off by the official in charge – though the 39-year old immediately appealed to the FA over the decision, contesting that he was merely ‘doing the stewards a favour’.
Vickers told the Dorset Echo:
“I was dumbfounded at the time but it’s great to see the red card rescinded. I’m very grateful to the club and the FA.”
The Havant and Waterlooville supporter that took to the pitch in the green mankini, one Alan Young, was also quick to lavish praise on Vickers and his scrum-half potential:
“The security there were too slow but Vickers caught me quite well. He should be a rugby player.
“It was only a bit of a joke. We all agreed at my local pub on Sunday I’d do it as a bet.”
A bet that has now landed Young with an FA charge of his very own – for ‘supporter misconduct’ no less.