PETERSFIELD Town coach Mark Summerhill has vowed to fight a case which could see him facing a lengthy ban from the touchline.
He is currently suspended while Hampshire FA?investigate an incident which took place during last Tuesday night’s game against AFC?Portchester at Love Lane.
Midway through the second half a linesman and Summerhill appeared to collide with each other in front of the Petersfield bench.
Witnesses, including those from Portchester, believed the coming together was accidental.
However, the match referee’s report says that Summerhill was sent from the touchline after his arm obstructed the linesman and the immediate suspension is due to the serious nature of the offence.
The Rams’ coach was about to start serving a three-match ban after being sent from the technical area during Petersfield’s league win at Cowes Sports last month.
Chairman Graeme Moir said the club will be doing all it can to help Mark be cleared of the charge he is facing.
He added: “We all feel for Mark at the moment. The incident in the Portchester game looked to be nothing more than an accidental coming together to me. We will be fighting vigorously to clear Mark’s name so he is able to take his place on the touchline once again.
“We need him there to guide the team on matchdays – I?hope this matter is resolved as quickly as possible.”