Footballer hangs up his boots after six red cards in one match

AN AMATEUR footballer who received six red cards in the same match has admitted his playing career is over.

Paul Cooper, 39, was given a two-year ban after losing his temper with a referee.

The striker was shown a second yellow card, for dissent, and sent off while playing for Hawick United against Pencaitland in a Border Amateur League match in November.

Mr Cooper then received a five more red cards in the subsequent verbal exchanges with referee Andy Lyon as he left the pitch.

Now he faces the prospect of hanging up his boots.

Mr Cooper – whose nickname is "Santa" – said: "I know it was my fault that I got into trouble.

"I completely overreacted after I had been sent off and I know I said things to the referee I should not have. But I felt so frustrated as I wasn't to blame for the incident that led to me being sent off.

"After the game I went to see the referee in his dressing room and I apologised to him for losing it and he accepted.

"I was given the chance to go to Hampden Park in Glasgow (for a Scottish Amateur Football Association hearing] but it meant taking a day off work and I couldn't afford to do this, so I had to wait until I got a letter to see what my ban would be.

"Unfortunately I've been in bother before with bans and I expected six months. But I was absolutely stunned when I got two years."

Mr Cooper confirmed he would not be appealing and admits his 22-year playing career is over.

He said: "I will just have to accept things and find something else to do on a Saturday."

Hawick United manager George Shepherd said: "A few mad moments have basically cost Paul his footballing career."

Hugh Knapp, secretary of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, confirmed the ban, saying: "The matter was properly dealt with under our disciplinary procedures."