Young official knocked out at Ramsgate football match

A YOUNG football official was laid out with a knock-out punch at a showcase football match in Ramsgate on Sunday.

Officiating at one of his first games, it is believed Will Sanderson was asking spectators not to smoke or shout abuse at players during the clash between Albion Athletic and Birchington United Services Club.

Witnesses say during an argument with a spectator the 16-year-old was punched to the ground and kicked in the head. The match at St Luke's playing fields on Hereson Road had to be abandoned.

Police and an ambulance were called to the scene at 11.30 am and Mr Sanderson was taken to Thanet hospital, before being release with severe bruising to his neck.

Thanet Sunday Football League referee secretary Tim Amons said: "Will was a newly qualified referee and this was one of his first matches officiating.

"This is certainly not in the spirit of the game and we hope it will not put him off football in the future."

The match was supposed to be a showcase season opener between two teams many believe are the best on the isle.

The Andrew Samson Memorial Match is in memory of a player who died in road accident. It was kicked off by Mayor of Ramsgate Kay Dark before being abandoned by referee Colin Ansell halfway through the second half.

A Thanet Sunday Football League spokesman said: "It is disgusting behaviour which we do not condone and will investigate once it has been dealt with by the police and the Kent FA.

"It is even sadder considering players of both teams had behaved impeccably during the game and it had been a very good match.

"We back referees 100 per cent, and support the FA's Respect campaign which is to try to stamp out this sort of dreadful behaviour towards referees and their assistants."

Kent County Football Association say it has not received the referee's report, but will investigate the matter further when they do.

Police have confirmed that a 25-year-old man from Broadstairs was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actually bodily harm on yesterday morning. He turned himself in at Margate police station yesterday.