Accrington's Captain Banned for 8 Months

Lancashire Telegraph

Accrington Stanley assistant hits out at Cavanagh ban
onday 10th August 2009

By Chris Flanagan »


ACCRINGTON Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell has leapt to the defence of Peter Cavanagh after describing the defender’s eight-month ban and fine for betting offences as ‘degrading’.

The FA have yet to make a statement but Cavanagh informed Stanley late on Friday that he had been found guilty at a hearing earlier that day, although he looks set to appeal.

The 27-year-old, who had been with the club for eight years and was club captain, has been banned from all football-related activity for eight months.

He has also been fined £3,500, but the total sum he will have to pay will be nearer £15,000 once costs are included.

Cavanagh had been charged with placing a £5 accumulator that included betting on Stanley to lose at home to Bury in May 2008, as well as betting on a Reds match during the 2008/09 season and further League Two games. It is not yet clear whether he has been found guilty of all of the charges.

Cavanagh is understood to have paid £4,500 for a voice recognition test in an attempt to prove that his brother – not him – had placed the accumulator via telephone, which would not have broken any rules.

The full back and Stanley have been shocked by the length of the ban, with manager John Coleman saying: “I am gutted for him but I’m going to reserve comment on it until the outcome of the inevitable appeal. All I will say is that he’s got my full support.”

Assistant Bell said: “He still maintains he is innocent and for a £5 bet it is very harsh.

“In his career here he has been exemplary and it’s been his livelihood since 10 years of age, so he has been left with money that he’s unable to pay.

“He’s banned from all football so he can’t train, he can’t play abroad and he coached the kids at Liverpool, under 10s or under 12s, and he can’t even claim expenses on that now. I think it’s degrading and he’s got to go out and find work now.

“We brought him back for pre-season and the fans took to him as well. They chanted his name.

“It’s going to be hard for him if he is banned for eight months.

“He’ll have to keep himself fit.

“He is innocent in my eyes and, for me, he would be welcome back at the club.”

Cavanagh’s guilty verdict comes two weeks after former Stanley players Jay Harris, David Mannix, Robbie Williams and Andy Mangan were banned for 12, 10, eight and five months respectively for betting on Bury to beat the Reds. Cavanagh’s bet was much less than those placed by the other four but only he and Harris played in the game.

Cavanagh did not figure in Saturday’s opening match of the season, although he may still have been eligible because Stanley have not been informed in writing by the FA.

He was out of contract this summer and the club, who will hold a board meeting this morning before making official comment, were waiting for the outcome before deciding over a new deal.