Sheridan sacked by County for rant at ref

NEW Notts County owner Alan Hardy has revealed that manager John Sheridan was sacked for gross misconduct following an expletive-laden rant at match officials.

An FA document was made public for the first time last week detailing the foul and abusive comments made by Sheridan towards referee Eddie Ilderton and fourth official Matthew Donohue during a 2-0 defeat to Wycombe on December 10.

The report revealed details of Sheridan’s foul-mouthed tirade. He shouted to Ilderton “My kids aren’t going to get any f ****** Christmas presents because of f ****** you” and told Donohue “I’m going to knock you out, you c***.”

The tirade of abuse led to Sheridan, now back as manager of Oldham, receiving a five-match ban. Following this disclosure of the content of Sheridan’s language, Hardy also revealed it was that, rather than County’s club-record run of nine league defeats in a row, which led to his exit.

“I wish to make it clear that this sort of behaviour by any employee of this club will not be tolerated,” said Hardy. “It was our decision to terminate the contract based on what I read in the referee’s report regarding the incident. This is a familyfriendly club which aims to be a pillar of the local community.

“Comments of the type made by Mr Sheridan were utterly appalling and wholly unacceptable, undermining the community spirit and focus we are striving to develop here.

“In light of the recent disclosure of the referee’s report, I thought it appropriate to communicate the exact reasons behind the course of action we took.”

Sheridan admitted the charge on December 15 and the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission reported the 52-year-old former Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder later “submitted a letter apologising unreservedly.”

Sheridan has since been replaced as manager at Notts County by former Leyton Orient boss Kevin Nolan.