REDS BOSS MATT FACES DRUGS RAP

ON-LEAVE Redditch United manager Matt Clarke has been charged with allegations related to the supply of drugs.

West Mercia Police confirmed Clarke, 50, was charged on February 14 with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

Co-defendants Harnaik Malhi, 43, and Keller Preece, 26, were charged with the same four offences. Preece faces a fifth charge of common assault of an emergency worker.

On the day they were charged, Hereford Magistrates Court escalated the case to Worcester Crown Court without any of the defendants entering a plea. Clarke was released on conditional bail, while Malhi and Preece were remanded in custody.

A plea and trial preparation hearing at Worcester Crown Court was adjourned without any pleas being entered on Wednesday, March 13. It was scheduled for Friday, April 12, but was relisted for Tuesday, May 7, prior to any of the defendants appearing.

Redditch United announced on Thursday, February 29, that Clarke would be “taking an immediate break from football for personal reasons”.

The club had released no further information on the circumstances of Clarke’s absence at the time of going to press.

At the point of Clarke stepping back, the Reds sat third in Southern League Premier Division Central. Six defeats on the bounce saw United dropping out of the top five but a 1-0 win at Stratford, followed by last Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Leiston, put them back in contention, while Mickleover’s reported 12-point deduction over an ineligible player would have put them back in the play-offs ahead of yesterday’s league match at Barwell if rubber stamped.