| Posted at 10:00 PM on October 20, 2009 |
Ashford Victoria forward Darren Banks has been given a two-game internal club suspension following comments made after Sunday's 2-1 Kent Junior Trophy victory over Burton Grove. Banks posted a comment on a social networking site sarcastically questioning Vics manager Ryan Mills' team selection, and the club has acted quickly in accordance with the Football Association's Respect campaign guidelines.
The former Prince Albert striker, who has scored three goals in six appearances this season, was dropped to the bench for last weekend's fixture to make way for the fit again Jack Bundock, a selection change that Banks clearly didn't agree with. Bundock had been unavailable for the previous three league and cup fixtures due to an ankle injury and work commitments, and Victoria boss Mills was clearly not impressed with Banks' reaction.
"There is a right way and a wrong way to discuss my team selections and tactical decisions, and Darren has gone down the wrong road this time" said Mills on his player.
"I always invite players to call me or come and talk to me about their football or team selections, if a player found themselves out of the team for any reason for a lengthy spell or period I'd be annoyed if they didn't as it shows that they are wanting to improve. I have already had a few chats with two or three of the boys this season about my plans for them this campaign".
"But publicly posting silly comments on my Facebook for all to see was the wrong decision and shows a lack of respect for both myself, the players and his team mates. This comment was available for everyone to see, and I have purposefully not deleted it so others who haven't read it yet can read for themselves" added Mills.
Banks, who signed from relegated Division Four side Givaudan in the summer, questioned whether that if he didn't turn up for a few games, maybe he would get a start after Bundock and Matt Deeble were restored to the starting line up after missing last weeks 3-2 league win at Brabourne.
"I wasn't aware that there was a rule that players returning from injury or work commitments the previous week had to start on the bench when they came back. I decide who plays and who doesn't and it's my job to pick the right team of players to win the game in question, and as we won the tie on Sunday my selection proved correct" said Mills.
"Writing a public comment on Facebook is the Premier League equivalent of say Michael Owen running to the Sunday Mirror newspaper and saying that Alex Ferguson only picks his favourites. It's like Michael Owen played the previous game up front, but now Berbatov and Rooney have come back and Owen was dropped to the bench, Owen wouldn't go and slag his manager off would he?".
"I don't have to defend my team selections on here, but I decided that Jack (Bundock) needed some minutes under his belt and the Burton Grove game was the perfect time to give him a game. Banksy hadn't scored in his three previous appearances, and I decided to make a change and it should have been left at that".
Banks will now miss the big league fixture with William Harvey on Sunday, and the Sheber Trophy game at Ashford Cavaliers the following week after his outburst, and Mills has left the ball in Banks' court.
"I probably know how this will end up, but Darren's got two choices really. He can apologise to me and his team mates and come back and fight for place in the team, or call it a day and move on, I'll let him decide and I'll respect either decision" said Mills,
"Several of the boys have phoned or text me this week after reading the comments and voiced their concerns of his commitment to the team, and I'd like to get this cleared up and brushed aside as soon as possible so we can concentrate on our football, and more importantly Sunday's big game at William Harvey".
Mills has already moved quickly to fill the gap left by Banks for at least the next two fixtures by drafting in former player, and younger brother ,Michael Mills, and hopes to give the former Charlton Athletic youngster another crack at Sunday League football. Mills junior was a regular for the Vics back in the 2006-07 season before moving on to play local Saturday League football and representing the Charlton Athletic Community side in the Kent County League, and did make his comeback in last weeks 3-2 win over Brabourne as a second-half substitute.
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