MANAGER Scott Rickards and secretary Dave Turner have quit Atherstone Town in the wake of the club acknowledging accusations of racism made against its fans.

Rickards and assistant Mike Fowler walked out despite the Adders being two rounds from Wembley after opponents Stafford Town claimed their goalkeeper had been the target of racist abuse yesterday (Saturday).

It follows City making two complaints to fourth official Alan Cox of racial comments directed towards staff during an FA Vase fifth round tie on Saturday, February 8.

READ MORE | Racism and lit cigarette allegedly thrown at City staff by Atherstone fans

READ MORE | City filed two allegations of racist comments to fourth official at Atherstone match

Town posted on Twitter that the game to be stopped “due to our keeper Samuel Amedu receiving racial abuse from away fans”.

Worcester News:

There was a response from Adders TV, the account that posts Atherstone’s match highlights, supporting the claims.

The post read: “Having found out what the allegation was I can confirm there was racial abuse.

“If it is not dealt in the correct and proper way, I will never set foot in Atherstone Town FC again.”

Worcester News:

 

Atherstone responded swiftly with a statement from chairman Brian Henney via the club's official Facebook feed.

It read: "During today’s game at Stafford Town, racist comments were observed and heard by members of our own team and supporters.

"Following the game I, the chairman of the club, along with the management and secretary undertook an immediate investigation with regard to the contents of that abuse and the persons responsible.

"ATCFC has a zero-tolerance policy on racism and as a result of that investigation I can confirm we have identified the responsible group of ATCFC fans who will now face lifetime bans as a result of our findings.

"ATCFC wishes to publicly apologise to Stafford Town FC, their players, management and supporters for this totally unacceptable behaviour.

"Furthermore I personally wish to apologise to our own ATCFC players, management, sponsors and core supporters for today’s mindless few and assure everyone this is not what our club represents.

"We will take whatever action is necessary to eradicate this cancer within our club once and for all. we will not allow a few mindless individuals to bring down this club."

But it was too late to fix the damage in the short term with Henney confirming the departure of Rickards.

"It is with great sadness following today’s unacceptable behaviour, I have been handed the resignation of our first-team management," read a reply from Henney whose post included quotes attributed to Rickards.

They read: "I would like to place on record that I have stepped down as first-team manager of Atherstone Town Community Football Club with immediate effect. 

"I would like to thank Brian Henney and Dave Turner for the support they have offered me during my short spell with the club. 

"I want to thank each and every player who I have worked with for their honesty and hard work to keep a dream of Wembley alive in our FA Vase run and also a MFL promotion campaign. 

"And last but not least I want to thank Mike Fowler for sharing this opportunity with me, we entered as a team and will be leaving as a team and for that I’m extremely proud.

"I hope the good people within the club get to see this team succeed."

Turner then issued a post on the club's Facebook page, following Rickards and Fowler through the exit. 

"It is with great sadness that after today’s events at Stafford Town I have no alternative but to resign from my position as secretary of ATCFC.

"There is no place for what happened today in any sporting arena.

"My time at the club has allowed me to make many friends of all ages and have many fantastic memories. 

"However, I wouldn’t be true to myself if I carry on after what has happened this afternoon.

"Many thanks to all who have helped me in my time at the club, there are too many to mention.

"I wish the club every success going forward and will always be a supporter of the mighty Adders.

"Gutted is an understatement. Dave."

Seven days previously, Worcester News witnessed a group of supporters behind the away dugout at Sheepy Road throwing five objects towards manager Ashley Vincent and his staff.

They included plastic cups and cans, despite FA Vase rules prohibiting cans of alcohol pitchside.

That came after a distress flare had been thrown over City's dugout on to the pitch when Atherstone scored with a man dressed in only his boxer shorts encroaching onto the playing surface.

Vincent also alleged a lit cigarette butt had been thrown at his assistant Marlon Walters who that night posted on Twitter that he had been racially abused.

Vincent later confirmed two complaints had been made. Those present have since been asked to provide witness statements following a report filed by referee Aaron Bannister.