Ribblesdale League: Fuming Manville blasts his team after punch-up (23 June 1999)

23 June 1999

Ribblesdale League: Fuming Manville blasts his team after punch-up

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Justin Manville has played his last game for Jennings Ribblesdale League outfit Barnoldswick after punching team-mate Michael Lord in an amazing off-field bust up.

The 22-year-old male model, who used to date Hollyoaks star and former girlfriend of Ryan Giggs, Davinia Murphy, has quit the club following the incident during Barnoldswick's game at Edenfield on Saturday.

And, in an astonishing outburst, he labelled the Ribblesdale League as 'Mickey Mouse' and slated the Barnoldswick team.

The problems started when Manville reacted to a comment and threw his bat at a team-mate as he made his way back to the pavillion following his dismissal for 29.

He then went into the changing rooms where he believed some money had been taken from his trouser pocket to pay for teas.

Manville then went outside to confront the team-mate he thought was responsible.

"As soon as my girlfriend arrived I was out almost immediately, although the two weren't related," said Manville.

"But one of the guys started taking the mickey as I walked back and I flung the bat in his general direction before I went inside.

"I then checked my pockets and found that someone had taken some money off me to pay for the teas.

"I was going to let the whole thing go but when I found out my pockets were empty I confronted the player I thought was responsible. "It got heated, I pushed him, he pushed me back and then I struck him, although it wasn't particularly hard.

"I know I was the instigator but I was provoked.

"I don't like people just going in my pockets while I'm batting.

"I'd prefer to cut all ties with the club because it's got past being fun playing for them.

"There's too much pressure on me and the professional because we've got a terrible team.

"I'd prefer to play for a winning team, preferably in the Lancashire League, like Colne or Nelson.

"It's a Mickey Mouse league that Barnoldswick are in at the moment anyway.

"And the team don't help with their attitude.

"They don't know how to win."

First team skipper Mike Scothern was batting out in the middle when the incident flared up.

But he says he wouldn't pick the opening batsman again.

"All I saw was the pushing and shoving," said Scothern.

"It then all seemed to get broken up but, as Lordy walked away, Justin turned around and lamped him.

"Justin has never grown up.

"And he won't take responsibility for his own actions.

"I wouldn't pick him again anyway because I think I'd have a mutiny on my hands.

"His behaviour has become intolerable and the lads just don't want him on the team."

Manville had arrived at the game an hour and a half late after failing to fix up a lift with team-mates on the morning of the match. He did take his place in the field for the remainder of the Edenfield innings but was then dropped down the batting order as punishment for being late. "I'm banned from driving until January so I struggle to get to away games," said Manville.

"I called one team-mate to arrange a lift but he said he was going with someone else.

"And then I made a few other calls but couldn't sort anything out.

"Nine people drove past the house without picking me up for some reason, so I had to get a taxi there which cost me £20.

"I usually open the batting but because I was late they dropped me down to number four."

Scothern, however, says he wasn't aware of Manville's predicament and a lift would have been provided if he'd gone to more effort.

"At about 1.45pm I rang him to find out where he was and he said he was still waiting for a lift," said the Barnoldswick skipper.

"I told him to get in a taxi and get to the ground as soon as possible.

"I then had a discussion with him at the tea interval which was reasonably amicable. "He said he'd made three phone calls trying to sort out a lift and he wasn't going to waste any more of his time.

"But that sums up his attitude generally.

"He often arrives at the ground without any kit and has to borrow things like helmets, pads and bats off the rest of the lads, although they've been quite happy to do that in the past.

"He is a very talented player but he's a law unto himself."

Barnoldswick arranged a meeting on Monday night to discuss Manville's future.

But the player pre-empted proceedings by submitting a letter of resignation which was accepted by the panel. He's had something of a chequered career with us," said secretary Phil Brown. "But as far as we are concerned Justin is now a free agent and that's the end of the matter."

Source :: The Lancashire Evening Telegraph