A KENT referee abandoned a junior football match at half-time after becoming fed up with the abuse he was receiving from the players.

Park Royals were leading Walmer Rovers 2-0 in the Deal & District Sunday League when referee Dave Chmura called a halt to the action.

He said: "I had had enough of the persistent haranguing I was subjected to during the first 45 minutes.

"Players from both sides thought I was there for no other reason than for them to vent their frustrations on my refereeing and, worse still, on my integrity.

Mr Chmura said: "I did receive apologies from officials of both clubs afterwards but by then the damage was done, and I believe that some of the current players from these clubs have tarnished the good name and sporting reputation that normally goes hand in hand with these two teams."

Walmer Rovers declined to comment but said they would be writing to the league about Sunday’s events, while Park Royals were unavailable for comment.

Full story in this week's East Kent Mercury