A SECOND soccer referee has withdrawn his services from the Sheppey Sunday League because of what he says is unacceptable verbal abuse.

Shortly after the resignation of Scott Waters, it has been revealed that David Bell is quitting following an incident in last weekend’s game between Newington Village and Towns Club A in Division 2.

Unlike Mr Waters, who is considering a return, Mr Bell has turned his back on the game for good.

The re from Minstr said: “I had taken my seven-year-old son to the game which had not been particularly difficult although there was the usual rhetoric flying about.

“At half time he wanted to go to the car because it was cold. Towns Club A had congregated on the sideline and as I took his hand a very derogatory and obscene comment was made, which insulted my ethical integrity regarding my relationship with my son.

“I continued with the match, but thought long and hard once I got home. To be a referee you have to be able to accept insults to a certain degree, but my son enjoys coming to football with his dad and I don’t want to risk putting him through something like that again.”

Barry Taylor, secretary of Towns Club A, said: “If the referee is making an allegation against the football club then I will have to wait for the relevant documentation from the football authorities, but I will defend the good name and integrity of this club to the highest level.”