A non-league football team has issued a response after a black player was racially abused during a game.

Hollands and Blair, based in Gillingham, faced off against Erith and Belvedere at the weekend, during which one of their stewards made a racist comment towards a player.

Following the incident, the south London side's assistant manager Brain Vanderhook decided to step down and quit football.

The club's acting chairman, Michael Cooper, said he had referred what happened to Kent FA.

Hollands and Blair, who play in Southern Counties East Football League, has now released a statement, saying: "It is with regret that we have had a situation where someone from our club made a racial comment to an Erith and Belvedere player towards the end of Saturday's league match.

"Hollands and Blair FC has given both verbal and written apologies to Erith and Belvedere and the person in question has given a face to face apology to the player straight after the game which was graciously accepted.

"We realise that it affects more than just the player and we would like it placed on record that we sincerely regret this incident and apologise to anyone upset by this and we are in the process of dealing with the situation at board level.

"Finally we do not condone any racial abuse for whatever reason and we will ensure, through education, to keep a zero tolerance stance on this serious matter."

Mr Vanderhook - who also acted as the Welling-based club's goalkeeper coach - tweeted on Monday thanking fans for their messages of support.

He said: "I move on with special memories but the upset and hurt is still there."

The club also tweeted proposing football teams wear black armbands during their remaining fixtures in a stand against racial intolerance.

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