A referee in the North West has been assaulted on the pitch shortly after giving a red card, and has been left with ‘significant injuries’.
Dave Bradshaw was admitted to hospital following the attack, which occurred while he was overseeing an amateur match between Wigan Rose and Platt Bridge FC.
He issued a red card to a player for Platt Bridge FC on Sunday afternoon, who then launched an attack on the referee.
It’s understood his injuries include broken ribs, a concussion, and a broken nose, Lancs Live reports.
Dave Bradshaw was attacked on the pitch in Wigan. Credit: Facebook
The player responsible for the attack is no longer part of the Platt Bridge FC team, the club announced.
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They said in a statement on Facebook: “We as a club do not condone any violence towards anyone in the football community.
“We are ashamed of what has happened, and the player is no longer playing with our team going forward.
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“We as a team hope we can build our reputation back to what we have worked so hard for.”
Dave said on Monday: “It’s been a very traumatic 12 hours, thanks for all the kind words. I’ve sustained substantial injuries.
“I’ll survive [but] my confidence has been smashed to bits. Please because of one person don’t tarnish the club with the same brush. The club are doing great things for the community.”
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He’d earlier said: “Can’t sleep in so much pain.”
GMP said: “Police were made aware at around 6pm on Sunday 2 October 2022 of a serious assault, that had taken place during the Platt Bridge v Wigan Rose Remembrance Cup game, held earlier in the day at football pitches in a Platt Bridge.
“As a result, a referee sustained significant injuries which resulted in him needing hospital treatment. As over 100 people attended the game, officers are asking anyone with any information, including mobile phone footage, to contact them. This can be done via gmp.police.uk, 101 or 0161 856 7094, quoting reference number 2490-021022. Crimestoppers – the independent charity – can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 and in emergency, dial 999.”
The FA said in a statement titled ‘Enough is enough’: “We are aware of incidents of assault on a match official and a player during matches played this weekend in Lancashire.
“We have been very clear that all forms of anti-social behaviour, abuse and assaults on match officials and participants are completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate this in the game.
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“We are investigating the incidents as a matter of urgency, working with the Lancashire FA, who are liaising with the police and supporting the match official and player affected.”
Featured image: Facebook
News
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
England international and ex-Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan dies at 75
Danny Jones
Football veteran and legend of the English game, Kevin Keegan OBE, has sadly died at the age of 75.
A former Liverpool and Newcastle player, not to mention England international, turned Manchester City manager and even Three Lions boss, his death was announced on Monday, 20 July.
The news comes following a battle with illness since the start of the year, after it was revealed that he was tragically diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in January.
The original ‘King Kev’ before the likes of De Bruyne, also affectionately known in the footballing world as ‘Mighty Mouse’, is said to have passed away with key members of his close family by his side.
Confirmed via a public statement issued to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves, they wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Put simply, he had an incredible career and leaves a lasting legacy.
It goes on to read: “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Naturally, tributes are already flooding in online, with ex-pros, pundits and fans alike labelling him among England’s best-loved father figures and characters, with one user notably dubbing him as “one of football’s good guys.”
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
The England, Liverpool and Newcastle United legend will be remembered as one of English football's most decorated players. pic.twitter.com/oNIPUV806n
Even at his fiery and most passionate best, he was still one of the most respected figures in the history of English football and the sporting world at large.
For instance, arguably his most iconic interview as Newcastle boss ahead of his team’s clash against Manchester United back in 1995/96 only showed how mild-mannered he often came across.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, former teammates and all those mourning the familiar face with a famously good head of hair.
Daisy Jackson -
5th October 2022 
