A junior football club's secretary has quit after 15 years over the controversial sacking of a goalkeeper.

Reserve team goalie Darren Egerton, 16, was thrown out of Sandy Lane Juniors when he refused to play for the A side.

His team-mates also walked out in protest at the decision, which was made by the club committee even though the A team match he had been asked to play in was called off.

Now John Sharman, who has been secretary of Cottingley-based Sandy Lane Juniors for 15 years, has resigned from the committee as well.

He said Darren, of West Royd, Wilsden, had been treated shamefully and cruelly by the club for wanting to play for the B team with his friends.

"All he wanted was to be allowed one of the basic principles of everyday life, freedom of choice," said Mr Sharman.

"The situation became a matter of principle for me. I was more than a little concerned with regard to a number of serious issues raised as a result and the dual standards the club had apparently embarked upon. It was obvious that the club was veering steeply away from its often well-publicised principles."

The team, including Darren, has re-formed under the guidance of Trevor Storton, manager of Unibond League club Bradford Park Avenue, and will play as its new Under-17s side next season.

But Stephen Chell, chairman of Sandy Lane Juniors, today defended the club over its role in the affair.

"I think it is very sad that Mr Sharman should resort to such methods instead of leaving the club after several years with a little more dignity," he said.

Mr Chell said the club was regularly involved in projects which it felt would benefit young people. These included a partnership with the Belle Vue schools in Bradford for National Lottery funding to improve their facilities.

"I wish John and the other lads who have left Sandy Lane every success in any new venture but request that they do not attempt to blacken the name of Sandy Lane Juniors with such comments which are simply distortions of the truth," he added.

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