PAUL Oakshott admits that he is no angel. But the 36-year-old is prepared to dispute the red card he received last Sunday right up to the Football Association headquarters.

PAUL Oakshott admits that he is no angel. But the 36-year-old is prepared to dispute the red card he received last Sunday right up to the Football Association headquarters.

It was his final game after a playing career that began when he was 15. He has been in trouble with referees many times and been handed a number of suspensions.

But he is still fuming today after being shown two yellow cards while playing for Ipswich Port Authority against Dickerson in the Second Division of the Ipswich Sunday League.

"I was booked for saying ridiculous to the referee," explained former Cornard, Westerfield and Brantham player Oakshott. "I then made a remark to a team mate which the referee misinterpreted and I was sent off for foul language.

"I completely lost the plot and had to be calmed by my team mates. But I never swore and I never deserved to be sent off.

"The game was hard-fought but did not contain one malicious tackle. Yet three players received red cards.

"I don't want to give the referee a hard time – most of them are okay – but this was too much to take.

"If I had been younger it would have put me off the game. Two clubs have folded in our division this season and if this standard of refereeing continues there will be a lot more.

"Players have had a bad press recently, but it is not all one way. Sunday morning football is Mickey Mouse. It is a bit of fun. Yet it can be taken so seriously.

"We all see players swearing on television and not even getting spoken to. This 'offence' is going to cost me at least £30 and, with my record, probably a 70-day ban.

"As I am packing up the ban does not concern me, but the red card does and I will fight this all the way to the House of Lords if necessary."

This column last week featured a story about trouble in a Sunday game between Kirton and Case is Altered where three Kirton players were sent off. Since that game the teams have met in the return league fixture, and with Suffolk FA chairman George Whight in attendance the 90 minutes passed without the referee having to reach for a card of any colour. Well done.