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Coach Martin Pounds sees red and attacks rival Darren Chissell during a practice session

has narrowly avoided a straight red card – after attacking a rival during a practice session.PoundsMartinSoccer coach

Kennington Colts U7's manager Martin Pounds
Kennington Colts U7's manager Martin Pounds

The 43-year-old thumped victim Darren Chissell after an eight year feud between the two over the transfer of junior players at Kennington.

a dressing down, telling his that his dispute with his fellow coach was “utterly trivial”.PoundsBut a judge gave

, of The Pasture, Kennington escaped an immediate jail sentence after admitting an assault causing actual bodily harm.Pounds

But he will have to pay his victim £800 compensation for the injury which left Mr Chissell needing eight stitches in a mouth wound.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey told Canterbury Crown Court how the bust-up took place last June at Ashford Hockey Club where the Under 15 boys were practising.

Mr Chissell told the lads to take a rest and bent down to pick up some cones used for football practice.

“He felt something brushing past him. And he assumed it was just one of the players going past. But then he felt something hitting the left side of his mouth and jaw.

“At first he didn’t realise what had happened but then he realised that someone had approached him from behind and punched him in the face. He looked up and saw the defendant, looking very angry and spitting words of very unpleasant abuse at him.”

then made another attempt to hit his victim while trying to taunt him into having a fight.PoundsHe said the prosecution claimed

Mr Harvey added: “Mr Chissell made no attempt to retaliate whatsoever and made efforts to back away. He later needed medical treatment for his very unpleasant injuries, and was left with a permanent scar.”

’ team had gone to Kennington Juniors, which was coached by Mr Chissell.PoundsThe prosecutor explained that the two had fallen out after players from

Canterbury Crown Court
Canterbury Crown Court

had become involved in coaching in 2003 when his five-year-old child showed an interest in football.PoundsNatalie Foster, for the food distribution centre team leader, said

“From 2003 to 2010 there was a numerous disagreements between the two men and the primary reason for them was the transfers and he was upset at how Mr Chissell dealt with them.”

But Judge Adele Williams retorted: “This demonstrates how utterly trivial the perceived wrongs or problems were – and should not have resulted in violence.”

was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay his victim £800 compensation.Pounds

He was also told he had to do 120 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay another £800 in costs.

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