Angry coach ‘lost it’ after U-14s match

Jane Stanhope-Jones with son Joshua Jones and stepdad Mark Walsh.

A JUNIOR football coach has escaped jail after admitting assaulting a child and his mother after a match.

Stunned parents and players watched as Keith Morris (47) punched 14-year-old Joshua Jones in the face and grabbed his neck before shoving the teenager’s mother, Jane Stanhope-Jones, over as she rushed to his rescue.

The father-of-two had to be dragged off the teenager after losing control following an under-14s game at Snipe Clough on April 8.

Mrs Stanhope-Jones, from Springhead, told the Chronicle: “He just totally lost it. He snapped. He punched him full in the face and grabbed him round the neck. Josh was struggling to breath. I froze to the spot for a few seconds when I saw what was happening. No-one could believe it and parents had to prise him off Josh. I was so shaken up.”

Joshua had played for Springhead for six years and captained his team.

But prosecutor Julie Spaven told Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday that after Morris took over as coach three years ago he was intimidating and acted like a bully towards Joshua, culminating in him leaving to join Chadderton Juniors.

When the two teams played each other on March 21, Morris yelled at the referee to send Joshua off whenever he was involved in play.

In the return game, Morris yelled at his players to “get him” and “hit him hard” and again called on the referee to give Joshua a red card. The match ended goalless, scuppering Springhead’s chances of winning the league, and Morris lost his temper, shouting at his own players and refusing to shake hands.

He began to take down the goals when Joshua, annoyed by the constant abuse, insulted him.

Morris (pictured right) said “come on then” and punched the teenager in the face, causing a cut and a swollen lip, and then got him around the neck with both hands causing reddening and swelling.

Mrs Stanhope-Jones ran across and shouted “what are you doing?” Morris then pushed her with both hands causing her to fall into the hands of parents who had gathered round. Police were called and parents tried to persuade Morris to wait but he drove off.

Mum and son were treated at the Royal Oldham Hospital with Mrs Stanhope-Jones suffering a torn neck muscle. Morris made counter allegations to police, claiming he had been racially abused, had acted in self-defence and had never attacked Mrs Stanhope-Jones, but this was strongly denied and not accepted by the prosecution.

He initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea on the day of the trial.

In a victim impact statement, Mrs Stanhope-Jones said she had been left shocked and shaken and feared bumping into Morris.

Joshua said: “I no longer feel safe to go out on my own and I feel he will attack me again.”

He claimed Morris had intimidated players and parents before and should not get away with it.

Paul Smithies, chairman of the magistrates, said while a custodial sentence had been considered, he spared Morris prison, handing him a 12-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and 100 hours of community service.

He must attend counselling sessions and pay £175 in compensation with £250 costs.

The Chronicle understands that the FA has banned Morris from managing other clubs.