King’s Lynn set up fundraiser to pay for fine of former Bristol Rovers chief Tommy Widdrington

Tommy Widdrington’s new club King’s Lynn Town have launched a fundraising campaign to pay for his fine after controversy in a game last month.

Widdrington, who was the director of football at Bristol Rovers before Joey Barton came in, has been managing in the National League since his departure from the Memorial Stadium in December.

The 50-year-old has been tasked with preserving the fifth tier status of Norfolk-based side King’ Lynn, who are currently second from bottom.

They will have to do without him though for the next three matches after being served a four-match ban.

Widdrington is alleged to have broken two rules with the FA association, which includes language towards a match official that could be deemed abusive, insulting or improper.

A further charge of failing to control their players was also suggested though no decision has been made yet on the retrospective action they may receive. The non-league club have denied all three charges and have requested personal hearings.

Issuing a response to the allegations, Widdrington said: “Whilst I accept the verdict following the recent hearing, and I will of course adhere to the punishment of a touch line ban. I do however firmly maintain that I did not use the language I have been found guilty of using.

Taking into account the fact that I have never appeared before an FA panel in my time as a Manager previously, and I take pride in the fact that I have kept an excellent discipline record, I was expecting a more lenient outcome and feel the punishment is somewhat harsh in the given circumstances.”.

Local-based website Lynn News say that an FA spokesperson spoke to them saying that Widdrington himself had been fined £500 for his apparent actions.

Now the club have launched a fundraiser to pay towards the £850 accumulative fine that both Widdrington and they have received.

The charges relate to the match with Southend United back in January where King’s Lynn conceded a 91st-minute penalty which consigned them to a 2-1 defeat.br

Widdrington’s players surrounded the referee to show their displeasure at the decision and as a result, the club were issued with a fine. Club chairman Stephen Cleeve then urged fans to help pay towards the fines the cub have endured.

“Help pay Tommy and the Club’s fine for complaining about the penalty that never was, he tweeted.

"Thank you for your support."

A number of former Bristol Rovers players are currently on the books of the Linnets including midfielder Josh Barrett, who left the club in September after his contract was terminated. The Irish midfielder has gone on to make 13 league appearances for them, scoring three goals, which is a respectable return given he was considering retirement from the game at just 23-years-old.

They also signed Zain Walker on a permanent deal in January with the Gas receiving a nominal fee for the 20-year-old after he spent a month on loan at the club in the earlier part of the season.

Most recently, midfielder Cameron Hargreaves, son of Rovers legend Chris Hargreaves, was loaned out to them on a one-month loan deal.