DARLINGTON have condemned Alan White for pushing a linesman at the end of last Saturday’s game with Marine and revealed that they have fined the veteran defender.

A strongly-worded statement last night described White as having ‘severely crossed boundaries’ and it came 24 hours after manager Martin Gray said that he would not play for the club again should he fall out of line once more.

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Saturday’s red card has been punished with a three-match ban, plus he has been handed a further game in recognition of reaching five yellows for the season, and the club are braced for further punishment from the FA for White.

A statement read: “The board of directors has the responsibility of ensuring that all club officials, management and coaching staff, players and supporters behave in such a manner at all times that does not bring the club into disrepute.

“Darlington Football Club wholeheartedly supports the FA’s Respect campaign and will adhere to its principles and boundaries in all aspects of the game.

“With particular reference to Alan White, those boundaries were severely crossed during the incident on the pitch at the end of last Saturday’s game. As expected, and during a meeting with manager Martin Gray, Alan has apologised and regrets his actions and he will face the subsequent FA sanctions imposed upon him. In addition the club will impose a fine.

“Martin Gray’s comments yesterday were as a result of a discussion with the board of directors and carry the full support of the club.

“The club has always and will always continue to have a considered and consistent approach to such matters based on factual information while upholding its standards of professional expectations at all times.”

While Quakers await White’s fate, Gray has made his position clear on the 39-year-old.

“Since the weekend we’ve had a chance to reflect on what happened and an opportunity to speak to him at training. We’ve had time to understand both sides of the story and decided what action to take,” said Gray, no stranger himself to disciplinary issues having been dismissed from the dugout more than once while Darlington boss.

“This is his last chance. He breaks it again and he won’t play for this club again as long as I’m the manager.

“We’ve got to have good discipline and I expect from a senior professional with his experience to have higher standards. This is not the first time he’s let the club down but it will be the last time.

“If he does let the club down again with poor discipline or dissent then he’ll never play for this club again as long as I’m manager.”

A firm favourite with many Darlington fans, White is approaching his 200th game for the club in all competitions across three spells since first joining in 2007 and in that time has received seven red cards.

He will be available for tomorrow’s trip to Mickleover, who are 11th and won promotion last season from Division One South, but Chris Hunter begins a three-match ban.