GREAT Wakering Rovers player-manager Steve Butterworth has been banned from all football related activity until June 21 after being found guilty of betting offences.

Butterworth has breached FA Rule E8 having placed 1,541 bets on football matches between August 3, 2014 and May 29, 2019.

As a result, Butterworth has been suspended from all activity within the game and also handed a £150 fine.

Butterworth took over from Garry Kimble as interim player-manager in January 2019 but was handed the job on a permanent basis last April.

During his first full campaign in charge, Wakering have shone and – heading into the enforced break due to the coronavirus epidemic – find themselves seventh in the Isthmian North standings.

Should the season recommence ahead of Butterworth’s ban coming to an end, first team coach Craig Shipman will lead Wakering from the dugout.