Goalkeeper apologizes after debut goal, headbutt fan and dismissal on the day he became a member

A GOALKEEPER who was sacked TWELVE HOURS after joining a club has apologized for his nightmare behaviour.

Rushden & Diamonds emergency contract signing Lewis Patching headbutted a fan after what many supporters said was a horror debut.

The seventh-tier club were ‘delighted’ to recruit him on Saturday morning but he could not prevent a 4-0 home loss to Lye Town and he clashed with a critic in a bar at 6pm.

The Northern Premier League team promptly dropped the 22-year-old former Northampton Town youngster.

Patching has now said sorry on social media, but insisted he only responded physically after “fearing for my safety”.

He posted: “Firstly I would like to apologize to the supporter involved and Rushden & Diamonds FC for the events that took place on Saturday evening.

“I was disappointed with the way the match went, both personally and for the club.

“After the match, a group of home fans started swearing. One of them then confronted me directly, invaded my personal space and shouted aggressively in my face.

“I was genuinely afraid for my safety and emotions were running high and I reacted, which I deeply regret.

“This does not excuse my actions and I am disappointed in myself for losing control. Once again, I would like to apologize and wish the club/supporter all the best for the future. Levi.”

Patching was a last-minute recruit as Rushden’s usual goalkeeper Ben Heath was unavailable.

Some home fans then blamed him for as many as three of Lye’s four goals – before things got much worse for him after that.

The club responded to the headbutt incident by stating: “AFC Rushden & Diamonds are aware of an incident in the bar between a first team player and a supporter following this afternoon’s defeat to Lye Town.

“The player’s registration with the club has been canceled with immediate effect and he will not play for the club in the future.

“Although football is a game that evokes extreme emotions and divides opinion, AFC Rushden & Diamonds is committed to ensuring that all players, supporters and visitors treat each other with respect and can attend matches without the threat of abuse from either. physical or verbal nature.

“AFC Rushden & Diamonds is committed to ensuring that every event organized by the club takes place in a safe and welcoming environment and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any violence.”

A few hours earlier, the club had happily announced his arrival to solve their temporary problem between the sticks.

But ultimately he had one of the shortest and most infamous spells in recent football history

Patching is dual registered with St Ives Town of the Southern League Premier League.