HOTHEAD Alan White is walking a disciplinary tightrope and cannot afford to slip up again or he will not play for Darlington again, says manager Martin Gray.

The defender has already received a ban following an incident which occurred immediately after last Saturday’s game with Marine, when he was dismissed for shoving linesman Asa McDonough, who is believed to have refused to shake hands with White.

Like The Northern Echo's Darlington FC Facebook page

Saturday’s red card has been punished with a three-match ban, plus a further game in recognition of reaching five yellows for the season, so he will miss four matches and the club are braced for further punishment.

The Darlington-born defender was also sent off twice last season and may see his suspension lengthened if the Football Association believe further punishment is necessary.

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 and served touchline bans.

“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.”

Gray, speaking to the club’s website, also revealed that White will not be paid for the duration of his suspension, which begins on Saturday, October 17.

“He’s been fined more than I can fine him,” said Gray. “He’s took that on board. He will be fined as long as he’s suspended – not just two weeks, a long as it takes to get him back on the pitch.

“The kid’s got so much to offer the team, but he’s only useful if he’s on the pitch, that’s the top and bottom of it and he understands that as well.

“He held his hands up and rightly so. We’ve all done it, but it won’t happen again.

“End of story, he’s done what he’s done and it won’t happen again hopefully.”

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

The Northern Echo: