Alan Hardy: 'John Sheridan sacked for comments made to match officials'

Alan Hardy has revealed that he sacked John Sheridan from his post as Notts County manager because of his verbal abusing of match officials during the defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

The 52-year-old was dismissed as Magpies boss on January 3 following a club-record ninth consecutive defeat in League Two, but the club made no reference to why he was let go at the time.

New owner Hardy has now confirmed that it was Sheridan's abusive language towards referee Eddie Ilderton and the other officials following the 2-0 defeat to Wycombe in December rather than the club's poor form which led to the manager's departure.

Hardy told the official Notts site: "I wish to make it clear that this sort of behaviour by any employee of this club will not be tolerated.

"It was our decision to terminate the contract based on what I read in the referee's report regarding the incident. This is a family-friendly club which aims to be a pillar of the local community.

"Comments of the type made by Mr Sheridan were utterly appalling and wholly unacceptable, completely undermining the community spirit and focus we are striving to develop here.

"In light of the recent disclosure of the referee's report, I thought it appropriate to communicate the exact reasons behind the course of action we took."

Sheridan received a five-match ban for the abuse, and he apologised for his behaviour - he is now back at previous club Oldham Athletic.

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