Former Brighton, Hawks and Weymouth midfielder and Baffins Milton Rovers boss Shaun Wilkinson handed three-month stadium ban

The former Brighton, Hawks and Weymouth midfielder will not be able to return to Rovers match-day duties until February 20 after a social media post sent by him was brought to the attention of the authorities.

As a consequence, Wilkinson was handed 56-day ban for the reported post while his suspension was extended further due to the fact he'd received two red cards this season.

It means Baffins will be without their boss for the next 13 games in all competitions, starting with the delayed 2019/20 season Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final against Horndean at the PMC Stadium tomorrow night.

Managerial duties on a match-day will now be placed in the hands of assistant boss Danny Thompson - who managed Infinity last season - with the help of coaches Matt Jones and Gary Haynes.

After receiving the three-month ban, Wilkinson held his hands up and admitted his discipline has not been 'good enough' since taking the role in the summer.

However, he viewed a stadium ban until February as a 'harsh' punishment - but it's an incident he'll learn from.

Wilkinson said: 'The players are (looking forward to facing Horndean) but unfortunately I’m serving a stadium ban until February 20.

‘I’m picking the side still and I’m still in charge but match-days will be left up to my assistant Danny Thompson and my coaches Matt Jones and Gary Haynes.

‘It’s effectively a three-month ban which I think is extremely harsh but what can I do?

‘It was something that I said on Twitter that the FA weren’t happy with that someone reported.

‘My discipline has not been good enough since I’ve taken over the role anyway.

‘I’ll use this time to put things right for when I come back. I’ve only got myself to blame, it’s my fault.

‘I’ve got myself to blame. I’m a very passionate person, I want my team to do well, but if my team is not winning and playing well then it shows in my actions.’

Despite serving a stadium ban, Wilkinson is permitted to attend other Wessex League matches that do not involve Baffins.

The Rovers boss believes that's one of the only benefits to come from his suspension.

It will give the chance to scout opposition and run the rule over players until February.

‘I’m actually going up to watch Alresford tonight in preparation for Saturday’s game,’ he added.

‘Although I’m not allowed into my games, I’m allowed out to watch other games.

‘I'm allowed out to other games so what I’ll be doing is watching the opposition and I’ll be going out to watch players now.

‘It’s not a good thing but it is a good thing in the fact I can go out to watch targets from the opposition which I haven’t been able to do.’