A FORMER soccer player who was never sent off in his professional career has been 'red carded' at the age of 82 - by his own bowling club.

Jack Higham, who later became a referee, now faces a one-year ban imposed by Whitehead Park Veterans Bowling Club in Bury after an allegation of bad behaviour was upheld.

The disciplinary action follows a complaint from a fellow member who was paired with Mr Higham during a league match.

The pensioner, of Wellington Square, Bury, was accused of humiliating and ridiculing his team-mate during a pairs match against another club. Mr Higham is also said to have jabbed a finger towards him, while shouting 'think, think, think'. Now, he has been told he will not be registered by Whitehead Park as a player in the Bury Vets League next year.

In a letter to Mr Higham, Whitehead Park team captain Mr Arthur Harris said: "This type of action is truly degrading and reflects badly on the club who will not tolerate such happenings. This is not the first time adverse comments have been made by your bowling partner and the opposition regarding your bad behaviour on the green."

Mr Harris added, however: "You will still be able to remain a welcome member of the Whitehead Park Vets Club and participate in all other social activities throughout the year."

The disciplinary action has infuriated Mr Higham who, during the 1950s, played professional football for Rochdale. After injury, he turned out for amateur teams. Later, he was on the referees supplementary list. He ran the line during a European Cup match in Copenhagen in 1958 and a year later was the referee at the English Junior Cup Final.

He admits jabbing his finger at his bowls partner but said that the subsequent complaint was 'childish'.

He added: "Niggling does go on in bowls matches. That day, we were having a laugh and joke with our opponents. I've been stitched up." Mr Higham claimed that the real reason for the ban stemmed from a dispute with his bowling partner's wife.

Now, he is pressing to be represented at an appeal hearing at which he will challenge the ban.

"Under the rules, I must be given a personal hearing which I've never had. I've been playing bowls for 65 years and have been a member at Whitehead for five years. Nothing like this has ever happened to me in the past," Mr Higham added.

Mr Harris told the Bury Times: "If we get a letter asking for a personal hearing, he'll get one. I've had a few of the team saying to me they don't want to bowl with him. As far as his attitude off the green is concerned, we have no complaints."