Footballer hangs up his boots after six red cards in one match
Paul Cooper, 39, was given a two-year ban after losing his temper with a referee.
The striker was shown a second yellow card, for dissent, and sent off while playing for Hawick United against Pencaitland in a Border Amateur League match in November.
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Hide AdMr Cooper then received a five more red cards in the subsequent verbal exchanges with referee Andy Lyon as he left the pitch.
Now he faces the prospect of hanging up his boots.
Mr Cooper – whose nickname is "Santa" – said: "I know it was my fault that I got into trouble.
"I completely overreacted after I had been sent off and I know I said things to the referee I should not have. But I felt so frustrated as I wasn't to blame for the incident that led to me being sent off.
"After the game I went to see the referee in his dressing room and I apologised to him for losing it and he accepted.
"I was given the chance to go to Hampden Park in Glasgow (for a Scottish Amateur Football Association hearing] but it meant taking a day off work and I couldn't afford to do this, so I had to wait until I got a letter to see what my ban would be.
"Unfortunately I've been in bother before with bans and I expected six months. But I was absolutely stunned when I got two years."
Mr Cooper confirmed he would not be appealing and admits his 22-year playing career is over.
He said: "I will just have to accept things and find something else to do on a Saturday."
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Hide AdHawick United manager George Shepherd said: "A few mad moments have basically cost Paul his footballing career."
Hugh Knapp, secretary of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, confirmed the ban, saying: "The matter was properly dealt with under our disciplinary procedures."