Non-League goalkeeper sacked just a day after being emergency signing for the club following dismal debut and moment of madness involving a fan

A non-league goalkeeper has been sacked just a day after becoming an emergency signing for the club.

Lewis Patching was signed by AFC Rushden and the Diamonds due to the unavailability of their goalkeeper Ben Heath.

But Patching’s debut in the team would end up being a nightmare as Rushden and Diamonds fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat to Lye Town.

Things went from bad to worse that day for Patching who then found himself involved in an argument with fans at a local bar.

Reports suggest the heated argument ended when the goalkeeper head-butted a supporter around 6 p.m.

On Saturday morning, Rushden and Diamonds released a statement welcoming their new goalkeeper from St Ives, saying: “We have signed 22-year-old goalkeeper Lewis Patching on a dual registration basis from Southern League Premier League side St. Ives Town due to the unavailability of Ben Heath for today’s home match against Lye Town.

“Lewis counts Hemel Hempstead Town, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Daventry Town and Newport Pagnell Town among his previous clubs and is available for selection immediately.”

But hours later a further statement from the club read: “AFC Rushden & Diamonds are aware of an incident in the bar between a first team player and a supporter following this afternoon’s defeat to Lye Town.

“The player in question has had his registration with the Club canceled with immediate effect and will no longer feature for the Club in the future.

“While football is a game that stirs up extreme emotions and divides opinion, AFC Rushden & Diamonds is committed to ensuring that all players, supporters and visitors treat each other with respect and are able to attend matches without risk of abuse, physical or verbal nature.

“AFC Rushden & Diamonds is committed to ensuring that any event organized by the club takes place in a safe and welcoming environment and to implementing a zero-tolerance stance towards any violence.”

One user in X compared the incident to the song Seven Days by Craig David saying: “Sign an emergency loan for Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday morning”.

“Goalkeeper in a four-nil defeat in the afternoon.

‘HEADBUTT a fan at the bar at 6 p.m. Sacked on a Sunday. Craig David has just been outdone by Lewis Patching!’