A parks footballer claims he was shown a straight red card for spelling his name out to the referee.

Anglo Caledonian striker Steve Bowley says he received his marching orders from Littlehampton ref Phil Davies after the official took offence to the player spelling out his name slowly.

The sending off took place during the Sussex Sunday League game between Caledonian and high-flying Woodingdean.

With his side trailing 3-2, Bowley said he was called over by the referee to be cautioned for dissent and despite telling the referee his name twice, the official failed to see it on the team sheet.

Bowley then says he proceeded to spell his name very loudly and slowly, but referee Davis failed to see the funny side and sent him off.

The 14-goal marksman, who had never previously been sent off, is now waiting for the mandatory £10.00 fine and seven-day ban to land on his doorstep.

He explained: "I had a toothache and wasn't supposed to be playing but the lads were short and they phoned me up. I got changed in the car and to be sent off five minutes from time just rounded off a sorry morning.

"It certainly wasn't worth getting out of bed for. Myself and my team-mates only play for a laugh and we don't want that sort of aggravation.

"No one expected him to give me a red card but he turned round and said: 'go on, off you go.' I hadn't even spoken to the ref before. I was really amazed so were the opposition players.

"I think the standard of refereeing has been terrible this season. You can't make one comment without being sent off."

Whistle blower Davies refuted the player's report of the incident.

Davies said: "It is a yarn. The young man in question made a comment of dissent late in the game after a foul had been given against his side. As I tried to ask for his name he continued so he was dismissed from the field for two acts of dissent."

And Davies added that he believed players' behaviour towards officials was deteriorating.

"I think football reflects life," he said.

Sussex FA chief executive Ken Benham revealed referees did not have to show two yellows and then a red if a player was being sent off for two bookable offences.

He said: "It is down to the discretion of the referee. It is not compulsory, sometimes a referee will not show all three cards to avoid making the situation worse."

It is not the first controversial refereeing involving Anglo Caledonian this term. In December they walked off after being reduced to nine men by Brighton referee Colin Davies during their game against Adur Old Boys.

Secretary Paul Whitmore said: "I do wonder whether the two referees are related. We only get up on a Sunday to play for a bit of fun. Some of our team are over 40 and we only play for enjoyment.

"If referees continue to be so dictatorial we will have to think carefully before playing next season."

The Sussex Sunday League refuted claims of a decline in standards of officiating at games.

Chairman Roy Terrington said: "On the whole the referees are coming back to me and saying how much they enjoy refereeing our league. We are one of the only leagues in the county who are not losing referees at the moment.

"As a referee myself, I know if you do get too much abuse then you don't enjoy refereeing in that particular league. Any ref gets it now and again but if it becomes too much then they will stop. Referees don't do it for the money. There have been a few problems around, I'm not saying our players are angels."

Terrington also revealed the league plans to start advertising for new teams to make it bigger and better in the future.

He added: "We are always striving to increase our league. We are looking for decent clubs to join and will be advertising in The Argus soon."

Park Life gave Bowley a case of London Pride for his trouble, perhaps he can share at least one with ref Davies.