John Sheridan was sacked as Notts County manager earlier this month after a run of nine successive defeats in League Two. Former Bolton and Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan has since taken the reins with the club picking up its first points since October in a 0-0 draw with Mansfield at the weekend.
The fifth defeat in that dismal run of form for the ex-Ireland international's team came on December 10th, a 2-0 loss at home to Wycombe.
It was a game which saw an exasperated Sheridan sent to the stands in the second half. The 52-year-old was subsequently given a five-game touchline ban by the FA and fined £2,500.
The FA report regarding the disciplinary process makes for some interesting reading. Sheridan was furious with the match officials who he felt had unjustly sent off Notts County captain Michael O'Connor in the first half and also wrongly disallowed a goal for his side with the game still scoreless.
In his incident report, referee Eddie Ilderton - who was taking charge of his first match of the season - told of an extraordinary rant which Sheridan went on just prior to being dismissed. Sheridan's rage was that of a man who knew his time as manager was edging closer to an end.
In the 55th minute 4th Official Matthew Donohue informed me that Notts County manager John Sheridan should be removed from the technical area for his behaviour towards himself. I then asked Mr Sheridan to leave the technical area, and take a place in the stands. Mr Sheridan then said to me “You’re a fucking disgrace, you’re fucking useless, you’ve not fucking got anything right today, you should be fucking ashamed, you’re fucking shit, my kids aren’t going to get any fucking Christmas presents because of fucking you” Mr Sheridan then took his place in the stands for the rest of the game.
The fourth official was also the subject of Sheridan's ire, prior to him being sent to the stands and after.
In the 56th minute, after Wycombe Wanderers had scored their second goal, Notts County manager, John Sheridan and assistant manager, Mark Crossley left the technical to complain to assistant referee, Anthony Moore. I approached them to tell them they needed to remain in their technical area. Mr Sheridan then shouted directly into my face, “You’re a fucking cunt. A cunt”.
I then called across referee Eddie Ilderton, who dismissed Mr Sheridan from the technical area. On leaving the technical area, Mr Sheridan approached me again, shouting directly at me, “You really are a cunt. I’m gonna knock you out you cunt”.
Sheridan did not spend long out of a job after being sacked. It was just 10 days before he returned to Boundary Park to become Oldham manager for the third time.
H/T Adam Hurrey
