A 'RECKLESS' football club kit manager caught speeding was backed up by a former Worcester City chairman who spoke on his behalf at court.

Coventry City Football Club kit manager Christopher Marsh was banned from driving when he appeared before Worcester magistrates on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old of Bronze View Coventry was clocked doing 75mph in a 50mph section of the A46 bypass at Sedgeberrow on September 11 last year.

The court heard that Marsh already had three previous convictions for speeding and nine penalty points on his licence.

Speaking on his behalf at court was David Boddy, chief executive of Coventry City Football Club and former chairman of Worcester City Football Club.

David Shadwell, the chairman of the bench, told Marsh: "75 miles per hour in a 50 is careless - it's reckless - it's dangerous."

He added: "You can't go on like this."

Mr Boddy said Marsh had to drive between three different sites and would leave in his kit van well ahead of the team, preparing kit for their arrival.

He said Marsh worked a 12 to 13 hour day. When Mr Boddy was asked if anyone could do the driving for Marsh, he said: "We're already dramatically understaffed. With the year we have had with Covid we have had no income this year and no Government support."

Mr Boddy said the club was facing a £3 million deficit. He also described Marsh as a 'father figure and role model' to young footballers, transporting them to and from the venues.

"They very much depend on him" said Mr Boddy. Without him driving, they would 'very much have to fend for themselves' he said.

Magistrates decided to ban Marsh for most recent speeding offence for 28 days rather than impose penalty points which would have meant he faced a six month ban under the totting up procedure (12 points or more).

As a result the nine points will remain on Marsh's licence. Magistrates also fined him £384, ordered him to pay costs of £110 and a victim surcharge of £38.