AN ENTIRE football team walked off the pitch during a match in solidarity with one of their players who was racially abused by a spectator.

Reserve teams from Bridport and Gillingham were in the second half of extra time during a match on Saturday afternoon, when one of the Gillingham players was racially abused by a spectator supporting the opposite side.

The incident, which was described as ‘disgusting, abhorrent and horrendous’ by the Bridport manager, prompted the entire Gillingham team to abandon the game to show their support for the abused player, and their contempt for the comment that had been made.

The player has reported the abuse to the police and it is believed that an investigation is ongoing.

Paul Hill, secretary at Gillingham, said: “The referee heard the comment during the game and stopped the play and then the game was abandoned because of what was said.

“Our player concerned has made a report to the police and it’s ongoing.

“We are also waiting to heard back from the Football Association (FA) to find out what will happen as the game was abandoned before the end of play. At the time, Bridport were winning 2-1 but we don’t know what will happen next.”

He added: “The Bridport side were very good and removed the person from the ground.”

Rob Marquis, manager of Bridport, is appalled at the behaviour of a fan who has been banned from the club for life.

He said: “None of us condone any kind of racism in the game. Unfortunately, we had an individual watching who made a pretty disgusting, horrendous comment which was completely abhorrent.

“He has been banned from the club and there is absolutely no place for racism here. He is not associated with the club and absolutely won't be coming back.

“I sincerely hope that the player who was involved can see that this was a brainless individual who made the comment and this isn’t the opinion of the club. The individual is absolutely in the minority and I really hope that this doesn’t have a lasting effect on the player.”

Mr Marquis added: “It’s such a shame because something like this reflects so badly on the club and we do not condone it at all. I apologise profusely to the player for experiencing that.”

In a statement, Bridport chairman Adrian Scadding said: "It is with regret that I can confirm that yesterday’s game between Bridport Reserves and Gillingham Town Reserves was abandoned after a visiting player was subjected to racial abuse by a spectator.

"The club, the Western League, Dorset Premier League, Dorset Leagues and the FA do not, and will not tolerate, behaviour of this kind and the person involved has been banned for life from St Mary’s, with immediate effect.

"On behalf of the club I would like to offer my sincere apologies to the player, everyone connected with Gillingham Town FC, the match officials and any one who attended the game for any hurt or distress caused by one person’s actions."