Ex-football manager denies attack

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The former manager of Burnley Football Club lost his temper and head-butted a spectator at a cricket match, a court has heard.

Stan Ternent, 61, of Cliviger, Burnley, Lancashire, allegedly assaulted the son of a former footballing colleague at Burnley Cricket Club last summer.

He denies assault causing actual bodily harm at Lancaster Crown Court.

But the prosecution alleges Mr Ternent had shown a "propensity for losing his temper" in his autobiography.

The jury were told they would be read two excerpts from the book Stan The Man: A Hard Life In Football, which detailed examples of the defendant losing his temper and striking out at other footballing figures.

'Poked in stomach'

The court heard on 6 August last year the alleged victim, Greg Wilson, was speaking to his father Harry in the clubhouse after the Worsley Cup final tie against Nelson was abandoned due to rain.

Mr Robert Elias, prosecuting, said Mr Wilson had had a few drinks and was maybe tipsy when Mr Ternent approached his father, who used to work under him at one of his former clubs, Bury.

Mr Elias said: "The defendant poked Greg Wilson in the stomach and said 'all right, fatty'.

"Mr Wilson took umbrage and left.

"The defendant shouted at him 'Alex, come back'.

"Mr Wilson replied 'my name is not Alex, you p****'.

"The defendant then lunged forward and head-butted Greg Wilson.

"This was no accident. It was an act of violence because of a cheap remark by Greg Wilson."

Mr Wilson needed hospital treatment for a deep cut above his left eyebrow and needed nine stitches to his forehead.

When interviewed by police two days later Mr Ternent said he was sorry for what had happened.

Mr Ternent has also worked at Bury, Gillingham and Hull City.

The case continues.