Hudgell: Cockayne attack was "atrocious"

The chairman of Rovers has said he cannot condone or justify Ben Cockayne's assault.

The club have now suspended the 25-year-old player after he was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years for his part in the attack in November 2007.

The decision to suspend Cockayne without pay was sanctioned in a meeting of the club's board of directors.

Neil Hudgell said: "We have decided under the circumstances that we won't terminate Ben's contract, but what we will do is put some measures in place that enable him to come back into this club as a better individual and a better and more positive ambassador for the club.

"Ben was sentenced to a period of imprisonment that was suspended, but on top of that, he was ordered to do a period of community service.

"We think it is appropriate that Ben gets that out of the way and pays his dues to society before he can be considered for first team selection.

"We have suspended Ben from first team selection, either until he completes his community service or until June 1."

The Rovers chairman said he took a dim view of the video footage that captured the assault.

He said: "I think my view is the same as any right-minded person, it was pretty atrocious.

"It speaks for itself, there is no way anybody could condone, or justify or excuse, what has gone on in that video, regardless of any suggestions of provocation or anything.

"I think that the video speaks for itself and there cannot be any justification for those actions."