Selby Town football club manager Bob Lyon has been banned from the dugout area until the end of this year after being convicted of butting a rival club official.

The ban, which started last Monday, was imposed by FA chiefs, in London, and runs until December 31.

During that time, Lyon, of Green Lane, Selby, will not be allowed inside the so-called technical area during matches.

Selby Town FC secretary Tommy Arkley said today they were reasonably happy with the FA ruling.

He said: "We still feel Bob is innocent but he was convicted and we have to accept the FA's decision. It's now all over and done with as far as we are concerned."

Selby Town have had a poor start to the new season in the North East Counties Premier League, losing their first three games, and are still without a goal.

The "technical area" ban was in force for the first time when Selby Town lost 4-0 on Monday to Liversedge.

But Arkley said the results had not been affected by Lyons' situation.

He said: "We aren't at panic stations yet. We're having a bad run and it's just a case of getting that first goal.

"Hopefully we can put things right this Saturday when we play Newcastle Blue Star in the preliminary round of the FA Cup."

Lyon, 40, was given 80 hours community service after a three-day trial at Whitby Magistrates Court in May, when he was convicted of assaulting Pickering Town fixtures secretary Alan Brenckley.

He was also ordered to pay £800 costs and £150 compensation to Brenckley after magistrates told Lyon his behaviour was "totally unacceptable."

Pickering Town chairman Tony Dunning today declined to comment.

Lyon said he would be making a statement tomorrow.

Updated: 14:48 Wednesday, August 28, 2002