Non-league Chippenham Town striker David Pratt shot himself into
international stardom today, but for all the wrong reasons.
According to multiple media sources, within three seconds of a
match against rivals Bashley, Pratt was issued a straight red card
for a lunge at Chris Knowles.
It was the first move of the game, and it was to prove Pratt's
first - and last - contribution prior to his early bath.
Chippenham went on to lose the fixture by two goals to one, and
that may be hugely down to their numerical disadvantage for the
remaining 89 minutes and 57 seconds of normal play.
Pratt though, whose side compete in the British Gas Southern
Premier League, told the BBC:
"I felt hard done by, but it's the ref's decision and he thinks
it was a red card so I have to take it," he said.
"The world record is not a big deal for me, its not something
that I'm proud of." Pratt concluded.
Normally Mild Mannered
Chippenham secretary George McCaffrey is quoted by
Yahoo as saying: "You normally won't meet a milder man,
but David lost it."
Bashley boss Steve Riley believes the referee got the decision
correct: "The lad's gone in with his studs showing and went
straight through my player. It was a potential leg-breaker.
"The ref had no choice."
Pratt has smashed the previous world record for the fastest
sending off in football.
Bologna's Giuseppe Lorenzo was red-carded ten seconds into an
Italian league game in 1990 for assaulting an opponent.
goal.com
