BARNET APPEAL AGAINST SENDING OFF

Last updated : 28 October 2005 By Ed

The Guardian:

Ross Flitney could be found yesterday trying to clear his name after his 15 minutes - or rather 90 seconds - of fame at Manchester United on Wednesday. The Barnet goalkeeper is to appeal against the red card that sent him to an early bath despite not having a scuff of mud on his knees.

"The night before the game I dreamt that I would get a standing ovation.

"I even told the lads. But I never imagined I would be clapped off because I had been sent off within 90 seconds. All week I had been living for the occasion. It had been a dream of mine to play at Old Trafford since I was a kid and within two minutes it was snatched away. I'm still speechless about it.

"Obviously, I want the card overturned, but I will always remember which referee it is, and though I won’t hold it against him, he has taken my big night away from me. It had been my dream to come and play here since I was a kid so to be sent off after two minutes was absolutely gutting."

Flitney, a former Fulham trainee, was comforted at half-time by United's Edwin van der Sar, a former colleague at Craven Cottage and who was rested for the game. "He put his arm around me and offered me a few words of wisdom. It was great of him to do that, but he said that he didn't quite know what to say. I have already started picking myself up. I am not somebody who dwells on things too much or for too long and the boys have been there for me. It is over now but I am definitely appealing."