AFC TOTTON are seeking advice on whether their popular former goalkeeper Wayne Shaw can continue doing commercial work for the club while serving an FA ban.

Shaw has been fined £375 and suspended for two months by The FA following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing for famously eating a pie during Sutton United’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal last season.

It was alleged he had intentionally influenced betting markets after a bookmaker had offered odds of 8-1 that he would eat a pie on camera, a charge which Shaw denied.

Totton-based Shaw works for the Evo-Stik South West club on a consultancy basis and has helped bring a host of new sponsors into the club.

His bubbly, larger-than-life personality has contributed to boosting the feel-good factor around the place after some tough times for the Stags on and off the pitch.

Club chairman Wayne Mew said: “Wayne’s been working here on the commercial side and it’s really starting to take off, so it would be a real shame if we were to lose him for two months.

“His ban concerns ‘football-related activities’ and we’ve tried to seek advice from the Hampshire FA over what that covers. The initial thought is that it may not affect what he does here, but we need the ban to come through in writing before clarifying it with the FA.

“Wayne’s not on the club payroll and he’s not on our coaching or playing staff. He’s working for himself as a consultant to AFC Totton.”

Given that the FA’s Integrity Department decided John Terry and Chelsea had no case to answer concerning the defender’s pre-arranged 26th-minute substitution in his final game against Sunderland, Mew believes Shaw – who lost his job at Sutton United as a result of ‘pie-gate’ – has been harshly dealt with.

He also finds it a bit rich considering the FA previously had sponsorship deals with betting companies such as Ladbrokes.

Indeed, in June this year it was confirmed football’s governing body would cease all commercial agreements with gambling firms after being criticised for punishing players for betting violations while having such deals in place.

“It’s all a bit of a farce,” said Mew. “It seems to be one rule for one and one rule for another.

“I’ve known Wayne since back in the Eastleigh days and he’d do anything for anyone. He’s a big softie really.

“Even after being banned, he’s already talking about getting involved in a charity event (The Ridge Runner 10K Cross-Country Obstacle Course on September 30). That’s the sort of guy he is.”

Totton, currently tenth in the Evo-Stik South West, are at home to second-to-bottom Yate Town on Saturday.

They lose defender Callum Chugg to suspension but have welcomed in 17-year-old, 6ft 2in centre-back Jack Barker on a dual registration with Aldershot Town.