Bashley have been ordered to pay up the rest of sacked player-coach Andy Darnton's contract by a court of law.

Having reclaimed some of the money when an FA ruling went in his favour, the 36-year-old defender vowed to fight for the rest by pursuing a private court case for unfair dismissal and loss of earnings.

That, too, went Darnton's way in a small claims court in Southampton this week, leaving Bash to cough up the full amount under the terms of Darnton's contract.

The saga stretches back to October last year when Darnton was sacked, along with player-manager Dave Wakefield, just a matter of weeks after their summer appointment.

Darnton maintained he had a year's playing contract.

And after much to-ing and fro-ing with the top brass at Soho Square, Bashley were found guilty of breaching the FA rule that states: 'All players under written contract must be registered with the Association.'

They were fined £100, ordered to pay Darnton compensation and warned as to their future conduct.

Darnton's fight for justice has cost him virtually an entire season's football because he has been unable to sign for another club, but he feels the sacrifice was worth it.

"I'm chuffed to nuts," he said. "I took my case to court and they agreed I had a valid contract and ordered Bashley to pay up what was owed to me.

"It's a shame I had to go down these lines and that it's taken so long, but it was a point of principle.

"I signed a contract in good faith which was witnessed by club officials.

"Bashley said it wasn't authorised, but this proves it was."

An official statement from the Ryman 1 club said: "Bashley Football Club's executive c committee has seldom been drawn into commenting on former player Andrew Darnton's action against this club for unfair dismissal and loss of earnings.

"However, regardless of the outcome of any FA hearing and legal action, it is and always will be the view of every club member that they would never change their stance, being in full knowledge of all the facts and background relating to this unsavoury series of events.

"The matter has now been finalised, allowing the club to continue its sound progress on and off the field, which has been clear for all to see following the unfortunate start to last season."

As a former skipper and a veteran of some 170 games for Bashley, Darnton believes the club have been their own worst enemy.

"I don't think Bashley conducted themselves very well in the first instance when they sacked me, but this could have been settled long ago if they had been amicable," he said.

"But I stuck by my guns, I honoured my contract and still made myself available for games. I stayed professional at all times.

"I can understand why players give up and walk away in situations like this.

"It's not a quick process by any stretch of the imagination."

Darnton now intends to get himself fit and resume his playing career next season.