Saints boss Nigel Adkins yesterday stood up in court to back his striker Lee Barnard who is facing an allegation that he glassed a former boxer.

On the third day of Barnard’s trial the Southampton Football Club manager appeared in the witness box at Salisbury Crown Court.

And he told jurors that the £175,000 player is “a really good person.”

Mr Adkins, told jurors how he has managed the side since September 2010, and Barnard – like all the other players has been a role model, polite and nice to all the supporters. He said: “I found him very hard working, very honest, a good professional. He is always on time. He works to the standards being asked of him. He is very polite and I have not really heard him swear at all.

“In the 18 months I have known him he has been a really good person.”

Saints chairman Nicola Cortese sent in a written character reference on behalf of the footballer which was read out to the court.

It described how Barnard was often involved in community events at the club and he had extended Barnard’s contract for another three years.

The statement added that Barnard was a hard working, honest professional who has the utmost respect for others.

It ended: “I have every faith in his integrity.”

The reference came after Barnard spent more than an hour in the witness box giving evidence about the incident at the White House, Southampton.

He claims he has no memory of how he suffered deep cuts to the inside of his hand.

He admitted words were exchanged after he claims victim Michael Matthewsian yanked a bottle Barnard was carrying in his mouth back from the bar.

Then Mr Matthewsian’s group came over and Barnard suddenly fell unconscious but does not remember how, the court heard.

Cross-examining Charles Cochand, told the player: “You went back to these men even though they were almost an inch taller, you made the decision you could level the playing field using the glass in your hand. That is how angry you were. You wanted instant revenge.”

Barnard said: “I am not going to start a fight over spilt beer.”

He insisted: “I am not violent, I am not aggressive, I am not confrontational.”

Mr Cochand, added: “It was fight or flight wasn’t it, you could either leave, or fight. That is why you struck first as you swung with the glass it was much too fast for Michael Matthewsian – light and fast just like a striker and you had to strike first because you had to equalise didn’t you? You smashed the glass very very hard into his face, hard enough for the glass to break.”

Barnard denies one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Proceeding.