GARY GREEN will start next season with a huge suspension for Winchester City - but it could have been worse.

Although the FA Vase-winning midfielder faces two 35-day bans for his sendings off at Bideford and AFC Newbury, he has successfully appealed against a further 112 days for allegedly threatening the referee when he was booked at Andover.

Boss Neil Hards said:

"Gary also appealed against his sending-off at Newbury, but he didn't get off that one which is disappointing because it was a genuine case of self defence."

At 40, Green was threatening to hang up his boots in any case, but Hards is not convinced the co-assistant manager has played his last game for City.

The retired goalkeeper said: "I've been telling Greener all along how hard it is to give up playing and he's looked at the way he finished last season and wondered if he's retiring too soon. He'll definitely appear in a few games next season."