WITTON Albion defender Anthony Gardner has been suspended by the club for his part in an incident following last Saturday’s home win against Ramsbottom United.

The full back, who turned 24 on Thursday, has been disciplined and stripped of the captaincy.

His name is now also on the transfer list.

“As a result of what happened, the player has received the maximum sanction possible,” read a statement released by the club on Friday night.

The Guardian understands that includes a fine of two weeks’ wages.

Gardner, appointed as skipper by manager Tony Sullivan following his appointment in October, will not feature in tomorrow’s Evo-Stik Northern Premier League encounter with Trafford.

John Shaw will wear the armband instead.

Gardner met Mark Harris on Friday afternoon, when the Albion chairman told him he would be punished.

He signed for Witton early in January 2011 from Cammell Laird, where he had played under Sullivan.

He has since made 196 appearances, most of them starts.

When contacted, Albion said they would make no further comment.

They will kick off tomorrow’s Premier Division fixture in the relegation zone, three points from a position of safety.