ANTHONY Gardner has likely played his final game for Witton Albion after failing to respond to attempts to contact him.

The defender was disciplined last month as a punishment for his part in an incident that took place in the social club at Wincham Park following a league game against Ramsbottom.   

He has not played since.

A two-week suspension imposed by the club ended last weekend but the 24-year-old, who has also been transfer listed, has not replied to phone calls and text messages inviting him to discuss what will happen next.

“It’s very disappointing,” said Albion chairman Mark Harris.

“As far as we’re concerned, Anthony has made himself unavailable for selection.”

Gardner, who left Cammell Laird to sign for Witton early in 2011, has been stood down from the captaincy – a role he was invited to fulfil by Tony Sullivan after the manager replaced Anthony Sheehan in the dugout in October.

The full back is alleged to have threatened violence towards the Albion boss in front of some of his teammates.

Albion say he has not apologised.

Sullivan, talking to the Guardian following Saturday’s victory against Skelmersdale, said his priority now is to focus on the future.

He said: “I’ve done my utmost to resolve the situation from the moment it happened.

“But there is no dialogue between me and the player because he’s refusing to have any.

“This isn’t about personal pride – I can prove I’ve tried repeatedly to start a conversation.

“I’ve called, he’s not answered. I’ve texted, and he’s not replied.”

Nobody outside the club knew an altercation had taken place before a post written by an anonymous author appeared the following day on an internet message board used by supporters.

Sullivan said: “It was leaked into the public domain, which made it more difficult to deal with. Before that, it had been kept in-house.

“I’ve wanted to protect the club’s reputation, and would never put myself first.

“If I thought I’d made a mistake, then I’d resign.

“Instead we’re talking about a player who has chosen not to be here.

“I asked him to be captain, and he accepted.

“Anthony started every single match he’s been available for since I came here, and never once been substituted.”

Albion sought legal advice from the Football Association, as well as from their own solicitor, before deciding how to sanction their skipper.

He was fined two weeks’ wages, had his name added to the transfer list and stripped of the captaincy.

Harris added: “It’s important to remember Anthony came here from Cammell Laird.

“Witton Albion have provided for him a stage on which to perform and improve, to become a player who stands a chance of playing at a higher level.”

Gardner has made 196 appearances for the Northern Premier League outfit, most of them starts.