Walton Town have been expelled from the Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League.

The coastal side, who had been in the premier division, were thrown out due to their appalling' disciplinary record and for bringing the competition into disrepute.

Three of their games have been abandoned this season after violence erupted and a fourth would have been called off, were it not for the intervention of a league management committee member.

A special meeting was called at Stanway Rovers' Hawthorns ground to discuss the problem and Walton were expelled with immediate effect.

They will not be allowed to seek readmission for five years and all results involving them this season will be expunged from records.

Border League chairman Brian Tatum, who revealed that 42 of the 46 votes cast at the meeting were against Walton, told the Gazette: "Such deplorable, appalling behaviour can't be allowed to continue.

"In just over a season and a half, they've had nine players banned for violent conduct - one for 112 days and another for three different periods of time.

"That's how severe the situation was and the league has acted very quickly and positively to stamp it out."