JORDAN RECEIVES OUR FULL SUPPORT

Seagulls back Bastin after betting ban

- Andy Mitchell

WESTON-super-Mare boss Scott Bartlett is backing Jordan Bastin to learn from his brush with betting regulations and admits it has been an education for him too.

Bastin, 24, admitted charges over 1,705 bets on football across three-and-ahalf years that covered spells with the Seagulls and boyhood club Tiverton Town.

He was handed a fourmonth ban two to kick in immediately with another two suspended until the end of the forthcoming season - meaning he will miss a pre-season training camp in Portugal before returning to action from July 9. He was also fined £800.

It is hardly the kind of news that makes a manager's heart sing but having gone through every step with his "really sensible and loveable" wideman, Bartlett believes they are both better equipped for the future.

"As a club we have helped him massively and I am glad to say he is in a really good place," he told The NLP.

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