A tesm from Clacton has been dubbed the cleanest in the country after going through the season without picking up a single booking.

Clacton Town A, who finished third in the KeConnect Internet Division Three, went 18 league games and another half dozen cup matches without incurring the wrath of a referee.

Clacton chairman Jeff Dewing said: "It was a target the team set themselves. They have been together a while and are quite experienced and not just in terms of age.

"They wanted to see if it could be done and set about every game with the right attitude and common sense. They used a bit of psychology on referees by showing straight away they did not want to commit any offences and extricated themselves from anything which could lead to a booking.

"It is a tremendous achievement and we are very proud of them."

An FA spokesman said: "We have 40,000 clubs under our jurisdiction and as far as I'm aware no other team has achieved that."

Pat Maudsley spokesman for the League said: "In the past we have had teams who have only had one or two bookings.

"But to go the whole season without a single card is quite an achievement. It is a credit to the lads themselves and their mentors and coaches who have instilled the right attitude.

"It makes a refreshing change and it is not as if they have just rolled over. They finished third and played a lot of good hard but fair football.

"It has never happened in our league before and I doubt if there is another team in the country who have managed it. It is a sharp contrast to some teams in the league."

Last week the management committee, made up of 61 club representatives, voted overwhelmingly to throw out Clarendon FC who had amassed 16 sendings off and 60 bookings during their past two seasons.

Clacton clean-up with a £250 award from the league who annually reward the best disciplined sides.

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