I’m still in charge at Racing Club - Knight

A statement released from the club last Friday and then hastily withdrawn said Knight had been sacked alongside midfielder Luke Fuller following a breach of club discipline in the 6-0 defeat at Castle Vale.

The two are believed to have come to blows in the dressing room following Fuller’s early substitution, with the altercation spilling out into the corridors of Vale Stadium.

Both Fuller and Knight were absent from Saturday’s 4-1 Midland Combination Premier win at Bartley Green in which Danny Charlton and Ricardo Richards netted braces, but Knight was back at Townsend Meadow on Tuesday night for the 1-0 defeat by Pelsall.

However, despite entering the dressing room before the game to apologise to the players for his actions and also at half-time, he was absent from the dugout, with assistant Andy Thornitt taking charge.

It further fuelled speculation that Racing Club were in the market for a replacement for the former Redditch and Evesham defender, but Knight says it is business as usual.

“Until told otherwise I am manager of this football club,” said Knight, who has led Racers to three cup finals in his first full season in charge.

“I’m looking forward to focusing on the games we have remaining and winning the two cup finals.”

Racing Club vice-chairman Andy Cowlard confirmed Knight had been suspended pending a review of the incident which was due to take place last night (Thursday), though he said Knight would definitely be in charge for next Friday’s Coventry Charity Cup final clash with Christ the King at the Ricoh Arena.

“He is suspended until a meeting is held to decide his punishment, but he will lead the team out at the Ricoh,” said Cowlard.

With Knight scouting their cup final opponents, Thornitt is expected to take charge of first-team affairs again tomorrow when Racing Club entertain Bolehall Swifts (3pm).

Tuesday’s trip to Coventry Copsewood is expected to be handed over to the reserve and fringe players, with Knight taking a first team training session at Hampton Road.

A 69th-minute strike from Tom Drake condemned Racers to defeat in midweek, with the Pelsall midfielder acrobatically hooking the ball in off the bar after the hosts had failed to clear their lines from a free-kick.

Only seconds earlier, substitute Ricardo Richards had wasted Racing Club’s best chance, lifting his shot over from close range after being set up by Tyron Smith.