JEMEL Fox has vowed to learn from his mistakes as he returns to competitive action after a 56-day ban.

The Ipswich-based 20-year-old, who plays for AFC Sudbury, was suspended for eight weeks after being sent off in a small-sided game.

Left-sided player Fox, who is the nephew of former Norwich City star Ruel Fox, was playing without the club’s knowledge in a six-a-side league in Ipswich when he was sent off after disputing the dismissal of another player.

He was suspended for 35 days from August 29 until October 2 for being sent off and received an additional 21-day ban from October 3 until last Sunday for refusing to give his name to the match official.

Fox said: “I am young and you learn from your mistakes – I am never going to do that again.”

The former Needham Market player, who has been at Sudbury for two-and-a-half years, added: “I am enjoying it at Sudbury, so to be banned for two months has been a learning curve for me.”

AFC Sudbury manager Chris Tracey said: “He has been out for a long time and the team has improved defensively, so he has now got to fight for his place. To his credit, he has kept himself involved with the club by helping coach youngsters while he has been banned.”

Hadleigh United manager Stuart Crawford has not only had to contend with an horrendous catalogue of injuries but also losing vice-captain Liam Jennings to a seven-match suspension after receiving two red cards and six yellow cards in the club’s opening 12 games of the season.

The 23-year-old tough-tackling midfielder was sent off for foul and abusive language towards one of the match officials in the FA Vase defeat to Stowmarket Town on September 10 and for serious foul play against Norwich United on September 17. Jennings, whose ban finished on Wednesday, is also set to receive a further ban in the near future.

Crawford said: “Sometimes a tough-tackling player can do something early on in a game, whether it is a bad tackle or a harsh decision, and they are not in favour with the referee. I think that sometimes happens with Liam, although he sometimes also does something rash.

“It is unfortunate it happened twice in three games, and you would not normally get that. Playing in central midfield, as Liam does, you will pick up more cards than anywhere else on the pitch,” he added.

Jairo Marin, Football Services Manager at Suffolk FA, said: “Generally speaking, we look to players who are high profile to set the right example and behave in a responsible manner, and clearly in these cases it is setting the wrong example.”

Marin also reminded clubs it was “very important” that they review the process of match-day suspensions, in order to avoid players playing while suspended. He reiterated that players who are sent off or receive five bookings will be banned from 21 days after the sending off or fifth booking, irrespective of whether they have heard from Suffolk FA.