Premier League: West Ham order James Tomkins to carry out extra community work
Friday 3 October 2014 14:06, UK
West Ham have ordered defender James Tomkins to carry out extra community work after he was found guilty of assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly outside a nightclub in December.
Tomkins pleaded guilty to both offences on Monday and was fined £3,500 by magistrates but West Ham have opted not to punish the player with a fine of their own.
The 25-year-old, who came through the club's youth ranks, will instead carry out extra community work, including coaching young and disabled footballers in the local area.
"Getting him out in the community - particularly when he's a West Ham boy - is a much better punishment than fining him," Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said.
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"The bottom line is he shouldn't have got himself into that situation or that position, he should show more responsibility.
"I don't take kindly to a lack of discipline off the field at all - I think it's irresponsible, I think it's unacceptable, I think a player represents himself but he represents the club as well and in this case James should hold himself in a better esteem in the public eye than he did.
"Whether he had a drink or two makes no difference - they have to have as much self discipline when they're away from the club as they do when they're training every day."
Tomkins has started his side's last five Barclays Premier League matches and will be included in the squad on Sunday when West Ham host QPR.
