Oakham United manager Lea Jordan has resigned ahead of their Peterborough Senior Cup final clash
Devastated manager Lea Jordan has resigned from his role with Oakham United after being hit with a stadium ban just days before the biggest match of their season following a sending off nearly two months ago.
The Rutland side are due to face Warboys Town in the final of the Peterborough Senior Cup at Peterborough United's Weston Homes Stadium on Friday night.
Jordan had led his side to their first Senior Cup final under the guise of Oakham United and had also arranged for his son to be mascot on a proud night for the club.
However, he learned this week from the Leicestershire and Rutland FA that he had received a two-match stadium ban following his sending off after the Peterborough League Premier Division clash at Tydd on March 30.
Oakham have played 10 games since the sending off and he feels the outcome has left him with no option but to step away from the game.
He said: "It has left me feeling like I don't want to manage any more so I have decided to call it a day.
"I just don't see the point of trying to create magical moments for this to happen and I'm devastated about it. It hurts so much.
"It feels like a stab in the heart and is so unfair. It's wrong in so many ways because there has been two months to sort this out.
"It has hit me for six to the stage where I was thinking what is the point and why do I do this because it seems so unfair."
The suspension means Jordan will miss the cup final and also the first game of next season had he remained in management.
While Jordan accepts being at fault for his dismissal for foul and abusive language towards the match official after the 1-0 defeat, he has been left astounded by the wait to receive his suspension and the severity of being banned from the stadium.
Oakham's Jamie Stephens was sent off in their match against Sawtry on April 20 but has since served his three-match suspension and will be available for the final.
Jordan added: "I don't know why I have been banned from the ground for something like that.
"I don't understand it. I would have accepted a touchline ban because that would at least mean I could have been at the game.
"What hurts the most is that there's been 10 games to sort this out. I would have accepted it if it had happened two or three weeks ago because that would have been fair.
"I know that it's my fault for getting sent off but I don't think this justifies what I did.
"I think most managers would agree that this match is the highlight of their season so this feels like a real slap in the face.
"It is an achievement in itself to reach a final, win or lose, but I feel that I've been let down by the FA because I don't think what I did was bad enough for the ban which they have given me."
Jordan does have the option of an appeal but the suspension would remain in place until the hearing is held.
He now feels that something should be put in place to give more support to both players and managers.
Jordan continued: "I know it's not easy being a referee and I appreciate them but players and managers need looking after as well.
"It is true that there wouldn't be a game without a referee but that's the same if there were no managers to run the teams.
"There is no system to look after players and managers where I can justify or back myself up so how can you trust it.
"There are unions in the work-place for example but there is nothing there for managers or players to back their corner.
"I'm not saying that it's wrong to give me a two-game ban and I would have accepted it but could it not have been done sooner or for the first two games of next season."
Oakham will face one of Jordan's former clubs in the final as they aim to end their season on a high.
The Rutland side have produced their best performances in the Senior Cup this season after overcoming three of their Peterborough League Premier Division rivals to reach the final.
They started the cup campaign with a 4-1 home win over Whittlesey Reserves before beating Crowland Town 3-2 at Newton Fallowell Meadow.
An epic semi-final success over newly-crowned Premier Division champions Moulton Harrox secured their place in the final as they hit back to draw 4-4 before winning on penalties.
Jordan said: "It's been a really up and down season. It's been long and hard and we've probably had the toughest run of the games to reach the final.
"We have beaten Crowland and Moulton Harrox and, when you beat those sorts of sides, you deserve to be in the final.
"Good luck to the lads because I wish the club well. They are a fantastic club with big potential and I hope they can move up.
"I'm sure they will be up for the final as they have shown in training over the last few days.
"It is a chance for them to show everybody what they can actually do. We are a good side who can play football and they have proved it in the cup this year.
"If we had taken our cup performances into the league then we would have been in the top seven. I'm hoping they can win it for themselves and the club."
The match at the League One ground kicks-off at 7.15pm.
