ACCRINGTON Stanley's chairman said he is ‘shocked and saddened’ after a former player was jailed for possessing Class A drugs and counterfeit money at Glastonbury.

Patrick Lacey, better known as Paddy Lacey, was jailed for 16 months when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court.

The court heard the 24-year-old, of Manor Avenue, Crosby, was found with around 20 grams of cocaine, nearly 17 grams of MDMA, and £520 worth of fake £20 notes.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a controlled substance, and passing as genuine an item which he knew to be a counterfeit.

Andy Holt, chairman of Accrington Stanley, told the Lancashire Telegraph the player had a promising future when he signed for the club last summer.

He said:” It was a real shock to us, it’s such a shame.

“Kids make mistakes and they have to pay the price for them.

“I know his parents are devastated.

“It’s a sad situation for him.

“He was a decent lad and he had a bright future ahead of him, he was a great player, he was strong, he was physical.”

In May the midfielder was sacked by Stanley after he was suspended by the Football Association for 14 months after admitting a breach of anti-doping regulations.

That was after he tested positive for a prohibited substance following the game at Hartlepool United in November 2016. Lacey come on as a 69th minute substitute at The Victoria Ground in a game Stanley lost 2-0.

He played the next three games for the club before they were told of the positive test and he was suspended by Stanley chiefs.

Lacey signed for Stanley last summer and made 12 starts in all competitions, with a further five appearances off the bench. His only goal came in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth at the Wham Stadium in September.

He won the Sky Bet EFL League Two Goal of the Month award for the 25 yard strike.

Following his dismissal Accrington Stanley said in a statement: “He was immediately suspended by the club pending the outcome of the disciplinary action taken by the FA.

“Upon the completion of those proceedings this week, the club took immediate action and terminated the contract of the player.

“Accrington Stanley has strong values on anyone taking any prohibited substances and will always act in the strongest possible way to protect the integrity of the football club.”