A NON-LEAGUE football club from Barnsley which was criticised for signing a convicted domestic abuser has announced his departure.

Reece Thompson, who was jailed after beating a woman with an iron bar during an attack which occurred in September 2018, played one match for Wombwell Town.

His appearance in the 5-0 Sheffield County Senior League First Division home win over South Elmsall United Services on October 17 led to a string of criticism.

And Stephanie Peacock, the Barnsley East MP whose constituency includes Wombwell, urged the club to reconsider the signing of the 26-year-old forward, who once played in the Football League for York City.

The Sheffield County Senior League First Division is eight levels below the Football League.

A statement issued by the club on Tuesday evening read: “At no point has Wombwell Town Football Club condoned the previous actions of Reece Thompson.

“However, we as a club strongly believe in providing people with a second chance and an opportunity to move forward with their lives.

“Unfortunately, due to a range of circumstances and pressure from social media, Reece will no longer be playing for the club.

“We will continue to work, both on and off the field, with all groups in our community to make a positive impact on our local area, as the cub was originally established to do.”

Wombwell Town’s decision to part company with Thompson comes a little over a month after another Yorkshire non-league club, Selby Town, backtracked on a decision to sign him in the wake of negative public reaction.

Thompson was jailed for 40 months and handed a ten-year restraining order in April 2019 after subjecting his then-girlfriend to a horrifying ordeal which left her physically damaged, with injuries including a broken jaw, and psychologically traumatised.

He beat Danielle Thomas with an iron bar, twice smashed mirrors over her head and forced her to lick paint off a floor.

Thompson, who pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damaging property, was released from prison early on licence for the attack.