Rushall boss Sneekes sorry for 'Holocaust' comment

Richard Sneekes has managed at Tamworth, Rushall and Sutton Coldfield since his retirement as a player in 2010

Richard Sneekes, manager of sixth-tier non-league club Rushall Olympic, has made a "sincere" apology for a comment made in a post-match interview.

The 56-year-old former Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County and Hull City player at one point described Saturday's 7-0 National League North defeat at Spennymoor Town as "like a holocaust".

Having been 1-0 down at half-time, from the 50th minute onwards, Rushall then let in six goals in 27 minutes.

The team had not previously let in more than four goals in a game in the season and a half since they got promoted to sixth-tier level.

"I can only apologise for my choice of words. No offence or harm was intended whatsoever," Dutch-born Sneekes said in a club statement.

"World War II is ingrained in the history of my country. My grandad was in a concentration camp and both of my parents were born at the height of the war, so I know what it means.

"It was a bad choice of phrase linking to a time in history which was beyond terror and I would like to reiterate my sincerest of apologies. I will consider my choice of words more carefully in the future."

Sneekes' club Rushall said his post-match interview had been "an otherwise very measured and honest assessment", adding: "As a club we received no direct complaints to the after-match comment.

"The only feedback we received, and not just from Rushall supporters, was how well and constructively the manager spoke so soon after a heavy defeat.

"Someone has deemed it necessary to raise this complaint to the local press and hence our statement on this matter.

"The club will be making no further comment."

After winning their three previous games before Saturday's defeat, their first victories since Sneekes took charge before Christmas, Rushall currently sit three points adrift of safety in 23rd place in National League North.