CLITHEROE reserve team boss Dave Burgess has hit out at Great Harwood manager Ian McGarry accusing him of 'inciting players' and 'appalling sportsmanship'.

But McGarry today dismissed the claims as sour grapes because his side had won 3-1.

Burgess has made the accusations in the wake of Monday night's stormy Lancashire ATS Challenge Trophy clash between the clubs at Shawbridge, claiming McGarry 'goaded' Clitheroe players using language of 'a foul and abusive nature'.

Burgess said: "I was totally dismayed and shocked at the behaviour of Mr McGarry and his assistant.

"Even before the Clitheroe players had changed into their kit he was making remarks to them directly of a derogatory nature and to other people making sure they were in ear shot.

"Then once the game began from his position in the dug-out Mr McGarry used language of a foul and abusive nature and goaded several Clitheroe players beyond the realms of sportsmanship.

"Through this they actually incited an incident where two players should have been sent off for a serious incident which could have ended up in a court case."

Burgess had been invited to sit in the dug-out area by Clitheroe boss Steve Parry in an effort to gain more experience of the non-League game at a higher level. He added: "I feel sure some of their comments were a light-hearted dig at the Clitheroe players and bench, but the majority of them were used to wind up players beyond the laws of sportmanship."

McGarry, however, has shrugged off the accusations, claiming it is a case of sour grapes following his side's 3-1 victory. "They started any bad sportsmanship because they turned all the lights off in our dressing room before the match so I couldn't give a proper team talk.

"They did it again after the game and I had to complain to the referee to get the lights switched back on.

"I've been to Clitheroe with various different teams at least 20 times and there has always been a bit of banter between us but I've always taken it and laughed it off.

"You always get a bit of repartee in local derbies, it is part and parcel of the game.

"Of course I used a bit of foul and abusive language but so did 22 players and half of the crowd as well.

"If you cannot take a bit of banter then you shouldn't be in the game.

"It sounds like sour grapes to me and that is probably why he is manager of the reserves and not the first team."

But Clitheroe boss Steve Parry, who once played for McGarry at Darwen, has backed Burgess's version of events and dismisses the 'sour grapes' claim.

"I couldn't believe some of the things I saw and heard.

"It has nothing to do with sour grapes because they won the game fair and square.

"But the insults they aimed at the club and individuals just weren't acceptable. "To be perfectly honest, I am very, very disappointed with Ian McGarry because I didn't think he was capable of saying things like that.

"We are trying to encourage people, including children, to come down and watch our games and we just don't need it."

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