ATHERTON Cricket Club have sacked professional Greg Dimery.

The Australian, who was the Association's professional of the year last season, has had his contract terminated after a number disciplinary problems.

These came to a head on Monday in the Cross Cup tie with Spring View when he was reported by the umpires for verbally abusing them.

Atherton chairman John Charlson said: "It has been the accumulation of incidents that has brought matters to a head.

"He has been warned by us, both verbally and written, for verbal abuse and dissent, particularly against umpires, and the matter was discussed at an emergency meeting of the committee when the decision to terminate his contract was taken.

"It has not been a decision we have taken lightly . We feel we have given him every chance but he has not taken it.

"It's a pity because he's such a good player but we can't tolerate what has been going on, " he said

Two weeks ago Dimery was reported for abuse in the Lancashire Knockout match against Adlington, that decision being taken by an umpire from outside the Association.

At the start of the present campaign the Association made a commitment to try and eradicate bad behaviour against umpires and Atherton are the first to take such action.

Mr Charlson, who is also chairman of the Association, said: "Every club pledged at the start of the season to act if match officials came under any kind of pressure from players and we are simply following that line."

Dimery, in his second season at Atherton, is an outstanding and talented professional. He has played at a number of local clubs and last season finished top of the professionals' batting averages after hitting 1256 runs while finishing third in the bowling with 87 wickets.

The Association committee will decide in the near future if Atherton can have a replacemernt professional.