SAFC skipper Max Power banned from driving after losing hardship bid to keep licence

The midfielder claimed the hired hands would be needed to get him to training and other round-the-clock football and family commitments if disqualified – but at a £4,500 a month cost.

But Power’s plea of exceptional hardship to magistrates in South Tyneside was rejected – and he was banned from driving for six months.

They heard he had racked up four speeding convictions between July 24, 2018, and October 2 last year and faced losing his licence under the totting up process.

Power’s last offence was at 10.46am on the A690, south of Houghton Cut, when he was caught doing 59mph in the 50mph zone.

His solicitor, Peter Furness, said Power’s concern at missing work commitments if banned were such he had moved his family home from Durham to Sunderland – just a 15 minute drive from training.

Under oath, Power confirmed he would not lose his contract if his ban brought the League One club into disrepute.

And he admitted his two school-age children faced just a mile-long journey to the classroom – and that his wife did not work and could drive.

When quizzed by Andrew Castle, chair of the bench, about the distance from his home to the training ground near Cleadon, Power admitted: “I wouldn’t say it’s a walk, a cycle possibly.

“School is a mile. My hours are flexible, depending on the playing schedule, but generally, day-to-day, I would need to be in by 9.30am and training by 10.30am.

“If there was a midweek fixture or not, you would be away by 1pm, or 2pm latest. A normal day is 9.30am to 2pm.”

Asked if he would lose his contract, he said: “I find it unlikely.”

The Merseyside-born former Wigan Athletic player added: “A chauffeur would put strain on monthly-to-monthly and day-to-day living.

“We’re just unfortunate living away from home, we’ve not got a support network.”

But Mr Furness said chauffeur costs were pressing because Power faced having his wages slashed to £5,000 a month under a planned Covid review.

He said: “Mr Power is a professional footballer with Sunderland AFC, and that’s relevant for a number of reasons.

“The club would take a dim view if he couldn’t get to the training ground, which is still a drive from his home, five days a week.

“They would take a dim view if he couldn’t get to the ground for home matches or for away matches.

“He could take on a chauffeur. He’d have to take on two chauffeurs because nobody is going to work 24-hours a day.

“That would be £500 a week and if there were two, it would be £4,500 a month. I would suggest that’s an unacceptable expense.”

Rejecting Power’s bid, Mr Castle said: “Unfortunately, today we don’t find exceptional hardship. We don’t feel this has crossed the threshold.”

He said Power’s licence would be endorsed with three penalty points, leading to the ban under the 12 point totting process.

Power was also fined £220, which he must pay within 14 days, with £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

He declined to comment after the case.

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