PROP John 'JT' Tuimaualuga has been booted out by Workington Town after the Samoan-born forward failed to "maintain standards expected by the club."
Fans' favourite Tuimaualuga, 29, had been returning to the fitness level that saw him hit peak form in 2005 when he won the National League Two player-of-the-year award.
But News & Star Sport understands that recent developments left the board with no choice but to send him home, ruling him out of their 2007 campaign.
A Workington Town spokesman said: "We demand that certain standards are met by our players and those standards weren't being met by JT.
?We had a meeting three months ago with John to mutually agree the standards required by the club after what was a disappointing season for him.
?And although JT was heading back to full fitness, there were areas of his behaviour that were absolutely not acceptable.
"Therefore, after a board meeting yesterday morning, we have taken the decision not to offer JT a new contract and he will be returning home this week.?
Town refused to specify what the behaviour involved. But last season, JT had been axed from Town?s squad towards the end of the campaign when his fitness failed come up to scratch.
"We, as a club, expect certain standards to be met by our players. It doesn't matter Turn to page 47
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which player is in question, there are some things we will not tolerate," the club spokesman added.
Tuimaualuga had been expecting to have to return home at the beginning of last season after his working holiday visa expired but the Town committee obtained a work permit due to his work in the community. He had been a crucial figure for Town on the field and off it as he has also been a key worker in community projects, as well as playing a strong part in promoting the Rugby League's anti-racism message, particularly in local schools.
