A DAD has successfully sued an amateur football club - because his son was subbed off during an under-10s match.

The parent complained to the Football Association (FA) after his 10-year-old was swapped for another player by the manager midway through a fixture for Winnersh Rangers FC.

The club say the complaint was dismissed by the FA.

But the furious dad is said to have claimed the substitution amounted to emotional abuse and racism - and he then took the club to court.

The father has now successfully won a payout of more than £3,000.

The club, based in Wokingham, has paid the cash following the court case last month.

Bosses there say they are baffled by the decision - and are trying to have it overturned.

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Phil Chick, Winnersh Rangers FC club secretary, said the club had no idea they had been sued until they had already lost the case.

Speaking on BBC South, he said: "I don't believe it was a vendetta against the club, just a passionate parent thinking he was doing the right thing, but losing sight that we are here for the children.

"The first we heard about it was when we discovered a letter that had been delivered to our home ground where we have no letter box, in mid-March.

"A hearing had already taken place three days earlier and we had lost the case because we didn't appear."

Winnersh Rangers FC - a not-for-profit football club funded by volunteers - runs several teams from u7s to a senior mens' team.

It is understood the parent initially complained to Wokingham Borough Council after his son was taken off while playing for Winnersh Ranger FC's u10s team.

He claimed the substitution was "emotional abuse" and his son had suffered racism, it is understood.

Two separate investigations - including one by Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FA - cleared the club of being in the wrong, the club said.

But the parent took the club to court seeking damages.

The club failed to argue the case in the civil claims court - because they had no idea a hearing was taking place, they claim.

They claim a letter giving staff notice was delivered to their home ground - which doesn't have a post box, and the court ruled in favour of the parent.

He won more than £3,000, cash which has already been taken from the club's account.

Mr Chick said the young player no longer plays for the club.

He said it will take volunteers around 18 months to raise the money again.

It is used for equipment, football nets and to pay for teams to enter leagues and cup competitions.

Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FA added: "We are aware that the club are due to be speaking with the court about this next month and so, until the situation is resolved we will not be making any comment."