EAST Thurrock United attacker Lewis Smith has been handed a massive 17-month ban from football and handed a fine of almost £23,000 after he was found guilty of betting offences by the Football Association.

The news of Smith's guilt broke last Wednesday, with the player making the bets before he joined East Thurrock between April 7 2012 and April 23 2013, consequently breaching FA Rule E8.

The FA announced it was looking into 28 breaches of the rule (21 bets successfully placed and seven attempted bets) last December, and he has paid a heavy price.

Smith has been banned from all footballing activity until August 1 2017, coming into play with immediate effect, and has also been fined £22,865 and warned as to his future conduct.

The full written reasons will be published in due course.

A statement from Rocks boss John Coventry, released on Wednesday, can be seen in full below.

“Everyone at our football club knows it is against the FA rules to place a bet on football at any level.

“Lewis made us aware that he had been interviewed by the FA a couple of months ago, following this we checked that we were not breaking any rules by continuing to play Lewis. The FA response was that until such time that a player is found guilty he is free to carry on playing.

“Obviously this has been a big blow to Lewis and for us as a club. We currently sit top of the league and only time will tell how we deal with this situation. What I can say is that Lewis has been a major factor in our good form this season and he will be missed as a player and a person.