An investigation has been launched by Norwich City Football Club amid claims one of its players has been banned from entering every pub in his home town.

Tracey Gray

An investigation has been launched by Norwich City Football Club amid claims one of its players has been banned from entering every pub in his home town.

It is understood that teenage striker Chris Martin has been barred from pubs in Beccles for the next 12 months due to allegations surrounding his behaviour.

Although just one pub is thought to have actually banned the youngster, the terms of the town's pub watch scheme means he will also not be allowed to enter any others in the Suffolk town.

The club today refused to comment on the allegations. However, an investigation into the matter is understood to be underway.

The news will be a further blow to the Carrow Road club as it follows hot on the heels of a drink drive scandal involving 21-year-old City star Matty Pattison.

Martin, who grew up in Beccles, burst on to the scene towards the end of the 2006/07 season scoring five goals in just 20 games.

He also scored on debut for the England under-19s, when he came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 victory against Turkey in March 2007.

However, he has found it much harder this season and has only started two games since Glenn Roeder took over as Norwich manager.

Landlords in Beccles were today tight-lipped over the news. However one, who did not want to be named, said: “When a person is banned from the pubs under the pub watch scheme, a picture and description of the person is circulated around the pubs in the scheme, with the ban in place for up to 12 months.”

A spokesman for Suffolk police said they could not comment on individual people who had been banned under the scheme.

Earlier this year, Pattison was banned from driving for 20 months after admitting driving whilst twice over the legal limit.

The court heard how the South African-born midfielder, who was residing at Dunston Hall on the A140, had been to Mercy Nightclub following his side's two-nil defeat away to Sheffield United.

But the next morning he got up to drive his Jeep Cherokee to the training ground at 8.30am but was arrested after police were notified by a worried member of reception staff at the hotel.

At the time former Norwich City player Ian Henderson, who remains friends with many of the current squad, dispelled fears of a drinking culture amongst players at Carrow Road.

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