AFC Fylde won the FA Vase final 2-1 against Lowestoft Town

AFC Fylde midfielder Ged Smith has been suspended for five months by the Vodkat League club after traces of cannabis were found in his system.

The 25-year-old was among two players who were randomly tested following the FA Vase final in May.

"It's very important we put a message out about our position on drugs," club president David Haythornthwaite told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Goalscorer Matt Walwyn's sample was completely clear.

The Football Association are conducting their own enquiry and the player has already had a lengthy meeting with FA officers at Lilleshall.

We want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate it David Haythornthwaite

The executive committee of AFC Fylde held their own meeting to discuss the situation, and Haythornthwaite outlined the club's decision.

"It was a unanimous decision from everybody who runs the club.

"We decided to suspend Ged Smith from playing football for the club until 1 January, 2009. By that time we will review his position.

"The FA will come back to us with their findings and they may recommend a longer ban," the president continued.

"But we're very keen to work with them on rehabilitation and putting him through some programmes to help him with this problem which we're very supportive of.

"We don't want to cast anybody back on the slagheap of life and in any way we can help Ged with this we want to. But we want to send a clear message not only to past players, but also to existing and future players that we will not tolerate it."

And Haythornwaite revealed he has spoken personally to the player.

"We spoke to Ged and as you can imagine is very upset and very remorseful.

"He has offered to walk away from the club but we've persuaded him not to do that. We said if you can clean yourself up and take care of yourself then we want to work with you."

We just have to make sure we can't afford to have anything like this happen to us again David Haythornwaite

AFC Fylde, formerly known as Kirkham & Wesham, beat Lowestoft Town 2-1 in the FA Vase final in May.

And Haythornthwaite admitted the results of the drugs test have affected the spirits slightly of the Warton-based club.

"It has tarnished it a little bit but hopefully people will see that we've taken the right action.

"When you're running an amateur club it's very difficult to police what people do in their social life. What you do behind closed doors should remain private.

"But if you cross that line you know the consequences. We just have to make sure we can't afford to have anything like this happen to us again."

The full club statement reads: "Following Ged Smith's recent drug test we have decided to suspend him for five months until 1 January, 2009 pending the final results of the FA's enquiry, at which time we will review the situation.

"For the avoidance of doubt the club have adopted a policy of zero tolerance with regard to banned substances, and in future any player who is found violating this rule will have their registration with the club terminated."