A FOOTBALLER who had about £1,500 worth of cocaine which he was going to share with mates at a party has been spared jail.

Matt Bennett had the drugs, along with £1,420 in cash stored on the top of the fridge at his family home.

And when police raided the address he told them their arrival was just the kick up the backside he needed.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police went his home on Thursday August 6 last year with a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

"During the course of that execution the said 'This is what I need, a kick up the a***'," she said.

On top of the fridge in the kitchen officers found a basket which had an envelope containing £1,420 in cash and a lump of white powder.

When it was analysed she said it was found to be 14.1 grams of cocaine at a particularly high purity of 79 percent, seven times the normal strength.

Miss Marlow said: "He accepted that he had bought those drugs for a number, and on behalf of a number, of friends and that this was not for financial gain.

"He was in fact buying the drugs on behalf of a number of friends and he would then distribute them."

Bennett, of Wilmott Close, The Prinnells, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a small amount of cannabis.

Cocaine at such a high purity retails on the street at about £100 for just under a gram.

Mike Pulsford, defending, handed in a series of references, including one from a former magistrate, all saying how surprised they were to hear he was before the court.

"He is only before the court really because over the years he has been dabbling in drugs. He was arrested and his comment speaks volumes," he said.

He said that his client was role model to younger footballers, as a letter from the club he plays for states, and his partner is not impressed by what happened.

Mr Pulsford said his client worked hard as a scaffolder and his partner works at weekends.

He said he had bought the drugs, which he used once a month in a group setting, for £600 and they were to be taken at a party.

"I am told his house was closest to that party so he was the one who kept the drugs. There was no evidence of dealing on the phone or dealer lists or anything like that."

Passing sentence Recorder Stephen Hall said "Matt Bennett, you have got yourself in to real difficulties and I know you understand that.

"You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, you immediately conceded that you were guilty to the police when arrested.

"By purchasing these drugs and storing them and passing them to others you encourage the drugs trade, and the drugs trade in hard drugs gives rise to degradation and further crime. That is the criminality in what you had undertaken.

"Had you been housing these drugs for commercial distribution you would have gone to prison for a significant period of time."

He imposed an eight month jail term suspended for a year with 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

Bennett has played for Shrivenham, Highworth Town and Wootton Bassett Town.