Matthew Calland, 37, admitted assaulting Slawomir Sejda in Jumpin' Jaks, Ward's End, Halifax.

Calderdale magistrates heard Calland, of Newall Road, Littleborough, was also accused of failing to provide a drug sample to test for class A drug. The charge was withdrawn during the hearing on Friday.

The club knew nothing of the charges until the Courier spoke to them yesterday.

Director Mike Riley said Calland had now explained the events leading up to the incident to club bosses.

But he said: "It is against the club's code of conduct and we shall be dealing with the matter internally.

"Halifax RLFC is disappointed that Matt Calland was in a situation which led to his conviction in the Calderdale Magistrates Court recently. It is out of character for Matt and he is disappointed that it happened."

The court was told Calland, who has been at the club since 2006 when he joined as assistant coach, and a friend, were talking to Sejda before he punched him in the face on September 6.

Prosecutor Andy Wills said Sejda fell to the floor and was left with a cut to his face and a swollen, bruised nose. Calland and his friend were thrown out of the club.

Graham Goldsborough, for Calland, said that day he had been told a close friend had terminal cancer.

Calland, who played at Featherstone Rovers, Bradford Bulls and Rochdale Hornets and has been capped by England, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £100 compensation with £60 prosecution costs.

Magistrates were also told he had three previous convictions, the most recent in 2001.

In July 2001 he was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay costs and compensation for assault.