Freddie Burns lambasts rugby club that is still supporting his online abuser

Freddie Burns has lambasted Oldfield RFC for seemingly continuing to support former London and Country director Patrick Bunton.

In a tweet on Thursday, Burns angrily pointed out that Bunton was still assigned on the website as Treasurer and Trustee of the Bath-based rugby club. Burns was clearly upset by the fact that the club still had the Bunton on the books. The Bath fly-half said:

What a shambles. What does this club stand for when quite clearly money means more to those involved with it than morals! I for one hope no one sees their mother shoulder the abuse mine had to at the hands of Patrick Bunton.

In February, Burns says that he was targeted by an anonymous social media account in a spate of ‘online bullying’. After a series of difficult games for the 27-year-old, the Bath star found that an account under the alias of @havingalaugh3 was sending particularly abusive tweets. These insults ranged from, “the coaches don’t trust him” to “hair dyed show pony”. The tweets described a performance from Burns as “rudderless”, as well as claiming that he gloated about earnings. 

Burns managed to work out that Mr Bunton was behind these accounts after Burns’ brother Samuel linked the abusive Twitter account to Mr Bunton. He managed to file a formal complaint with his employer. Bunton had resigned from his job as company director at Bath-based mortgage firm London & Country and stepped down as chairman of local club Oldfield Old Boys RFC.

This tweet from Burns could either mean that the former Oldfield man is still involved with the club, or it could possibly mean that website has not been updated.

What a shambles. What does this club stand for when quite clearly money means more to those involved with it than morals! I for one hope no one sees their mother shoulder the abuse mine had to at the hands of Patrick Bunton @oldfield_rfc #StandUpToBullying pic.twitter.com/wvRlFmniBU

— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) July 25, 2018

In one of Burns’ photos, it appears that Oldfield RFC had blocked the England international from viewing their account. This seemingly supports the claim that the club has taken Bunton back on. Many were quick to support Burns. Simon Cohen claimed that Oldfield were, “bringing the game into disrepute”. Others, however, took on a more humorous tone with former England and Bath star Olly Barkley saying, “Keep the dirty laundry in the utility room brother”.

Since the accusations came to light, the @havingalaugh3 Twitter account had been deleted and his profile had been taken down from Oldfield Old Boys RFC’s website.

Keep the dirty laundry in the utility room brother.

— Avalanche 🔺 (@ollybarkley) July 26, 2018

As of yet, Oldfield RFC have not released any statement relating to the tweets or Mr Bunton’s status at the club.