CARL JENKINSON had a full debut to forget as he was sent off after just 24 minutes for League Two minnows Bromley.
The former Arsenal star, 32, completed a stunning transfer to the South London club in late September.
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Having been out of the game since leaving A-League side Newcastle Jets in June, Jenkinson took some time to build up his fitness.
He was handed his first Bromley minutes in the 1-0 win at Doncaster, coming off the bench in the 78th minute before being shown a yellow card two minutes later.
This was followed up by him playing 15 minutes at Hayes Lane during the 1-1 with Barrow.
But today, manager Andy Woodman handed Jenkinson his first start in a Ravens’ shirt.
However, it soon turned into a nightmare as he was sent off for two yellow card cautions from referee Scott Oldham picked up in the 12th and 24th minute.
Jenkinson’s first booking arrived for a foul against Ethon Archer, before he fouled George Miller for his second bookable offence.
It was the fifth time he has been sent off in his playing career, and his first since April 2023
Cheltenham took advantage of the extra player by scoring in the 51st minute through Archer.
Fortunately for Jenkinson, Omar Sowunmi rescued a point with his 81st minute header.
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They survived a 97th minute scare as Matty Taylor hit the post from a corner, but ultimately the points were shared.
Reacting to the sending off on social media, one fan said: “I’ve just watched Carl Jenkinson get sent off for the dumbest second yellow I’ve ever seen.”
A second said: “Thoughts of @TheAdrianDurham as Carl jenkinson is sent off after 20 minutes for @bromleyfc.”
Another said: “I thought @premierleague officiating was bad but turns out the lower leagues are even worse.
“Carl Jenkinson sent off for two fouls. Soft fouls at best. Neither bookable offences and yet the referee decided to make a name for himself.”
A fourth added: “In case anyone was wondering what Carl Jenkinson was up to these.”
The one-cap England international made his name after signing for Arsenal from Charlton in 2011 before an impressive 2012/13 season for the Gunners.
He would go on to star for West Ham, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest with almost 100 appearances in the Premier League before departing for football Down Under.
Speaking to club media following his signing, Jenkinson said: “How’s it feel? It’s good, I’m glad it is sorted out now with all the international clearance stuff which was dragging on a bit…
“I know Woody from when I was a kid coming through at Charlton… it’s one of them that when you know someone – he was always so easy to get along with even as a young lad…
“That led to me reaching out to Woody a couple of weeks ago and saying can I come in and train because I wanted to be fit and maintain my fitness.
“We have that relationship where I can ask that question, so it was nice that he said yeah and then that it’s led to this.”
Bromley are experiencing their first-ever season in the English Football League after winning promotion via the National League play-offs last season.
After a strong start to the season where they won their first two games, they won none of their next nine games.
That was until beating Doncaster towards the end of October, with that result being followed up with consecutive draws.
Bromley also secured their place in the FA Cup second round for the first time since 1946 after beating Rochdale in a 4-3 thriller away from home, in which they also had a player sent off.
