A FORMER historian at Batley RLFC was branded a danger to the public as he was jailed indefinitely.
Matthew Price, 35, of Lansdowne Close, Batley, attacked a friend in a rage about losing his role at the club 12 years earlier.
Leeds Crown Court was told how the experience “festered” and played on his mind.
In February Price flipped and tried to strangle Andrew Watson then beat him with a stick.
He then armed himself with a carving knife with the intention of murdering his sister.
Price admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and damaging property.
He was jailed indefinitely this week after Judge Hoffman ruled he posed a significant risk of danger to the public.
The judge ordered Price to serve a minimum of six years before being considered for parole and added: “The only explanation possible is that you are an obsessive character prone to brooding and your dismissal as historian had been festering in your mind since 1998.”
The court heard how Price had been intensely proud of his role at the club. His interest was described as compulsive and obsessive. But he lost the job in 1998 after a conviction for misuse of a phone.
The court heard his sister then posted “regrettable” messages on a website, though no more detail was given.
Mr Michael Smith, prosecuting, said Price and Mr Watson had been good friends for 15 years and knew each other as fans of the club.
On February 21 Mr Watson turned down a meeting in a pub with Price, who then went round to his friend’s flat in the early hours, wrestled him to the floor and tried to strangle him.
Police were called to reports of a man being attacked in Chinewood Avenue, Batley. They later found Mr Watson injured in Bradford Road. Price was laughing during the attack and said to his friend: “You are the same as that lot up there!”
Mr Watson underwent life-saving surgery after a splinter of wood pierced his neck.
Price then went to his parents’ home with the knife, made threats against his sister and demanded to be let in.
He was arrested when his father called police.
Mr Anastasis Tasou, for Price, said his client could not explain why he carried out the attack “on a person with whom he had no quarrel.” He described Price as a caring, mild-mannered man who had led a blameless life.