Ferguson, watching from a hospitality booth, reportedly plied a crestfallen Angell with booze which, to cut a long story short, was chundered into a pot plant at a west London hotel where the legendary Neville Southall was hosting a testimonial dinner that night.
"Showing a turn of pace and nimble footwork which had eluded him earlier in the day, he wheeled and plunged through a nearby fire door. And never returned," wrote Prentice in March 2015.
From behind the apron of the Thirsty Whale-sponsored Bay franchise, it's no surprise to learn the team accepts the $1000 fine and four-match suspension of the same fallen Angell in a tumultuous game against Team Wellington last Sunday when the coach was sent off the park for swearing like a trooper and then continuing to communicate with his substitute players.
That referee Campbell-Kirk Waugh had threatened to abandon the game and award the hosts three points at David Farrington Park unless the 48-year-old toed the line is in itself damning, never mind footage and rants on social media from fans.
Vice-captain Cory Chettleburgh also copped a four-match ban, on the heels of a seven-match one collected for Wairarapa United but served well into the Stirling Sports Premiership in summer.
Chettleburgh was guilty of an altercation after the final whistle last Sunday - not a good look, either.
"We support NZF in the need to maintain professional behaviour at all times," franchise chairwoman Paula Walker said yesterday after a no-comment stance on Thursday on grounds of "not receiving the full report".
"The way Brett and Cory reacted during and after a high-pressure game is disappointing and not representative of the high standards of behaviour expected at HBU," said Walker, revealing they had erred and duly apologised to all parties concerned.
She takes umbrage at the timing of the verdict and the franchise's inability to view game footage during the response process.
"We will take up our concerns directly with NZF as we do not believe the media, traditional or social, is the appropriate avenue to raise them or seek resolution," said Walker, amid revelations from operations manager Shane McKenzie that technical faults on the recording equipment at the park meant they got to see only excerpts of Sky TV footage.
Angell's antagonism towards media is documented, having lost his rag last summer after dipping out to Team Wellington in the playoffs at Park Island as soon as the glare of the TV cameras were off him.
He is someone who feels scribes have no right to question coaches who, in his eyes, occupy an omnipotent role in the beautiful game.
Walker may question a trial by media, or in this case social media, but it is further evidence the great unwashed are just as discerning and know what they don't want their impressionable children to see.
Every cellphone-toting fan these days becomes a guardian of the game, something Angell needs to come to terms with.
Bay United can pore through spools of footage with a magnifying glass but their starting point is accepting they have an issue with boorish behaviour.
All the talent in the world comes to nought when protagonists lose sight of common decency, although it won't be surprising to hear pockets of parochialism in trying to justify churlish episodes as "passion".
"This will not dent our passion or commitment to proudly representing [Bay United] on and off the park," said Walker but it's debatable if any civil-minded person will tolerate that sort of carry on in their backyard.
Angell also has unwittingly invited unwarranted attention on fellow English coaches, albeit those who truly deserve to be in the country.
Assistant coach Jamie Dunning will now be acting coach for the fifth-placed Bay United, taking in tomorrow's round 13 kick off at 1pm in Palmerston North against Tasman United as well as the Auckland City game in Napier on February 5, Canterbury United in Christchurch on February 12 and Wellington Phoenix U20s away on March 4.
Chettleburgh, a dynamic presence in the engine room, also will miss out on a historic maiden appearance at Memorial Park.
It's perhaps just as well the franchise is considering staging games outside the Bay because they'll desperately need to broaden their meagre fan base.
If Angell isn't conspicuous in his absence in the stands, he'll do well to ponder how he'll redress his conduct so it rubs off on his pliant players, too.
