A footy player once banned for 20 years has had his playing career resurrected.

Matt Nean, who served nine years of his suspension after being found guilty of deliberately shouldering a referee, has won a contract to return to playing, according to Nine.

He was banned in 2016 over the incident and originally suspended for 18 weeks by NSW Rugby League 4.

Nean appealed the verdict and was further punished with a two-decade suspension that was only dropped last year.

The 35-year-old returned to playing with the Dungowan Cowboys last season, making four appearances.

And he has now been given a contract by the club to continue playing in 2027.

“I’m over the moon – for nearly a decade I was banned and thought I would never play footy again,” he told Nine.

“The thing I’m happiest about is that I will hopefully get to play with my son Kobhan (aged 17).

“He’s a great kid and playing alongside him will make everything I have been through worthwhile.

“This was never about the money because there isn’t much of it in bush footy.

“I just wanted to play the game I love and this contract means the world to me.”

Nean was playing for West Tamworth Lions in a grand final against North Tamworth when he was involved in a confrontation with referee James Brown.

He was one of seven Lions players sent off in game that ended up being abandoned 10 minutes early.

Nean’s brother Sean was handed a suspended jail sentence for his actions during the contest.

Sean Nean was banned for 30 years by the Group 4 judiciary after being found guilty of headbutting a rival player and making contact with Brown’s head.

Matt Nean claimed he never intended to make contact with the ref and vision of the incident appears to support his argument.

You can watch how the incident unfolded in the player above.

The NSWRL previously rejected an appeal from Nean’s lawyers to review the ban, prompting campaigns of support for the player.

Before his suspension was overturned Nean said he wanted the ban lifted so he could watch his children play the sport.

“That’s the thing that breaks me the most. When I get told I can’t even spectate, it takes a toll. Not only on me but on my kids and my partner,” he said previously.

“My whole family has been affected by this.”

Originally published as Footy player banned for 20 years for referee touch wins contract to play again