‘Barmy Rules’

 I’m starting to get a little annoyed with the decision makers!   How can you penalise a team 6 points for fielding an ineligible player, then order them to replay a game giving them the chance of regaining three of those points back?  It’s not only ludicrous, it’s almost child like in its making.

 The NWCFL rule 37 states ‘Any club playing an ineligible player will have deducted from its record any points gained in such games plus three penalty points for each game and liable to a fine not less than £100.00. The Management Committee may also at its discretion (a) have the game replayed on a date and time at the discretion of the Management Committee. (b) Have the gate money in the replayed game distributed at its discretion.’

I am of course referring to the game on the 27th of December 2003; Glossop N.E. v Mossley, when Mossley fielded an ineligible player in the shape of Mark Bradshaw during their 2-0 win.  They claim his registration was delayed because of the Christmas post, the fact remains that it didn’t get there on time, and hence the club should be punished, regardless.  But do we honestly believe that this is a suitable punishment?  Ask Glossop first and I guess their answer would be no.  Mainly because they have now been ordered to replay the game, (great if they win) but that will surely mean added expenses for Glossop in the shape of travelling(Ie: players from out of town) & wages?  Don't forget there is a possibility that the game could be replayed at the end of the season, when say for instance Clitheroe have already won the League!

We had the unfortunate indignity of being excluded from the Worthington Challenge Trophy in 2001 when we also fielded an ineligible player, namely Brian Hatton, in what was a genuine misinterpretation of the seven-day ruling.  Nevertheless, we were wrong and had to take our punishment on the chin.  As genuine as our mistake was, we have to understand that not everybody would see it as a genuine mistake.  Therefore the law must be upheld.  Despite the fact that we had battered Castleton Gabriels 5-0 in the 2nd round, we were eliminated from the rest of the competition.  As harsh as that was, it was the right ruling.  I’m sure Mossley will feel aggrieved with their current plight, but given the fact that the committee has decided by its discretion to replay the game, they have at least been given them a lifeline…more than they offered us!  Its just not on to be honest, as a discretionary ruling isn’t a hard and fast ruling.  Somewhere down the line a similar thing might happen again, but depending on the way the committee are feeling on that day, the guilty party may not get such a lifeline!

Which brings me to Atherton Collieries who have allegedly played their current goalkeeper, Seb Rowe in 18 games without him having the appropriate International clearance.  Spare a thought for them!  Coll’s are currently plumb bottom with 17 points to their name.  They stand to lose 54 points…I take it that they haven’t won in that period, so at least they won’t have to replay 18 games!

My parting shot on the entire episode has to be; Why did it take the League so long to catch-up with Atherton’s situation.  I’ve been reliably informed by Robert Hurst who runs the NWCFL website, that it is highly unlikely that an ineligible player could pass through the system without being detected at all.  But I have to say, I’m inclined to be a little dubious given the 18 game run the Coll’s goalkeeper had.

Transfer Windows - People in glasshouses shouldn't cast stones!!!

Chris Dunn; the website administrator for Ramsbottom United has started an on-line petition, to see the NWCFL adopt a transfer window similar to the professional ranks, in order to stop what he deems to be the mass exodus of players from NWC teams; either because players have been offered bigger wages, or when former managers take their old players with them into their new employment.

 Whilst feeling sympathy for Mr Dunn and understanding why he thinks a transfer window is such a good idea, I can’t help feel that had his club Ramsbottom United been vying for a place in the Unibond this season, his thoughts would’ve been left within the confines of his local pub walls!

 We all suffer from the sudden departures of players, and in an ideal world a transfer embargo would be a good idea.  However the idea will never see the light of day, purely because you enter the realms of contractual rights.  And at this level of football clubs can’t afford to have all their players on contracts.  We don’t want to lose our best players, but we can’t afford to be tied to long-term contracts.  But that isn’t exactly where the problem exists; it is lower down in the pecking order, i.e. the players that don’t always get a game.

 Given the fact that many players at this level receive little if no payment at all for services rendered, to restrict their movements would be tantamount to suicide.  For example Joe Bloggs at Skelmersdale United has been sitting on the bench for weeks, and his chances of playing 1st team football on a regular basis are fairly slim.  He decides he will drop down to the reserves and still he isn’t guaranteed a place in the starting eleven with them.  He can’t move because he has to wait for the transfer window to open.  He’s not fully match fit because he’s not playing regular football, and worse still…he’s not even in the shop window, because nobody knows who he is!!! 

 We can’t mirror what goes on in the professional ranks, plain & simply because there isn’t that much money in our pot and it wouldn’t be fair at this level anyway.  We have to adopt the basic principles of our professional counterparts, but at the same time we have to be more flexible.  Many of our player’s work in full-time jobs and race home form work to play the sport they love.  I’ve given an example of this kind of commitment before in a different article.  David Standley raced to a game dressed head to foot in plaster, after a hard days graft, proclaiming how knackered he was…only to go on and win the Man of the Match Award for his exploits against Abbey Hey away from home…and during midweek as well.  You then have to ask yourself a question…. If Dave was to have a spell out through injury, and on his return to fitness struggle to get his place back, would it be fair to prevent him from playing for another team if the opportunity presented itself…given the fact that he’s shown such commitment beforehand?

 We’ve got numerous problems at this level that need more urgent attention than Chris Dunn’s proposed changes.  Like, why are we no closer to finding out how many teams will be promoted at the end of the season?  Why should we have to wait until the end of May 2004 to find out?  Why aren’t we getting a full 12-month notice prior to the event?  Chris Dunn’s team Ramsbottom could find themselves in a very advantageous situation at the end of this season if the proposed restructuring doesn’t go ahead.  Many clubs within the NWC 1st Division have over-stretched their budgets this season in order to be in contention for the re-shuffle.  I wonder how many of those clubs will suffer next season as a consequence?  I think one or two people will be breathing a sigh of relief come the seasons end, and will rejoice in the fact that they will be able to compete for a place in the Unibond on good old fashioned effort.  Perhaps this season the player merry-go-round has been brought to the fore more so because of the importance of what lies ahead.  I’m torn in two over the events, because as a Skelmersdale United supporter, and the fact that we haven’t done as well as we anticipated, we have to face the fact that we will be playing football at a lower level next season.  Yet on the other hand I can see the need for reform, and look forward to all that it offers.  What I don’t appreciate is the fact that although we have been warned of the restructuring, we haven’t been kept up-to-date with its progress.  Ultimately, we have to fall in line with whatever the hierarchy decides…and that for me…stinks!

 As I’ve said before though, I’m fully behind the reform, but don’t start putting even more obstacles in our way like transfer windows, the game’s hard enough at this level as it is without adding extra pressure on Managers; many of whom aren’t paid either…may I add?