Rams’ outrage at points deduction
RA MS BOTTOM United were stripped of four league points on Sunday after an investigation by the EVO-STIK League deemed the Rams to have failed to adhere to loan registration rules. The decision, made following a disciplinary panel earlier in the month, left United on 47 points in 11th position and 11 points adrift of the playoff places.
“We’re annoyed,” said boss Mark Fell. “It’s a huge frustration and it probably puts the buffers on any chance of us achieving the play-offs.
“It is something we’ll challenge but, in my experience, there is very little chance of it being successful.”
The signing of Louis Myers from Chorley in September was delayed in reaching the Football Association, but whilst the FA did not to take any further action, the EVO-STIK League has moved to punish Bamber Bridge, Colne and Prescot Cables as well as the Rams.
“The FA contacted us in November and told us there was no further action and the case was closed, yet the league came back to us two weeks ago to say they were looking to deduct points we had gained when Louis Myers was in the team,” said the manager.
“We’ve got a right to appeal and we will be doing, but it’s baffling really that it can happen and that the FA can say one thing and the EVOSTIK can say something else.
“This isn’t a player that we didn’t register – we registered the player with the league and we got confirmation from the league that this player was registered, so we’re feeling a bit aggrieved.
“It’s a blow. We were an outside chance for the play-offs but we were still in with a chance and this will, you would imagine, put paid to that.”
Fell’s side had earned a point in a 2-2 draw away to third-place Trafford on Saturday, and face the same opponent again this weekend at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
The Rams, whose clash with Scarborough on Tuesday night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, must now pick themselves up for the reverse fixture; but Fell does not feel the quick turnaround will affect preparations.
“It’s fresh in our minds, but I don’t think it makes much difference. It’s a bit strange for the players, it’s almost like playing a twoleg cup game to play the same team so quickly.
“We know all about them but they know all about us. I suppose the only advantage we have is that it’s probably unlikely we’ll put the same 11 out because we may have a couple of injuries back by then.
“We’ve gone away from home against the side that are third in the division and we’ve taken a point which is fine, it’s good, it’s a step in the right direction and we would hope at home on Saturday we will be able to pick up all three points. It will give us a bit of heart and encouragement going forward into Saturday’s game that, potentially, we can match these sides at the top end of the table.”