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Archived News from March 2010

LEGAL ACTION OVER EXPUNGING OF CHESTER RESULTS
22nd March 2010 23:44


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Andrew Perry comment on Stagsnet message board, Thu Mar 18, 2010 :
This is confirmation from the lawyers acting on behalf of the clubs.

A statement will be on http://www.mansfieldtown.net tomorrow.

Dear All

I am pleased to confirm that the notice of appeal was lodged with the FA at 4.20pm today. A copy has also been sent to the Football Conference.

The appeal is being made by the following 10 clubs:

1. Stevenage Borough FC
2. York City FC
3. Tamworth FC
4. Kidderminster Harriers FC
5. Crawley Town FC
6. Rushden and Diamonds FC
7. Oxford United FC
8. Cambridge United FC
9. Mansfield Town FC
10. Barrow FC

Under the rules of appeal the Football Conference has until 8 April 2010 (21 days) to serve a reply. The FA will then notify the parties of the date for the hearing.

I will let you know as soon as I hear anything from either the FA of the Football conference.

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Clubs want points won against Chester City restored
Friday, 19 March 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8576849.stm?
Ten Blue Square Premier clubs are demanding the points won from matches played against expelled Chester City should be restored.

The teams maintain Football Conference management was wrong to expunge Chester's playing record.

They are appealing to the Football Association in an attempt to overturn the decision.

The Conference has until 8 April to serve a reply, after which the FA will announce a date for a hearing.

The clubs are citing a precedent set in 2005 when the Northern League were forced to re-instate Spennymoor's record after the club went out of business.

But Luton manager Richard Money questioned the motive behind the appeal, which if successful, would mean the Hatters fall four points back in the title race.

Money told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I think it is a farcical situation."

Money, whose side drew twice with Chester, and therefore had only two points removed, said: "The League have made their decision, and as far as I'm concerned, that should be binding.

"I'd have a little wager that it is partly because we have won the last four games and people are suddenly flapping a little bit.

"When the decision was originally taken we were a little bit further behind. Now we are a little bit closer and suddenly one or two are beginning to mess their pants a bit and trying to overturn it.

"Everyone in this league has done everything they possibly can this year when they play us, and when they don't play us, to keep us in the Conference next season.

However a spokesperson for the 10 clubs, believed to include league leaders Stevenage and second-placed Oxford United, said: "The decision to expunge points so late in the season was not the right way of dealing with this situation.

"By the time Chester were expelled, 80% of the playing season had passed and we believe it would have been fairer to all to have awarded teams three points for the un-played games, a solution the FA has previously implemented.

"This way all events that happened on the field of play, whether they be points gained or lost, bookings, injuries, bonus payments, goals scored etc all count, which is as it should be.

"We do not believe it is fair that points and the record of goals scored are expunged, yet bookings incurred in those games remain in force and count towards match bans".

Earlier this month Blue Square North side Fleetwood launched a similar appeal after Farsley Celtic's results were expunged when they went out of business.

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Stags' new bid to regain deducted Chester points
CHAD.co.uk, 22 March 2010, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD Town are one of 10 BSP clubs who have banded together to launch an appeal to get the points re-instated that they were deducted when Chester City went out of business two weeks ago.
The teams maintain Football Conference management was wrong to expunge Chester's playing record and are appealing to the Football Association in an attempt to overturn the decision.

The Conference has until 8 April to serve a reply, after which thADVERTISEMENTe FA will announce a date for a hearing.

The clubs are citing a precedent set in 2005 when the Northern League were forced to re-instate Spennymoor's record after the club went out of business.

"This is a genuine appeal and not just lip service," said chairman Andy Perry.

"We are told that records have twice been expunged in the past but the most recent ruling saw then points re-instated so why would you not use that as your precedent?

"I know less than 10 clubs voted to keep Chester in the league but that vote was purely about whether or not we felt they would fulfil their fixtures."

Manager David Holdsworth added: "If something is worth fighting for then you should fight for it.

"We earned those points and would like them back if we can.

"The league need to look at themselves and make sure they are signing from the same hymn sheet.

"If taking those points away was unneccessary and they are forced to give them back then they will make themselves look rather stupid."

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York City appeal to the FA and Football Conference
19th March 10
http://www.ycfc.net/news.php?id=2011

York City have confirmed that they are one of ten clubs that have registered an Appeal with the FA and Football Conference concerning the expunging of points, following the recent demise of Chester City. The 125-year-old club was expelled from the Football Conference after a vote by clubs at an EGM, following their failure to fulfil fixtures. They had until 5 March to appeal the decision. Having not done so, on 8th March, the Football Conference announced the board decision to expunge all points gained by any teams in matches against Chester City. A spokesperson said “The strength of feeling within the clubs that have appealed is that the decision to expunge points so late in the season was not the right way of dealing with this situation. We don't think that it was fair or reasonable when the Conference as a whole is considered. By the time Chester were expelled, 80% of the playing season had passed and we believe it would have been fairer to all to have awarded teams 3 points for the unplayed games, a solution the FA has previously implemented. This way all events that happened on the field of play, whether they be points gained or lost, bookings, injuries, bonus payments, goals scored etc all count, which is as it should be. We do not believe it fair that points and the record of goals scored are expunged, yet bookings incurred in those games remain in force and count towards match bans”. The Football Conference has until 8 April (21 days) to serve a reply, after which the FA will announce a date for a Hearing.

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No Conference Appeal by Barrow
http://www.barrowafc.com/newsite/club/news.php?article=540

Contrary to press reports, Barrow are NOT part of a group of clubs appealing against the decision to expunge Chester's results.

Chairman, Brian Keen, said "I was contacted confidentially in midweek by an unnamed Chairman, asking us to join nine other clubs in appealing the Conference's decision to expunge Chester's results. I replied 'We at Barrow, want what's fairest for everyone not just a few clubs.' and I asked for the alternative proposal to be put to me in writing so we could decide if there was merit to appeal. I have still not received this and have hence never agreed to part of the appeal."

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EARLIER STORY:
BBC Non-League Show, 15Mar2010

Fleetwood Town consider legal action against Conference decision to expunge Farsley Celtic results, rather than award 3 points to the opposition for each game not played. Listen here and forward to 44 minutes in.

This could have implications for the Stags, in particular the Stags could potentially regain 4 points versus Luton and regain 3 points versus AFC Wimbledon.

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