Tamworth handed points deduction

[Stu M]

Tamworth have been deducted three points by the Conference for fielding an ineligible player against Leigh RMI.

 

James Francis' registration was not received by the Conference in time for him to play in the game on November 6.

 

Tamworth appealed against the decision, saying the necessary forms were delayed in the post, but the penalty was upheld and the club has also been fined £250.

 

"This is a harsh punishment to take for a genuine error," general manager Russell Moore told the club's website.

 

Player-manager Mark Cooper said the decision was a hard one to take but would be used to spur on his in-form squad, which drops two places to 14th with the points loss.

 

Cooper has led Tamworth to seven wins in their last nine Conference games, including back-to-back victories over the top two of Barnet and Carlisle.

 

However, the 35-year-old former Birmingham and Hartlepool midfielder still insists staying in the league is his target.

 

"The boys have been playing very well and if those two victories don't give them confidence then nothing will," Cooper told BBC Sport.

 

"But nothing has changed. It's still a relegation battle and the aim is to stay up this year and we've got to make sure we do that.

 

"We have only got 15 players and it's a case of trying to keep everyone fit and keeping on going. If we get injuries and suspensions we'll worry about it then."

[David Holden]

Quote:

This is a harsh punishment to take for a genuine error," general manager Russell Moore told the club's website.

 

The genuine error presumably being not buying a fax machine.

[Jimmy]

Genuine error or whatever it was, still broke rules.

Still, on current Conference rules they should only be docked 10% of 3 points.

[jc]

The position we're in, of course, we'll gladly accept sides around us having points deducted. Then again, it's a shame if we have to draw comfort from things like this.