We're back

[David Holden]

In the Trophy

 

Home to R&D on 3rd February and 5K better off.

[Harry J Allstars]

Good stuff.

 

I can see it now...

 

Judge: The verdict in the case of nasty AFC Wimbledon against the good people of Gravesend is guilty.

 

People of Gravesend: Hooray cheer cheer cheer.

 

Nasty Wombles: But uncle Bulgaria is innocent.

 

People of Gravesend: Boo, hiss.

 

Judge: Ladies and Gentleman what has taken place here today is justice. Who knows how long the long term demage will affect Gravesend & Northfleet but I hope that I have gone some way to repairing the damage caused by the nasty Wombles whom there is no pushiment too harsh.

 

Judge turns to the Wombles

 

Judge: I'm just sorry we can't deport people anymore. Anyway to the Gallows with you.

 

 

I hope this doesn't muck up our season.

[jc]

So we've got the prize money as well?

 

As has been noted on confguide just now, every practical solution to this problem was going to be an uneasy one, and the fact we're back in is highly fortunate, given that Eastleigh and Aldershot have no such privilege.

 

Part of me thinks that we should seize the opportunity and make a concerted effort to progress as far as we can, but another part of me feels uncomfortable about being back in the competition on such a technicality.

[mikefleet]

we have been given another bite of the cherry now lets take a big bite and take this trophy.

[MokeAFCW]

I cant deny that as a Wimbledon fan i am gutted. rules are rules, but it seems that punishment is very draconian. accepted completely as an administrative error, and an easy one to make (signing an english player from a club in the english pyramid, who hadnt been at any club for 6 months..), it seems that clearly we were never going to get leniency.

 

now we will doubtlessly get 19 points taken of our league tally as well - putting us just above relegation. that one line on one piece of paper can decimate a season so completely stings. we could have been punished less for running up £2,000,000 of debt, romping the league and then going into administration. seems stupid.

 

oh well. hope you lot go on to win the trophy - that would certainly make for an interesting bit of history - knocke dout by minnows, but still winning the cup...

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: MokeAFCW

now we will doubtlessly get 19 points taken of our league tally as well - putting us just above relegation. that one line on one piece of paper can decimate a season so completely stings. we could have been punished less for running up £2,000,000 of debt, romping the league and then going into administration. seems stupid.

You're spot on. Getting kicked out of a cup competition is I suppose fair enough if the rules are broken, but the draconian league penalties would ruin a lot of smaller clubs than AFCW, and even they'll stand to lose a packet in smaller attendances if their promotion campaign goes off the rails. For an administrative error, it's a penalty that isn't really consistent with the offence.

You get less for murdering people in this country!

[chilled out entertainer]

we will field a poor team and get knocked out. we have not done well in cups in recent years. shame really cos we should go all out for this now.

[MokeAFCW]

don't quite see why you lot get the prize money though! you didnt win it, thats for sure!

 

saw a previous example where all the prize money got given to charity, which seems more appropriate. if we had cheated in any way to win, or robbed you of a victory by some underhand method, then i could see the money would be deserved...

 

:S

[redowl]

Was he the guy that headed of the goal line thats caused the problems?.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: MokeAFCW

don't quite see why you lot get the prize money though! you didnt win it, thats for sure!

saw a previous example where all the prize money got given to charity, which seems more appropriate. if we had cheated in any way to win, or robbed you of a victory by some underhand method, then i could see the money would be deserved...

:S

Couldn't agree more, we are very fortunate to be back in we certainly don't deserve the money.

[Bloodnock]

He was the guy who cleared off the goalline, I believe he was their left back (no.3)

Don't think we really deserved the prize money as well, but hey ho! let's not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Youv'e got to have a bit of sympathy for Wimbledon, particularly if they do deduct points as well.

[FleetFanatic]

At the end of the day, whilst not intentially cheating, rules were broken.

 

Not having international clearance for a player means that by playing him, AFC Wimbledon fielded an ineligble player.

 

As Bury were kicked out of the FA Cup for fielding one, the precedent had been set this season,

as in seasons past.

 

AFC were always going to be kicked out.

 

Must say I'm surprised about the prize money though.....

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Its a very fortunate way for us to stay in the competition thats for sure. But rules are rules I suppose!

 

I've a work colleague who is a Wimbledon fan and I have given him a wide bearth over the past few weeks....... but now I can feel a meeting or two coming up!

 

 

As for the money? Its not really deserved is it?

 

Maybe as a gesture of our good fortune we should donate it to a worthy cause rather than bank it ourselves?

[Hxtownfan]

Originally Posted By: Harry J Allstars

I hope this doesn't muck up our season.

Now that would be justice

[Alan W (GNFC)]

AFC Wimbledon have not only lost the prize money from our game, but also the £7000 from the victories over Eastleigh & Aldershot - as has been said, the rules should be amended - surely a replayed game in a cup competition (perhaps with the player concerned being banned even though it wasnt his fault?) would be better? If it meant going back to the Eastleigh game, perhaps that should happen, although thats a difficult one as its difficult backtracking.

 

As for their league situation, a maximum deduction of 10 points should apply to such situations.The Football authorities are as much to blame for the situation as the clubs themelves - it really shouldnt be difficult in these days of technology to keep proper track of players centrally, such that all requirements on clubs buying/loaning players are totally clear and straightforward.

[Harry J Allstars]

The question in my mind is what would have happened had the FA not noticed the error and AFC Dons had gone on and won the Competition?

[coupwotcoup]

Fair play to you guys getting back in, but surely the time has come to amend cup competitions eligiblity... Why is it okay to play for two/three/four+ clubs in the same division during one season, but not for two sides in a cup comp? Total madness and what I have been led to believe it is down to International clearance of one player who had played for a Welsh club (please correct if I am wrong). As Wales is part of the UK, I am sure if the Wombles get a decent brief, then surely a trip to the European courts will not be out of the question?

Good luck lads and I wish you well....

[Harry J Allstars]

The problem is, although the player in question is English, he played for Cardiff and therefore was only registered with the Welsh FA. He then got an injury that ended his career and was doing some odd jobs. All of a sudden he met a mate who he knew as a Physio in his playing days who said he might be able to get him playing again and invited him down to Wimbledon where they got him fit and playing again. Trouble was they didn't get the FA to get his details transfered from the Welsh FA to the English FA. They had a decent breif alright but he wasn't good enough and according to my contact was in a fail mood when he got back to the office.

[coupwotcoup]

But how much of a heinous crime is it, as opposed to playing a ringer or somebody who has played for another club in the same comp, in the same season. Your average non-league player is a bear of little brain and (to defend them now) when playing in anything from three to nine cup comps during the season, then moving to club after club, do you not understand the problems that can ensue?

[DA11]

Great News for us. Unfortunately its not the club that suffers but the fans. After seeing them in full voice at Stonebridge Road its their supporters I really feel sorry for.