You may or may not be aware that our under 18s team recently won their league title following a hard fought season and a play-off game. However, the victory was short lived as the League found that our under 18s coach had knowingly breached competition rules and therefore the title was stripped from the under 18s and handed to the losing side.

The coach had been advised by Club Committee members AND the League as to the competition rules regarding player eligibility prior to the play-off game. Nevertheless, the coach knowingly played an illegible player in the game.

A Club official attended the disciplinary hearing to represent the Club and support for the coach, however, it is clear from the hearing that the rules were deliberately broken, resulting in a fine for the Club and any possible appeal as futile.

Therefore, it is with regret that I have to inform you that the under 18s coach has been dismissed from his position. It is a decision not taken lightly but has been done for the protection and development of the players and the Club reputation.

Playing by competition rules is an essential element in all sports and is an ethic that should be impressed on young players by all responsible coaches and clubs. Infringement of League or competition rules by coaches in this manner is not acceptable to our Club and it contravenes our own Club rules also.

Winning by any means brings the game into disrepute and is an unethical approach to convey to players of any age.

Training will still continue for the players involved and new coaches will be appointed permanently in due course.

Yours in Sport

Ralph Rawsthorne

Chairman