Droylsden kicked out of FA Cup

December 29, 2008

Droylsden boss Dave Pace

DROYLSDEN manager Dave Pace has vowed to fight the decision to throw the minnows out of the FA Cup after describing his club’s costly mistake as “the slightest of slight errors”.

The Blue Square North side were punished on Monday for fielding an ineligible player in the final game of their epic second-round tie against Chesterfield.

Pace, who is also chairman of Droylsden, disputed the FA Cup protest sub-committee’s decision which means League Two side Chesterfield will now play Ipswich in the third round on Saturday - unless Droylsden succeed when their appeal against the expulsion is heard on Wednesday.

After two postponements and a draw, at the fourth time of asking Droylsden beat Chesterfield 2-1.

But defender Sean Newton, who scored both goals for the Bloods, should have been serving a suspension for picking up five bookings.

Pace said: “We’re obviously disappointed. It never ceases to amaze me really.

“It is an administration error. We had the game the other night with the floodlight failure so we assumed Sean would have been out for the (New Year’s Day game against) Vauxhall Motors game.

Appeal

“It is the slightest of slight errors. He is not a ringer and he has been registered for two years. We didn’t try to lie and to be kicked out of the FA Cup shows there is no grey areas.

“I just think it’s absolutely ridiculous. We have the right to appeal so that is what we will be doing.”

Pace also insisted money was not an issue, despite the £30,000 the club would have received for making it through to the third round now being diverted to Chesterfield.

He said: “At the end of the day it’s about football. Even if the appeal fails we beat Chesterfield and they can’t take that away from us.”

The tie between Droylsden and Chesterfield had already been dogged by incident, with the first postponement due to fog and the second caused by floodlight failure.

Those games came either side of a 2-2 draw at Saltergate which was controversial because Chesterfield deliberately conceded an equaliser after scoring when the ball had been put out for an injury.

Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson had expected today’s verdict.

He said: “This has been a cup tie with many talking points and it seems that the FA has now had the last word. The outcome is no real surprise as the rules clearly set out what is likely to happen if a club plays an ineligible player.”

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Cynical Cynic (29/12/2008 at 13:26)

I can't deny that Droylsden deserved to be removed from the competition. However why should Chesterfield be rewarded?

Ipswich should have been given a bye and the £30k should have been given to a charity.

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (29/12/2008 at 13:36)

As an FC United fan I have the utmost sympathy with Droylsden, but the question has to be asked - how was such a basic error made in the first place ? After Bury last year, everyone knows this carries automatic expulsion. My own club went on to win a cup last season despite having been battered 5-1 by Nantwich in an early round, as they too had fielded an ineligible player,
albeit for the last five minutes and with the scoring already completed. It's tough, but we all know the rules.

Mark, South Manchester (29/12/2008 at 13:48)

Surely the player himself would be aware of "exactly which games" he would be ineligible for??
Or are some footballers really that stupid?

gazz (29/12/2008 at 13:58)

Stupid is as stupid does

How on earth can the player himself play in a match that he knows he is suspended for.
Sorry but i have very little sympathy for the player or the club, i was delighted when they finally went through, but to then find that the scorer of the goals should not of even been on the pitch is crazy. this has happened a couple of times in recent years so surely they were aware of the repercussions.

Todd, heywood (29/12/2008 at 14:11)

Chesterfield must be laughing their socks off. Beaten by a better team over 4 games they appear to have known the offending players status before it became evident to the Bloods management, as they lodged a complaint immediatly - the honerable thing to do would have been to let Droylsden aware of the position before the game, but they kept it in reserve just in case they lost. Unfortunatly the official at Droylsden who allowed this to happen should 'fall on his sword' and resign , through his error or oversight, the club , players and supporters have suffered dearly.

Ferrari, Toulouse (29/12/2008 at 15:28)

Cynical Cynic, are you a muppet? So Ipswich lose out on revenue for a home 3rd round tie?

David of Ashton, Ashton (29/12/2008 at 15:30)

Amateurs, surely the player himself knew obviously a lack of communication, somebody must have been keeping pace with the admin at this club.

mazzy manny, who knows (29/12/2008 at 16:39)

hasnt a few premiership players not played in games they should not have and nothing has been done,this stinks,there a small club come on give them a break.

jamos, northwich (29/12/2008 at 18:26)

got what they deserved.does not matter if it was an innocent mistake,he was ineligible end of story,even more so because he scored both goals..if they had not been expelled bury would have had good grounds to sue the fa and rightly so

Ronny Ekelund (30/12/2008 at 01:26)

fully deserved too....how can you not kno a player is suspended...whoever made the mistake should be sacked

Stan (30/12/2008 at 22:37)

On the pitch “the slightest of slight errors” can cost a game, the same is true off the pitch. Learn and move on.

Blue45, Hyde (31/12/2008 at 21:31)

A slight error made by the club has cost them dearly.
Its a huge disapointment for all followers of the club and one which must be felt by most local football fans.
They put up a great show and brought great excitement to the area. Their efforts will be remembered for a long time.

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