Help Altrincham with their protest

The news that Altrincham are to be deducted 18 points (see earlier story on Bulls News) for fielding a so-called ineligible player is probably the most severe deduction ever given to a Conference club.

The following is from the Official Altrincham website:

At its meeting today (Thursday) at Burton, the Football Conference has implemented its rule that the playing of an ineligible player attracts a fine of £1,000 and a deduction of all of the points gained in matches in which that player took part. So, Altrincham have been fined this sum and an 18-point deduction is to be applied to the club's league record this season. The club is awaiting this decision in writing before deciding on an appeal to the Football Association.
As readers will know, this case arises from the transfer from Accrington to Altrincham of James Robinson. Accrington had not obtained international clearance for Robinson, who did not actually play for them in the Conference.

Already an on-line petition has been set-up in support of Altrincham. (See previous article)

A letter of complaint has been drafted by an Altrincham supporter (UPDATE: letter edited to include reference to Hereford United) to Mr John Moules, the Conference chief.

Dear Mr Moules

I would like to register my dismay at the disproportionate punishment that
has been handed out to Altrincham F.C. this afternoon. Your decision to
deduct eighteen points from Altrincham together with a £1000 fine has
massive implications for them. The certain relegation could be a nail in the
coffin of a proud non-league football club that has spent the last few years
trying to fight its way back from financial meltdown.

The eighteen point deduction is the largest ever penalty to be levied upon a
club in the history of the Football Conference and as such needs
reconsideration. Altrincham's crime was not to cheat nor was it to
deliberately engage in any type of misconduct, it was simply to sign an
English footballer from another English club in good faith. Contrast this
with Boston United who were found guilty of corruption in their Conference
winning season but were still rewarded with promotion to the league. Their
"punishment" was a mere four point deduction the following season. Dagenham
and Redbridge who were denied their place in the league suffered far more
from this decision.

The docking of points has now relegated Altrincham for a genuine mistake
that almost every other Football club would have made. Is there no room for
justice in the Conference rule book? Are you honestly convinced that a club
should lose its place in the league next season due to an administrative
error?

If there is a genuine feeling that Altrincham should be relegated for acting
in good faith on the issue of a simple transfer then this is a dark day for
the Conference. As a fan of Hereford United, I have thoroughly enjoyed our
time in this league and have viewed it as a league of honesty and integrity.
After today's decision, with clubs' fates seemingly being determined behind
closed doors by people with little accountability badly tarnish that image .
If the decision regarding Altrincham stands, the Conference will have become
just as corrupt and closed as the Football League of twenty years ago, which
the Conference fought valiantly against.

I hope that you take into account the strength of feeling amongst Conference
fans and promptly reverse this decision.

Yours sincerly


The letter should be sent to: john@footballconference.co.uk

Although Hereford United itself is not affected by the points deduction for Altrincham, many Bulls supporters have already signed the petition and will have much sympathy with the plight of the Robins.

As yet, the Conference have not commented on their Official Website about the decision. It isn't even known who was at the meeting and how, if there was a vote, those attending voted.

Phil Wallace of Stevenage is the Conference chairman.

LATER: John Moules has declined to give an interview on FiveLive this evening.

---