Railwaymen thrown out of FA Trophy!

By Matt Lawton
January 16 2004

Leigh RMI have been thrown out of this season's FA Trophy after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in last weekend's 1-1 Third Round draw with Stalybridge Celtic.

An FA inquiry found RMI guilty of fielding an ineligible player in the form of former Bury goalkeeper Sebastien Rowe, who ineligibly played in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Stalybridge, who hadn't received the proper international clearance to play after signing on a non-contract basis from local North West Counties League side Atherton Collieries.

Rowe was drafted in to play because regular goalkeeper Gary Kelly is out injured with a broken thumb, while back-up goalkeeper Ian Martin was ineligible after playing for Rossendale United in the same competition when on loan with the East Lancashire club earlier this season.

Rowe had spent last summer playing in the United States but hadn't received proper international clearance to resume playing in England and as such was ineligible to play for RMI.

It is unclear as yet what punishment will be handed out to the Colls, as Rowe had played more than 15 games for the Alder House outfit earlier this season.

Stalybridge will now have a home tie against fellow Unibond League club Marine in the FA Trophy Fourth Round.