Administration error costs RMI vital point

By Matt Lawton
April 25 2006

Leigh RMI have officially been docked one point from their current Conference North total after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.

RMI keeper John Lamb was loaned to Bradford Park Avenue but due to an injury to James Coates was recalled to the side for the 3-3 draw with Worksop on 18th March 2006. Because of an administrative error that was made on the original loan, it wasn't permitted that RMI were able to recall Lamb from his loan spell in West Yorkshire and as such was ineligible to take part in any RMI fixtures until his loan period had expired. In accordance with Conference rules any points gained through playing an ineligible player are automatically deducted, a situation that has seen Altrincham recently deducted of a mammoth eighteen points in the National division of the Conference.

This is the second time that RMI have been penalised for playing an ineligible goalkeeper, following an incident which saw RMI thrown out of the FA Trophy 2003/04 season when Sebastian Rowe was signed from Atherton Collieries and faced Stalybridge Celtic in the Trophy, only for it to be discovered that he hadn't received international clearance to resume playing in England after having a spell playing football in the United States.

Because the problem was an error on RMI's part, along with the facts being conclusive, RMI will not be appealing against the decision, which leaves RMI level on points with rivals Redditch United.

In my own personal opinion, only Leigh RMI FC would be stupid enough and so unprofessional as to make such an error on not one, but two, separate occasions in two incidents that could well cost the club very dearly indeed, especially as it means ourselves and Redditch will be level on points when champions Northwich Victoria visit Hilton Park on Saturday afternoon.