Marine FC Youth title after breaching player regulations

 Source: Crosby Herald

 MARINE Football Club’s youth team have missed out on becoming champions of the North West Youth Alliance League after being deducted points.

The club has confirmed that the youth team have been deducted 12 points in relation to breaches of discipline following disciplinary hearings that have taken place at the Liverpool County FA.

Officials at the club expressed their disappointment at the ruling, which means Marine Youth FC have now finished third in the league.

Six points have been deducted for fielding an ineligible player on two occasions and a further six points have therefore been forfeited for the points gained in those two games.

A further three point deduction has been made for the breach being on two occasions.

As a consequence of the 15 points deduction the youth team have finished in third place in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division, organisers of which yesterday confirmed FC United of Manchester as champions and Altrincham as runners-up.

The youth side had enjoyed an incredible season, finishing top after a string of impressive displays.

Marine FC’s youth team chairman Colin Begbie expressed his disappointment at the deduction, particularly as many of the players will be too old to play for the team next season.

He said: “As far as I am aware it was an accidental breach.

“It’s unfortunate and these things happen but at the end of the day they’ve been found out and that’s it.

“They have broken the rules and have got to abide by them.

“It’s just disappointing and disappointing for the lads.

“I am sure a few of them of gutted.

“We have just got to move on and do it again next year.”

It is believed the incident concerned a player sent of in a cup match at Bradford last year playing before his suspension had run out.

Marine FC’s youth team had finished four points clear at the top of the league, with FC United of Manchester behind them and Altrincham in third.

Now the side have slipped to third in the league.

Within hours of the news breaking messages on the club website revealed disappointment over the deduction, with one fan posting: “Very disappointed to hear this news.

“You've got to say, the lads are going to be gutted now that all that hard work and effort they've put in is going to count for nothing.

“From first place to third place, I really am heartbroken for everyone in the Youth Team.”

by Joe Thomas, Crosby Herald