THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT RELEASED TODAY 13TH DECEMBER 2010, FOLLOWING A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE IN LONDON, IN RESPECT OF MATTERS CONCERNING PREMIER DIVISION CLUBS.
1. The Board of the Football Conference confirm that both Kidderminster Harriers FC and Histon FC have been charged with misconduct under Rule 18. These charges relate to allegations of submitting misleading financial information.
Each club will within the next two weeks formally appear before an independent commission who will adjudicate on the evidence to be heard.
I wouldn't be surprised if we get our 5 points back before the end of the season. All the conference have to do is make one relevant (to us) mistake in dealing with Kidderminster and Histon and he'll be able to claim that his client (Welling Utd) were unfairly treated.
If it's the same charge we had, then surely, regardless of the loophole, the same penalties apply? If not, then I'd reckon we could have a case in saying "Well, hang on a minute..."
What I'm saying, is that if kidderminster and Histon have committed breaches of the conference rules similar to those committed by Welling United, and both (or even just one of) Kidderminster and Histon are treated favourably in comparison to Welling United, then Dan Chapman can use that and possibly have the 5 point penalty overturned, irrespective of Welling United's refusal to make an appeal. A refusal i remind you, that was motivated by the fact the club were in a far more serious financial situation than they are in now. They didn't at the time want to make a very serious situtation worse.
-- Edited by Dogme on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 11:46:57 AM
Totally right Dogme - if they don't get a 5 point reduction, then it can be argued that the only reason that we got 5 points was because they knew we did not have the money to appeal.
Has anyone at the club checked whether the Conference rules re Financial Stability affect the eligibility for participation in play offs and/or promotion?
Histon's official website confirms they have been given the same penalty but in addition have been placed under a players embargo until a question over the validity of a 2009 VAT return is resolved with HMRC.
"At a Conference Hearing held yesterday, Histon FC pleaded guilty to the charge of incorrectly completing the FQR4 (Financial Reporting Return for 2009/10) in April 2010. The principal issue was regarding PAYE & NI amounts owing. This matter has since been addressed and settled in full with HMRC in September 2010. A secondary concern is a VAT return submitted in 2009 and Histon FC is collaborating with HMRC to clarify the position.
The Conference has issued the following penalty;
· 5 point deduction.
· £5,000 fine, suspended for two years.
· Embargo on signing players with immediate effect until the query over VAT is resolved. When this matter is resolved the embargo will be lifted."
