Retford United manager Paul Ward is unhappy with Frickley Athletic over the signing of Jake Stannard
Retford United manager Paul Ward has criticised Frickley Athletic over the signing of Jake Stannard.
Stannard made his debut for Karl Rose last night as Frickley lifted themselves off the bottom of the Evo Stik Premier Division table with a brilliant 4-1 win over FC United of Manchester at Westfield Lane.
Stannard, who has been captaining Retford in the absence of Bobby Johnson, was due to feature in Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Retford’s 5-1 humbling at Tadcaster Albion until Ward was contacted on Monday night.
Ward claims Frickley have not abided by the rules and regulations and says the matter is in the hands of his chairman and secretary and they will decide if a complaint will be made.
“As a club we are not very happy because Frickley have played him against FC United of Manchester,” former Harrogate Town manager Ward said.
“The reality of that one is that there has been no seven-day approach of official approach from the club.
“They basically rang him up last night and he played for them tonight.
“I’m a bit disappointed in Frickley’s attitude towards us. They seem to think they don’t have to follow procedure.
“With every player we have fancied talking to, we have done it correctly and put seven-days in.
“They seem like they don’t need to do that.
“Karl Rose rang me after the event after Jake had text to say what he was doing.
“I got the phone call from Karl Rose to say that through a third party he had heard Jake was interested in going down there.
“I’m not naive to know what’s going off because there’s players playing for Frickley who played for us last year.
“Karl Rose says Jake approached them, but I have a text on my phone to say otherwise.
“The conversation finished with Karl Rose in respect of ‘I’m not happy you have left me with less than 24 hours to replace my captain, but, what can I do? Make it as difficult as I can for you’.
“All I would do is upset Jake. We’re not playing Premier League, but all you ask for is a bit of respect.
“If these teams want to take your players, do it right and put seven-days in and approach the player correctly and not just take them 24 hours before a big game at Tadcaster.”
It is unclear to Ward and Retford over whether Stannard will remain with Frickley or return to Retford.
When asked who Stannard will be playing on Saturday, Ward said: “Your guess is as good as mine.
“It’s Workington away for Frickley so he may fancy playing against Worksop at home in front of a good crowd.
“That’s a conversation I am going to have have with Jake. I don’t want people to pick and choose their games.
“He’s either our player or Frickley’s player and if he wants to go and play at a higher level, all well and good.
“I’ll never fall out with him over that. I’m not upset with Jacob, the people I’m upset with are the people at Frickley.”
Look out for Paul Ward’s verdict on the 5-1 defeat at Tadcaster on Friday when he also previews the trip to Worksop Town.