AFC Emley chief Darren Hepworth wants other clubs to respect the rules
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth wants other clubs to respect the rules regarding approaches for players.
Emley recently made a complaint about a Toolstation Northern Counties East club who allegedly broke the rules when contacting star striker Ash Flynn.
Hepworth is fuming about the un-named club’s behaviour and insists that Emley will not hesitate to report any side that contact their players without going through the right channels.
“There is a protocol that has to be respected and we do,” Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire.
“I don’t talk about people openly before going through the seven days’ notice period.
“I will say that another club’s manager rang me and said they wanted to make an approach for Flynny. That’s what should happen and I actually waived the seven days.
“I have the upmost respect for that club because they did things the right way.
“All clubs should do the same by having the decency to contact myself or the club formally. If they do that, they’ll have the right response.
“If I find that players are getting approached through social media or other means then we will report the club concerned.”
It has been suggested that Emley get a similar flag to Hemsworth’s after Darren Hepworth was cleared by the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA
Hepworth has had some good news as he has been finally cleared over his controversial dismissal at Louth Town back in April.
The red card revolved around a comment that Hepworth made to his players. One of the assistant referees heard part of it and misinterpreted it – believing that it had been aimed at the referee.
Emley appealed with a three-page submission and the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA have dropped the case as they ran out of time to hear the appeal.
The County FA has 180 days to hold appeals by its own rules.
Hepworth added: “The Louth thing was interesting because it shouldn’t have even got to that.
“It showed that it was something of nothing because they didn’t follow through with it.
“We got our money back and the chairman was joking that we should have a flag like Hemsworth have got, but saying ‘Daz is innocent’.
“I was livid when I got reported because I shouldn’t have even been sent off in the first place, but what could we do?
“It didn’t come at a right moment for us either because our season was just starting to untangle.”
Emley are due to visit in-form Eccleshill United this weekend.