East Riding Senior Cup
Bridlington Town have been removed from the East Riding Senior Cup after playing an ineligible player in the win over Sculcoates Amateurs.
Sculcoates have been reinstated into the competition. “In a statement, chairman Peter Smurthwaite said: I would like to express my disappointment at the decision made by the ERCFA to remove us from the Senior Cup Competition.
“Their rules are that out of date they are still on a carved stone tablet in the attic at their Headquarters. When proper cup competitions i.e the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase allow clubs to register a player 24 hours before the fixture, something needs drastically looking at.
“What is even more annoying is Gordon was actually speaking to the ERCFA Cup Competitions Secretary an hour before the game and mentioned the player had only recently signed for us, obviously that person does not know their own competition rules.
“We have always been strong supporters of the competition over many years and I know the Alliance Leagues are now looking into the overall situation with regard to County Cups so there could well be changes in the future.
“Gordon has done an excellent job as a volunteer as Secretary of this football club.
“This is the first time we have been penalised for an error in his administration during the years he has been Secretary, doing what is a very difficult job even more so now we are playing at a higher level.
“He is very well respected by the officials of the Northern Premier League and the Northern Counties East League for the efficient way he conducts his business.
“I wish Sculcoates Amateurs all the best in the Semi-Final with them being one of the local teams my Company has sponsored over recent years.
“The Humber League was formed by the ERCFA originally and they have always wanted a Senior Cup Final with both teams representing the Humber League so this could be their year.
“Finally we apologise to our management, officials, players and fans for this situation caused by a genuine error and trust we can now concentrate on our main goal which is to maintain our status in the Northern Premier League for the next and future seasons.”