Rocks docked a point after player mistake

6:53pm Monday 28th January 2008

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EAST Thurrock United's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Ryman Premier League have taken a further blow with news that the club have been docked a point for playing an ineligible player.

Unregistered youngster Michael Hart came on as a substitute and played just four minutes their league match at home to Harrow Borough on Saturday, December 8 which ended 0-0.

The club reported the mistake immediately to the League and were subsequently charged with a breach of League Rules. Rocks have also been fined £150.

Club secretary Mick Stephens said: "It was an inadvertant error on our part. Michael, who is a reserve team player, had played in ther Essex Senior Cup at Eton Manor in the midweek and it wasn't until after the game that we realised he hadn't signed Ryman forms.

"We owned up to the league straight away and in fact sent in our letter with the match report form but unfortunately we had broken the rules and have to accept the loss of the point. I don't think Michael touched the ball more than a couple of times but they are the rules."