Bridgnorth outraged at axe from the cup
AFC Bridgnorth manager Mark Clyde has launched a stinging attack on the FA after his side were kicked out of the Shropshire Premier Cup for fielding an illegible player.
In last month's 3-1 win over Shifnal Town, Clyde brought on 17-year-old Liam Armstrong with seven minutes to go not realising he played for Shifnal United 97 in an earlier round of the competition.
But, despite contacting the Shropshire FA to inform them of the mistake, the governing body has decided to remove them from the competition more commonly known as the Shropshire Challenge Cup.
An outraged Clyde said: "It's absolutely unbelievable what has happened. This is a 17-year-old lad we are talking about, who is just out of school and all he wants to do is play football.
"We had no idea he had played for Shifnal United 97 but when we found out, we contacted the Shropshire FA.
"It was 3-1 when he came on and 3-1 when the game finished – but they have seen fit to expel us which I think is an absolute disgrace.
"If we hadn't have said anything, we would still be in the cup. We did the noble thing and have been punished for it.
"We've been punished by people who have probably never played the game."
Clyde is particuarly annoyed as he likes to use cup games to introduce players to the first-team, saying: "I am trying to build a club here and we don't ever go looking for players.
"We try and improve players and develop players and I felt this game was a great chance to introduce Liam to the first-team. We have asked the FA to change their minds but they won't. It's madness."
The decision leaves Bridgnorth competing on two fronts, with Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Gornal Athletic securing their place in the next round of the League Cup.
Mick Murphy, from the Shropshire FA, confirmed Bridgnorth have been removed from the competition.
