Tom Watkins accepts blame for Telford Tigers blunder

Tigers saw their 8-2 Moralee Conference win at Blackburn Hawks last Sunday turned into a 5-0 defeat because of the mistake. League rules state clubs must have a non-playing level two coach on the bench.

Tigers had three level two coaches on the night, but they all spent time on the ice.

Watkins has also been hit with a two-match suspension, but accepts the blame lies with him.

“I made a mistake. I got it wrong, it’s as simple as that,” he told the Shropshire Star. “I misinterpreted what the actual rule was and I hold my hands up.

“It’s disappointing it wasn’t spotted on the night and told to us during the game, then of course I would have stood down and not gone on the ice.

“Referees are supposed to check and make sure things are in place. It would have been easy for them to say ‘what’s going on?’ but unfortunately they didn’t and Blackburn have benefitted.”

“I think a note was put on the gamesheet and we were notified on Monday morning of a potential issue.”

Watkins was forced to sit in the stands for Wednesday’s NIHL Cup defeat at Swindon because of his suspension and will have no involvement tomorrow’s league clash at Solway.

“I got a two-game suspension, not from the league management committee but from the coaching programme,” he added.

“I only found out just before we set off for Swindon on Wednesday.

“I’m not allowed on the bench or in the dressing room, so I sat up high with the Swindon fans and watched the game from there.

“I feel like I’m being punished twice a little bit, but rules are rules.”