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Football League Crucify Millers

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Barnsley`s rivals, Rotherham United have been hit with a ridiculous 17 point deduction ahead of the new season.

The Football League released a statement on their official website:


FL BOARD STATEMENT

At its meeting this evening, the Board of Directors of The Football League considered applications for membership of The League relating to Rotherham United and AFC Bournemouth.

The Board also considered Rotherham United’s request to play its matches at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.

– Rotherham United

The Board considered an application from a company – Rotherham United (New Co.) – which has applied to join League 2 in place of the existing club, which is currently in administration.

Rotherham United (Old Co.) has been unable to agree a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with its creditors and as a consequence is unable to satisfy the normal conditions of The League’s insolvency policy for exiting administration.

The Board decided, however, that it was prepared to exercise its absolute discretion under the ‘exceptional circumstances’ provisions of its insolvency policy. Therefore, in accordance with recent precedent, the Board has made the following offer to Rotherham United (New Co.). Acceptance of the Board’s offer is a pre-requisite to the exercise of that discretion:

1. The club will be deducted 17 points for the 2008/09 season. This takes into account the fact that this is the club’s second insolvency event in recent seasons.
2. The club must provide a legal waiver indicating that it will not challenge or appeal this decision.
3. The club must undertake to return to Rotherham within four years and provide an irrevocable bond of £750,000. This will be forfeited if the club fails to return within that timeframe, as will the club’s membership of The Football League.
4. The club must pay unsecured creditors the amount offered at the time of the CVA hearing.

The Board’s offer is subject to the club agreeing these conditions, and formal agreements being signed, by 12.00 noon on Friday.


It appears that the smaller clubs continue to be victimised by the Football League. Luton are one of several other teams to have been hit with a points deduction, the Hatters begin this weekend with a thirty point deduction.

As the small, local clubs struggle financially, what love the fans have left for football is squeezed out by the FA and the Football League.

It`s okay for West Ham to field not one but TWO ineligible players, whilst Rotherham, Bournemouth and Luton struggle to make ends meet whilst trying to pull in the crowds. West Ham get a fine (which they can easily afford) and the little fish are penalised for financial irregularities with points deductions.

However some Miller`s fans are quite satisfied with the points deduction being ‘only` 17 points.

Good luck to the Milllers for the 2008/2009 season from all at Vital Barnsley.

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2 comments

  • herringthorpe says:

    You are right, Matty G, one rule for one and one for the other

  • Markcity says:

    It is a shame for Rotherham United as they have a very good squad and I think automatic promition would have been achieved had it not been for the points deduction.

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