Title jolt for Newmachar Colts
Juveniles denied league glory after rivals pull out
Published:
A NORTH-EAST juvenile club were cruelly denied winning only their second league title in 25 years due to another side pulling out of the league.
A strong finish to the term had put Newmachar Colts on course for Under-17 B League glory.
But when Banks o’Dee surprisingly withdrew at the tail end of the season, all of their games were declared null and void.
As a result, Newmachar had six hard-earned points taken from their total.
Even more unluckily for them, title rivals Stonehaven were stripped of just one solitary digit.
That was enough for Stonehaven to pip a distraught Newmachar to first place.
Team manager Ian Smith was gutted to see his players lose out in such unfortunate circumstances.
He said: “We had seven league fixtures left to play and we won all seven.
“The boys played their hearts out to win the league, but then the rules took it away from them.”
Smith confirmed Newmachar are now going to propose changes to the legislation to try to ensure a similar situation does not arise in the future.
He said: “We think if teams have played less than half their games when they pull out, then they should be removed completely from the league.
“Any more than that and points should be awarded for unfulfilled fixtures.”
Aberdeen and District Juvenile Football Association will consider Newmachar’s suggestions.
Secretary Raymond Kelly said: “In accordance with the rules, when a club dissolves before the end of April all of their games are void. In this instance the rule has probably not worked as we would have liked.
“In principle it is correct, but we may have to look at further adjustments.”
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