7 day approach rule breach.

[Wildlife rescue]

So Cheshunt play a centre half last night that signed  league forms for Town last Thursday and indeed played for us Sat.

Hope the FA throw the book at them.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

24 minutes ago, Wildlife rescue said:

So Cheshunt play a centre half last night that signed  league forms for Town last Thursday and indeed played for us Sat.

Hope the FA throw the book at them.

Assuming there is actually something amiss (i.e. ETFC did actually register Frempah) then it looks like a real possibility of Misconduct under Rule E1(b). A complaint would need to be made within 14 days. Presumably it would then be for The National League to consider whether it would be appropriate for them to take any action against Cheshunt. Penalties might include the player's registration being cancelled and/or Cheshunt possibly being punished separately.

First things first: has there actually been a rule breach?

[Wildlife rescue]

According to our Board members he signed league forms with our club Thursday night after training.

The club must act and more importantly keep us fans/Members informed as to what is happening.

There is a big push from Town fans to boycott Saturday's friendly tournament.

I definitely won't be attending.3

[Barney]

Without having all the info, I can't comment on what's happened (although it does seem a little bit off on the face of it), but I doubt there's any restriction on a player playing non-competitive matches for another club having signed league forms with us (every chance I'm wrong to be fair).

[lovely stuff]

Maybe the 7 day rule only becomes active once the season starts? Or doesn't include friendlies.

Whatever the rules i think we need to end the players registration with our club

[Wildlife rescue]

Official statement from our board

The matter has been referred to the F.A for investigation and as a result we have pulled out of Saturdays tournament at Cheshunt.

Well done our board 👏 👏👏

[The Crowing Cockerel]

I see that Cheshunt have put a rather different spin on things: https://cheshuntfc.com/2022/07/21/kings-lynn-town-fc-join-us-for-our-community-cup-tournament/

Over to the FA now, and whatever happens, by the time they take into account legal fees, I suspect Cheshunt will decide it probably wasn't a signing worth making.

[Barney]

Fair enough - I stand very much corrected. Thanks for the update, and well done to the board.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

I see that Mr Frempah has played (and scored) for Cheshunt tonight. If he is properly registered for another club then he is not permitted to train with Cheshunt and certainly not represent them in any kind of fixture. Its not simply a case of Cheshunt trusting the player's assurance that he is unregistered. They would have to check for themselves.

There's no way that he could come back and play for Town now. The concern must be that Frempah will eventually find himself banned for a lengthy period with Cheshunt receiving a fine/costs and a 'sporting penalty'.

I'm not overly impressed with the way in which Cheshunt seem to have conducted themselves. Had a genuine mistake been made then I would've expected a more conciliatory response from the Ambers. Afterall, we're going to be neighbours far longer than Ben Frempah will be playing for either side. There's nothing to stop them approaching players - particularly pre-season - but the arrogance of their response on social media has been disappointing.

Still, I'm sure it will all come out in the wash!

[Benjrider10]

The whole affair reflects poorly on the player (and on Cheshunt).

Frempah is (was) an experienced professional and must be familiar with registration formalities. He knew that he had signed registration forms with ETFC only a few days ago. Incredibly naive if he thought he could play a trial/friendly for another club mere days later and NOT cause a stink. I agree with LS. No way Frempah can be allowed back into the ETFC dressing room now. Andy signed him because he thought he would fit well with the team and set a good example. Sadly, the player’s actions speak for themselves. 

Cheshunt’s conduct is equally unbecoming. Somebody at Cheshunt FC approached Frempah to play. The question is whether that “somebody” knew that Frempah was registered with ETFC. I await with interest the result of the FA’s investigation. But to some extent that investigation is irrelevant. The player’s conduct demonstrates an utter lack of commitment or loyalty and Craig Edwards has already made his feelings on that plain:

https://cheshuntfc.com/2022/07/05/news-from-manager-craig-edwards/
 

I’d be pretty disappointed if I was a Cheshunt fan, to see Frempah in their team going forward. He’s done it to us, who’s to say he won’t do it to them?

 

I quite enjoy Albury Walker’s banter on this forum, it’s exactly what a local club rivalry should be. But this isn’t oneupmanship, this is conduct unbecoming. I hope Cheshunt do the right thing, send Frempah packing and clear the air with our manager and board. Their post about ETFC’s non-participation in this weekend’s Community Cup tournament was pretty ill-considered too.

[lovely stuff]

I think this incident also higlights the bigger issue of player loyalty and the bond between supporters and the playing squad at this level.

The current league/FA rules on registartions and contracts allows and encourages a lack of loyalty from players to their clubs.This results in a revolving door policy for most clubs at this level.With high levels of players constantly coming in and going out of the door.As such the bond between supporters and the playing squad is hard to maintain and this results in an apathy amounst fans that effects revenue and attendances in the long term.

I still maintain that we should encourage players to commit for a whole season (or at least half a season).This need not cost the club much more money as a token/peppercorn weekly  payment can be arranged in the contact (with expenses being payed as usual on top of that)..I know we would probably lose out on some players as a result as some would not want to commit to the club for any lenghth of time .Maybe we would miss out on players such as MO who were looking to move on at short notice is any offers came in,but having this new poilcy would ensure only players with some sense of loyalty or commitment would want to sign for the club.A settled squad for the whole season would encourage the bond the fans used to have with players in the old days.

As a supporter who now can only make about one in three games,i find it very hard to keep track of which players we have .Who they are and what positions they play in.As soon as i get a sense of our squad it changes quickly and i am back to square one.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

I suppose the main point for me is more about Cheshunt than ETFC. Cheshunt have some money, they've secured promotion and seem to have some exciting plans for the future. Their stated desire is to become a big non-league club. All very laudable for a club in a town with a population of only 45,000 people. At the same time, they've handled this situation with a rather 'small club' mentality. Its even reached the point where Cheshunt's manager (- who I know has something of a reputation,) is poking fun online. Perhaps the Cheshunt board and management have decided that they want to be seen as the new Billericay? We all know how that ended.

[andyetfc]

Does anybody know if Cheshunt Fc actually knew he had signed for us beforehand? 

[Benjrider10]

It was Cheshunt’s responsibility to verify that whatever the player told them was correct. A 30-second internet search for “Ben Frempah” would have found ETFC’s post announcing his signing. The Cheshunt secretary is in an awkward position.

Interesting that CC says there is evidence the Cheshunt manager has been poking fun on-line. I can’t be bothered to look but if this is so, he’s a fool. Can’t respect a manager who posts just a couple of weeks ago that he has released 2 of Cheshunt’s squad from last year because they weren’t committed to the club, only to have no problem poaching a player registered with a different club and completely ignoring the rules. Our (ex) PM has found to his cost that people who say one thing but do another, eventually get caught out. 

Edited July 22 by Benjrider10

[The Crowing Cockerel]

2 hours ago, Benjrider10 said:

It was Cheshunt’s responsibility to verify that whatever the player told them was correct. A 30-second internet search for “Ben Frempah” would have found ETFC’s post announcing his signing. The Cheshunt secretary is in an awkward position.

Interesting that CC says there is evidence the Cheshunt manager has been poking fun on-line. I can’t be bothered to look but if this is so, he’s a fool. Can’t respect a manager who posts just a couple of weeks ago that he has released 2 of Cheshunt’s squad from last year because they weren’t committed to the club, only to have no problem poaching a player registered with a different club and completely ignoring the rules. Our (ex) PM has found to his cost that people who say one thing but do another, eventually get caught out. 

Quite humorous, but I'm not sure the Cheshunt Manager should really be getting involved in the banter given the circumstances. Still, its a matter for Cheshunt how they wish to present themselves.

[lovely stuff]

2 hours ago, Benjrider10 said:

Our (ex) PM has found to his cost that people who say one thing but do another, eventually get caught out. 

Not all the time..Starmer got away with it.

[andyetfc]

4 hours ago, Benjrider10 said:

It was Cheshunt’s responsibility to verify that whatever the player told them was correct. A 30-second internet search for “Ben Frempah” would have found ETFC’s post announcing his signing. The Cheshunt secretary is in an awkward position.

Interesting that CC says there is evidence the Cheshunt manager has been poking fun on-line. I can’t be bothered to look but if this is so, he’s a fool. Can’t respect a manager who posts just a couple of weeks ago that he has released 2 of Cheshunt’s squad from last year because they weren’t committed to the club, only to have no problem poaching a player registered with a different club and completely ignoring the rules. Our (ex) PM has found to his cost that people who say one thing but do another, eventually get caught out. 

Maybe they had the wrong spelling of his name! Who knows? 

[The Crowing Cockerel]

11 minutes ago, andyetfc said:

Maybe they had the wrong spelling of his name! Who knows? 

That NEVER happens though! 🤔

[RoseDale Ron]

Not too sure what's going on with all this as I tend to switch off from football during the summer .. I'll find out later .

But it looks like a festering case of sour grapes to me .  

Who would have thought that little Cheshunt are a league above the mighty Enfield Town. 👀

[lovely stuff]

6 hours ago, RoseDale Ron said:

Not too sure what's going on with all this as I tend to switch off from football during the summer .. I'll find out later .

But it looks like a festering case of sour grapes to me .  

Who would have thought that little Cheshunt are a league above the mighty Enfield Town. 👀

Form (and big spending owners) are temporary..Class is permanent.

[Sweetnicker]

As far as i have heard no rules have been broken, and please don't compare us to Billericay there is no comparison, in fact i would say the Enfield Town budget was way ahead of ours last season and will probably be more next season. I'm sure Mo Faal played for peanuts last season.

[4wembleyfinals]

I too "S nicker" am not sure what rules have been broken. Basically the FA's Laws and Rules have only fallen into my legal province once when I was involved in the winding up of a certain well known Football League Club several years ago. Prior to them  going into administration. The legal thinking of the FA left me a bit bewildered.

But using someone, for what ever reason, contracted to another person must be wrong in common law.

In this simple example, if the person in question is seriously injured, whose insurance would he expect to use for cover during his inability to perform the actions of his contract? Also who would be held responsible for his welfare. One could think of many more examples. 

One can laugh but a claim for compensation would soon take the smile of their face!!!!

Edited July 23 by 4wembleyfinals

[andyetfc]

9 minutes ago, 4wembleyfinals said:

I too "S nicker" am not sure what rules have been broken. Basically the FA's Laws and Rules have only fallen into my legal province once when I was involved in the winding up of a certain well known Football League Club several years ago. Prior to them  going into administration. The legal thinking of the FA left me a bit bewildered.

But using someone, for what ever reason, contracted to another person must be wrong in common law.

In this simple example, if the person in question is seriously injured, whose insurance would he expect to use for cover during his inability to perform the actions of his contract? Also who would be held responsible for his welfare. One could think of many more examples. 

One can laugh but a claim for compensation would soon take the smile of their face!!!!

Claim for compensation? Wouldn’t really think the club would want to go through the courts. Leave the matter with the authorities and move on, just like the player did.

[Wildlife rescue]

2 hours ago, Sweetnicker said:

As far as i have heard no rules have been broken, and please don't compare us to Billericay there is no comparison, in fact i would say the Enfield Town budget was way ahead of ours last season and will probably be more next season. I'm sure Mo Faal played for peanuts last season.

 The fact that Enfield Town hold league registration forms signed by the player constitutes a rule break in my eyes.

Maybe your guys think rules don't matter but let's see what the FA have to say.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

16 hours ago, Sweetnicker said:

As far as i have heard no rules have been broken, and please don't compare us to Billericay there is no comparison, in fact i would say the Enfield Town budget was way ahead of ours last season and will probably be more next season. I'm sure Mo Faal played for peanuts last season.

Henceforth the little village club up the A10 will be known as Chesericay.

If you think Mo was on big bucks then you really have no idea about ETFC.

In the circumstances, assuming Frempah was registered correctly by ETFC, then I would expect Cheshunt to be reprimanded by the FA. Had this happened mid-season, then it would've been a fine and points deduction. I would much rather find out in July that a player has no loyalty to the club than later on, so thats all well and good. The damage to the relationship between the two clubs is a much more unfortunate side-effect with the blame for that certainly being laid at Chesericay's door.