Eynesbury Rovers Disappointed by Ruling Over Player Eligibility

Eynesbury Rovers Football Club has expressed “extreme disappointment” after being sanctioned by the United Counties League for fielding Jordan Brown and being ordered to replay its fixture against FC Peterborough. The club says it had been advised by the Hunts FA that the player was eligible to take part.

Eynesbury Rovers Football Club is considering an appeal after being sanctioned over the eligibility of player Jordan Brown in its United Counties League fixture against FC Peterborough.

The club says it sought clarification from the Hunts FA before the game after Brown had been sent off in the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final.

According to Eynesbury Rovers, officials specifically asked whether the resulting suspension would prevent Brown from playing in the club’s opening United Counties League fixture.

The club says it was advised that, because the dismissal had taken place in the Hinchingbrooke Cup, a midweek competition, the suspension would only need to be served in that competition. Eynesbury says it was therefore told Brown was eligible to play in the league fixture.

Brown was subsequently selected, but the United Counties League has since sanctioned Eynesbury for fielding an ineligible player and ordered the match against FC Peterborough to be replayed.

Eynesbury says the Hunts FA has since acknowledged that the advice it provided regarding Brown’s eligibility was incorrect.

In a statement, the club said it was “extremely disappointed” by the outcome, arguing that it had carried out appropriate checks before selecting the player.

The club said: “We did not simply assume Jordan was available for selection; we specifically checked his status and acted upon the advice we were given.”

Eynesbury added that while it respects the need for player eligibility rules to be enforced, it was frustrated to face a sanction after seeking guidance from the relevant football authority.

The club now has seven days to appeal the decision and says its management is considering the options available.

Eynesbury Rovers said it would make no further comment until that process has concluded.