E. Stirling fans

By FOS Editor
January 24 2011

Minnows East Stirlingshire could face expulsion from the Scottish Cup after fielding an ineligible player v Buckie Thistle

Goalkeeper Michael Andrews wasn’t registered in time after a move from Falkirk. The Falkirk based club claim they sent the documents on 21^st December, in plenty of time for the 4^th Round deadline, but the SFA didn’t receive it.

The Shire are blaming the middle man for not delivering! There should be plenty of sympathy for them as we all know how much mail was held up due to the snowy weather.

Having said that they should have checked whether the player had been registered or not. There is no excuse as each club now has access to an extranet file to allow them to check.

Ironically they are due to play Brechin who were thrown out of the tournament three years ago for the same crime when they fielded two ineligible players against Hamilton.

There Scottish Cup fate will be decided at a meeting of the SFA board on Thursday. They could also face sanctions from the SFL whose board will also meet some time after the SFA have come up with their decision.

Without wishing to condemn the little guy I am not sure blaming the postman will help them win their case, particularly in the 21^st Century when there are so many other ways to communicate…..