Lidds - banned

By Charlie Summerbell
April 28 2010

So, Thursday May 6 is decision day, the date when the all the pros and cons are weighed up and a conclusion is reached that could have far-reaching and potentially disastrous implications. Yes, that’d the date the FA will hold its hearing into “Liddlegate”, when Hartlepool United fielded a suspended player. Oh, and on the same day, there’s a general election.

The FA hearing comes two days after one called by the Football League, so both bodies will consider the case.
Having played Gary Liddle against Brighton on Easter Monday when he should have been suspended after being booked for the tenth time this season two days earlier at Leyton Orient, it would appear Pools are bang to rights.
However, they will be pleading for leniency because they claim nobody, apart from Liddle, knew he had been booked and that the Easter break meant that notice of the booking being sent to Pools was delayed.
Hopefully, they won’t be banking on being found not guilty on that flimsy premise.
It is not clear why both the FA and the League are holding hearings, but it is to be hoped that the double “trial” doesn’t mean there’s a risk of double punishment.
Most people expect Pools to be docked three points, but if more are taken off they could be in deep doo doo.
Allowing for a three-point fine – they are likely to have a financial penalty, too – Pools need to beat Exeter at the Vic this weekend.
It’s their last home game of the season, the campaign coming to an end at Brentford the following weekend, and it’s absolutely vital that Pools maintain the home form that has seen them win their last three home games – first because they need the points, and secondly because they need to leave fans on a high note after a topsy-turvy season crammed with inconsistency and frustration.