Banks o’ Dee’s management, players and committee were understandably “devastated” this week – a 24-point deduction undoing all they have achieved (and more) on the field in the early part of their Breedon Highland League tenure.
The player registration issue, which earlier cost Dee their place in the second round of the Scottish Cup, saw the promoted Granite City outfit also pay a hefty league price and drop from an impressive sixth to bottom, on minus-one points.
According to manager Jamie Watt, the root of the problem, which saw an ineligible player “feature” – i.e. be named in the squad – for eight Highland League fixtures, was a missed email from the Scottish FA informing the club the player in question was still registered to his previous club and Dee’s earlier attempt to enter the player into the SFA’s registration system had failed.
In my view, the Highland League management committee had no option but to hand down the 24-point (and £500) punishment.
The rules, which clubs in the division sign up to, state clearly the involvement of an ineligible player in a league match will result in a mandatory three-point penalty.
Rothes and former Highland League club Fort William have been punished under the rule, which was brought in to ensure consistency, in the seasons past, so it would have been unfair to those clubs if Banks o’ Dee had received a penalty of any fewer than three points for each of the eight matches where an infringement took place.
However, I think the vast majority of onlookers who have commented since Dee owned up to their error and revealed the brutal sanction are also sympathetic to the Spain Park club’s situation.
They have really built up a head of steam on the field in recent matches after slow-ish start, and look a very competitive addition to the division. The great shame is it took until their Scottish Cup first round win over Turriff United on September 17 for anyone to realise there was a problem.
Some might ask whether they deserve to be punished for three of the ineligible player’s eight matches in the league, where he was only an unused substitute.
But, again, rules are rules, and the only fair approach is to apply them consistently and to the letter.
Another twisted irony to all this is, had the summer signing involved – or any other unregistered player in fact – only been on trial and as such named as a trialist, he could’ve played three of those eight games without being signed.
Dee to be king-makers?
In a further sickener for Dee, they didn’t have a league game this weekend due to Lossiemouth’s involvement in the Highland League Cup, so couldn’t even start their long road back up the table straight away.
Nevertheless, boss Watt insists his players have taken the blow well and are determined to save their season.
I think most people who have watched Highland League football this term would still back Dee for a comfortable top-half finish, and – should they channel their strength and frustration into the matches still to come– they could even be king-makers whose performances determine who wins the title.
An unsavoury part of the whole situation, which played out on social media, was the suggestion from some quarters someone at Banks o’ Dee had to be punished further over the registration mistake. One comment suggested “heads should roll” at the club.
I think a sense of perspective needs to be maintained. We’re talking about a costly error, which has destroyed Dee’s own chances of being crowned champions this term and has no doubt left supporters disappointed and angry.
But this is part-time football, and the administrative figures who keep cherished old clubs like the Rechabites going are volunteers, committing hours and hours every week outside of their day jobs, or during their years of retirement, to perform tasks which I imagine are often bureaucratic but vital.
These people are the glue ahead of and on matchdays who keep the floodlights on and the pitch in order, who make sure buses are there to take coaching and playing staff all over the north, and they are fed and watered, and who ensure there is tea, coffee and sandwiches available for guests, as well as a plethora of other jobs.
Mistakes happen. Let these crucial components of the club learn from them and move on.
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