Non-League Football Clubs Across England Slam the FA for Penalizing Them Over Player Bans They Say They Were Never Told About
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Non-League Football Clubs Across England Slam the FA for Penalizing Them Over Player Bans They Say They Were Never Told About

Imagine fighting tooth and nail all season, only to be relegated not because of your performance—but due to an administrative blind spot.

That’s exactly what’s happening across England’s non-league football scene, where grassroots clubs say they’re being blindsided by a broken system that punishes them for fielding suspended players they didn’t even know were banned.

The Suspensions No One Saw Coming

Over a dozen clubs from the seventh to tenth tiers of English football have been hit with point deductions, fines, and even relegation—simply for unknowingly playing ineligible players.

These bans often stem from misconduct in Sunday league matches, but the real problem? The clubs say no one told them.

It turns out the Football Association’s (FA) Whole Game System (WGS)—the portal meant to keep clubs informed about suspensions—is badly outdated.

So outdated, in fact, the FA has admitted it’s no longer fit for purpose and will be replaced next season.

Clubs Left in the Dark, Facing the Fallout

The fallout has been devastating. Take Lydd Town, for example—a club in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division (ninth tier).

They were flying high after winning 14 of their last 18 games, celebrating what looked like a miraculous survival from relegation.

Then came the shock: a four-point deduction that sent them crashing into the relegation zone.

Their offense? Fielding Charlie Dickens, who’d picked up a suspension in Sunday league.

Lydd Town says they had no idea he was banned—and neither did the player himself.

To make matters worse, Dickens’ Sunday league team, Egerton, even admitted they forgot to inform him about the suspension.

Lydd Town Refuses to Go Quietly

Now, Lydd Town is fighting back. Manager Ryan Smith is taking the case to an FA hearing at Wembley on June 13, hoping to overturn the decision.

If successful, another team—Snodland Town—would be relegated instead.

“We’re being punished off the pitch for something completely out of our hands,” Smith told Mail Sport. “This isn’t just a technicality—it’s a blow to everything we’ve worked for.

The FA Cup, our players, our supporters—everything is on the line.”

League Says: Check It Yourself

Despite the uproar, the FA and league officials aren’t budging.

Their stance? It’s the club’s responsibility to know the status of every player.

If someone’s banned—even if no one tells you—you’re still liable.

The disciplinary commission argued that Dickens’ suspension would’ve been visible on the WGS for weeks.

Lydd Town, however, insists it never showed up on their end.

One Dog Walker and a Suspicious Sighting

There’s also growing suspicion that not every club is being held to the same standard.

An anonymous source in Kent described one case where a player’s suspension only came to light because a man walking his dog recognized him on the pitch.

If that’s how enforcement works, you can understand why clubs are frustrated.

Title Races Decided by Admin Errors

It’s not just relegation battles being decided this way—title chases are too.

In the Combined Counties Premier League South, Jersey Bulls and Redhill missed out on the championship because of three-point deductions.

That allowed AFC Whyteleafe to leapfrog into first place.

Jersey Bulls say the confusion stemmed from a yellow card picked up in the FA Vase.

They assumed it counted towards a ten-card suspension, so they voluntarily benched the player—Toby Ritzema—for two games.

Turns out, it didn’t count after all. They played him one game too early.

A Widespread Problem Across the Country

Here’s just a snapshot of the chaos:

Seventh Tier (Step 3):

  • Cray Valley: -3 points

Eighth Tier (Step 4):

  • Grimsby Borough: -3 points

  • Brighouse Town: -3 points (relegated)

  • Tavistock: -1 point

Ninth Tier (Step 5):

  • Jersey Bulls: -3 points

  • Redhill: -3 points

  • Albion Sports: -3 points

  • VCD Athletic: -1 point

  • Lydd Town: -4 points (relegation pending FA appeal)

Tenth Tier (Step 6):

  • Bedlington Terriers: -3 points (already relegated)

  • Dronfield Town: -3 points (already relegated)

  • Appleby Frodingham: -3 points (already relegated)

  • Rochester United: -6 points

Rochester United: Another Tale of Frustration

Rochester United, a tenth-tier side, is another club left bitter.

They were docked six points for fielding Max Morgan—again, they claim they never knew he was suspended.

An independent FA panel found their explanation credible, but the Southern Counties East League refused to hear the same evidence later on.

In a statement, the club wrote: “We’ve never denied the player played.

Our only issue has been that we weren’t told he was suspended.

Sadly, the appeals process felt one-sided and unhelpful.”

The FA Responds, But Clubs Want More

When asked about the controversy, an FA spokesperson defended the system: “The Whole Game System supports over 900 leagues and 18,000 clubs, and ultimately, it’s the club’s duty to check for suspensions.

All bookings and bans are processed according to FA rules.”

But for clubs already on tight budgets and thin rosters, relying on a glitchy portal just doesn’t cut it.

Change Is Coming, But Is It Too Late?

With the WGS finally on its way out, many are hopeful a more reliable system will replace it.

But for the clubs already hit by these hidden suspensions, the damage is done—and the consequences could last for years.

As Lydd Town prepares for their June appeal, one thing is clear: this battle isn’t just about points.

It’s about fairness, accountability, and the future of grassroots football.