Hampton Sports FC Statement

It has been reported recently in the local press, that this season's newcomers Hampton Sports FC, are under investigation surrounding the fielding of an inelible player.

The player in question, Mark Ward, was serving a "sine die" suspension imposed by the Northants FA; due to debts owed to them of £31 from his time with former Sunday Afternoon League club Bluebell (who folded in 2007) but had been playing for Hampton Sports FC for two seasons.

We (PST-UK) felt that, in the interests of sport and fair play, we should give the Club the chance to have a public voice and to comment on these allegations; directly to their peers and fellow local football community members.

As a result, Hampton Sports FC have provided PST-UK with the following statement:

"Following Mr Ward's admission that he had provided misleading information to us and other clubs before joining us, Hampton Sports has accepted without appealing a charge from the Hunts FA in that Mr Ward played for us during a period he was in fact suspended.

We wish to make it clear that we are very disappointed that this was able to happen and whilst we understand there have been in excess of 30 cases of ineligible players playing for clubs this season, being one of those clubs is not something we are in any way proud of.

We recognise that our club is by no means the finished product and is still very much in its infancy particularly with administration but, as a club and team of volunteers we are keen to always try and improve even in the face of all the adversity we have had to endure lately with Neil's death, Drew's cancer and sadly this.

We believe that we can only learn from this experience now as we go forward as there is nobody more sorry than ourselves.

Wishing you all a great summer

Hampton Sports FC"

(The photo is the late Neil Springthorpe's first ever team Hampton team, started back in 2008)