THE Derbyshire FA have apologised to Borrowash Victoria for a computer error which led to their game at home to Arnold Town being postponed in bizarre circumstances on Saturday. Players and supporters alike had to be turned away at the gate when the East Midlands Counties League secretary Robert Holmes called off the game within two hours of the kick-off. He had been led to believe that Borrowash had been suspended from football by the county body for non-payment of a fine. However, the Derbyshire FA have now apologised, confirming that Vics are not suspended, nor is any fine outstanding.

The apology has come as a big relief to the club, who have had a troubled season, with a series of break-ins and vandalism at their Borrowash Road, Spondon, ground setting them back in terms of fulfilling fixtures and financially.

“It was an embarrassing situation having to turn both sets of players and the supporters away at the gate,” said manager Steve Hamilton.

“We knew what the situation was but it was a complicated issue to explain to people in a few words.

“I would rather the whole thing had not happened but I want to commend the Derbyshire FA and their chief executive, Dawn Heron, for accepting that we were not in the wrong and apologising fully.”

The situation centres around a booking picked up by Vics in a recent game. Bookings incur fines for the players concerned from the FA.

The fine was issued to Sam Kellogg but the club say that it was actually his brother, Thom, who was booked.

A referee’s report from the game is still awaited before the situation can be resolved.

However, the Derbyshire FA issued a letter saying that the club had been suspended from football for non-payment of the fine.

The EMC League secretary said: “At 1pm on Saturday the league became aware that a suspension notice had been issued by the Derbyshire FA on Borrowash Victoria FC.

“Despite attempts to raise the Derbyshire FA for an explanation it did not prove possible to do so by kick-off time.

“Under the circumstances, the League had no authority to over-rule the letter and as a consequence the match was postponed under my authority as league secretary.”

However, after a meeting with the club, Heron issued a statement exonerating the club of blame.

It said: “Further to your email and the distress and embarrassment caused to members of Borrowash Victoria FC, Derbyshire CFA wish to convey their apologies for the computer error/mis-administration which led to the postponement of your fixture against Arnold Town.

“I can confirm that Borrowash Victoria are not suspended, as the case in question is being appealed.

“Due to a cross-over of computer systems there was an error in the process and we will be working with the FA to rectify this problem.

“Borrowash Victoria are not to blame for the error and only acted through correspondence that had been generated.”

Sooo now we have cleared that little matter up lets look forward to an incident free Saturday and Welcome Holwell Sports to the Anderson Electrical Arena tomorrow.

Here's hoping for a dream ending and not the Nightmare version

Hope to see you all tomorrow....