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3rd place handed 9th tier title after top two are docked points and playoffs can finally go ahead

Chaos in the 9th tier, with 3rd place handed the title after the top two sides are docked points and playoffs can finally go ahead.

On the 18th of April, a day before the last game of the season, the Combined Counties League deducted Jersey Bulls three for fielding a player who should have been suspended in their 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United on the 20th of March.

The club had appealed to the Football Association (FA) to try and overturn the points deduction, but the appeal was unsuccessful.

In a statement Jersey Bulls say the FA’s judgement read:

“Having played an ineligible player, League Rule 6.9 directs that the Club shall have any points gained from the match in question deducted.

“The Appeal Board concluded that there were no exceptional circumstances in this case, and that the process that had been followed was fair.”

It centred on midfielder Toby Ritzema who was given 10 bookings – one coming in the FA Vase. Jersey mistakenly counted that booking as counting towards the 10, and therefore he served a two-match ban in the league when he did not need to.

He subsequently passed the 10-booking threshold in league games, and should have been suspended for the Tooting and Mitcham game.

Leaders Jersey were docked 3 points on eve of final day, dropping to 3rd (with 93 points instead of 96), Whyteleafe lead 2-0 at half time in their final game and looked to be champions, only for Redhill to score in the 93rd minute to snatch the time. Redhill were top with 96 points, Whyteleafe 2nd with 95 points.

Albeit the title still hadn’t been officially confirmed due to Jersey Bulls having 7 days to appeal the decision to deduct them 3 points for fielding an ineligible player.

Then Redhill were deducted three points for the same offence.

This left both Jersey and Redhill on 93 points, Jersey with a better goal difference than Redhill, dropping them below AFC Whyteleafe, who had 95 points. Jersey and Redhill’s deductions confirmed. Jersey finished 2nd, Redhill 3rd.

AFC Whyteleafe, a Surrey club formed four years ago who also finished as runners up in this season’s FA Vase, won the title and earned automatic promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South East.

Jersey Bulls and Redhill would compete in the play-offs against Fleet Town and Cobham.

Jersey Bulls and Cobham made it through to the Combined Counties League Premier Division South Play-Off Final. taking place on Wednesday May 28 with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Jersey beat Fleet on 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Redhill lose 3-2 on penalties to Cobham after a 0-0 draw.

“I feel great that we’ve been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it’s a very strange way to go about it,” Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters told BBC Radio Surrey.

“I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they’ve had, I’ve experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it’s painful.

“But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don’t use them inappropriately and in the end we’ve been a beneficiary of that and we couldn’t be happier to be back in Step Four.”

The original Whyteleafe FC folded in 2021 and the current version of the club was formed shortly after by chairman and co-manager Waters.

‘Leafe entered the Surrey South Eastern Combination League in 2021-22. The club are now back at the same level Whyteleafe FC had been at at the time it folded.

Redhill FC said: “After this afternoon’s news, we drop to 3rd place in the league and into the play-offs. We accept today’s verdict and now move on. Thank you to all that have shown their support and shared their kind words.

“Our focus is now fully on the playoffs and a game that comes around very quickly in three days’ time, as we welcome @Cobham_FC to Kiln Brow.

“@JClark_8 and the players have been working hard behind the scenes, training, playing friendlies to be prepared for the scenario over the last couple of weeks.

“@LewingtonCraig Cobham side come into these playoffs full of confidence after winning the Premier Challenge Cup. Cobham took four points off us during the season, more than any other side in @ComCoFL. We are aware and fully prepared for the challenge ahead against this very good Cobham side.

“Will be great to see a big crowd at Kiln Brow this Saturday to watch one of the most spoken-about playoffs.

“Every disappointment gives you the opportunity to grow stronger”

Jersey Bulls said at the beginning of May: “We can confirm that after consideration, the FA have decided not to overturn the penalty imposed on the Jersey Bulls.

“In a decision received today, the Appeal Board said: Having played an ineligible player, League Rule 6.9 directs that the Club *shall* have any points gained from the match in question deducted. The Appeal Board concluded that there were no exceptional circumstances in this case, and that the process that had been followed was fair.

“We will be deducted 3 points from our league campaign.

“We now turn our attention towards any playoff fixtures. #BackTheBulls”

Twitter users reacted with 3rd place handed the 9th tier title after the top two are docked points and the it meant the playoffs can finally go ahead…

@LFizzia: Any truth that a Jersey v Redhill final will be labelled El Grassico?

@cheztoot: What a shambles and now fleet have minimal time to prepare and get any fans at short notice to jersey

@mercsite: Congratulations to Whyteleafe from Guildford City.. And a Vase final… Thanks for the pre season workout yesterday Good luck in the South East next season 💪🏾🔥🔥 ⚽️

@exmaddecathlete: Fiiiiiiiinnallly! Congrats to @AFCWhyteleafe. I still can’t quite believe I ended my sports reporting stint with a trip to Wembley thanks to you. What a fantastic occasion that was for all your community. Commiserations @redhillfc. Good luck in the play-offs. May see you there.

@alexthemac: Can you imagine if there were no flights available for Fleet to get to Jersey and the league awarded Jersey a walkover!

@wooler65: Com Co FL what a way to run a league. Everyone else knew weeks ago this was the only outcome. Why did you wait so long to deal with Jersey in the 1st place?

@WreccleshamBag1: The outcome we knew that happen three weeks ago – now most lads are on holiday…

@UKCasp: Be a very interesting game if it’s Redhill v Jersey play off final 😳😳😳

@snkentt: Shamblesssss

@JonnyLFC93: Congrats to Whyteleafe. They came to Springfield and actually played football, deserved champions.

@Christo98652283: Shambles… not fair to Fleet Town or Cobham having to wait so long. Piss poor.

@DoddsyBaby: 😂😂😂 Jesus what a shambles

@GuernZdonkie: This is of course subject to appeal 😂

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