Non league Twitter spat embroils over controversial FA Vase decision

A non league Twitter spat embroils over a controversial FA Vase decision announced via social media on Saturday afternoon.

Seaham Red Star of the Northern League Division One have revealed that they have been reinstated back in the competition following their loss to North Ferriby.

The game played out to a 2-2 draw on the 29th of December, before going on to penalties with North Ferriby winning it 7-6.

However, following a statement being issued on Saturday the 23rd of January, it’s been confirmed that the game will have to be replayed.

Seaham Red Star wrote: “We will replay our FA Vase tie away to @north_ferribyfc after it was proven that our opponents had played an illegible player in the original match, this decision was made by the @FA following an appeal, date of fixture TBC.”

North Ferriby, who play in the Northern Counties East League Division One, hit back: “The club are reeling from this decision, having been confirmed by the FA’s legal team that neither Iwan or the Club are charged of any wrong-doing.

“The new date for this fixture will be announced in due course.

“The club will make no further comment on this matter.”

Seaham quickly replied to their tweet, saying: “You’s played a suspended player on a night when we couldn’t play our two suspended players? it’s your clubs responsibility to adhere to the rules, it was obviously a mistake on your part and we look forward to the replay whenever/if that happens 👍”

A club statement from North Ferriby read: “On the 19 December, 10 days prior to the Second Round tie, the FA confirmed Iwan Heeley was eligible to play against Seaham. On the 22 January, the FA acknowledged we had been given misinformation.

“As a consequence, the FA regulatory advocate confirmed the club had diligently taken all reasonable efforts to establish eligibility and were exonerated. In such circumstances, the competitions sub-committee deemed there was no grounds to expel North Ferriby, yet ordered a replay.”

Adam Lowthorpe, CEO of East Riding County FA commented: “I share your disappointment and anger, especially as the club couldn’t have done anything more, presented a strong case and were a wholly innocent party in all of it”.

North Ferriby added: “To add to the FA’s incomprehensible handling of this matter, it was further established that the FA’s competitions department had issued its ‘Third Round guidance literature’ to the wrong club. A club not even participating in the competition!

“As is the case with FA matters, their decision is final and binding.”

The draw for the next stage of the competition had already been set with North Ferriby being drawn at home to Northern League Division One’s West Auckland Town.

It was originally scheduled for the 9th of January 2021, however Fourth Round Proper ties ended up getting postponed due to the Covid pandemic.

Fans reacted as the non league Twitter spat embroils over a controversial FA Vase decision… see how it played out below!

@bigcbeat: Should they not have been thrown out?

@AndyClark5: No because we were found not guilty. You’ve only been given a snapshot of the facts otherwise of course we would have been thrown out.

@SeahamRedStar: The breach of the rules was PROVEN hence the replay

@jacksalt23 (North Ferriby social media manager): The breach of the rules was proven AFTER A COMMUNICATION ERROR hence the replay. Get your facts right before you put it on your club account – it’s very unprofessional.

@SeahamRedStar: Sorry? What exactly have WE done wrong? I think you will find that we have done nothing wrong and that in fact it’s yourself that is letting yourself down with childish tweets, I would suggest you take a sabbatical from social media

@jacksalt23: Don’t remember saying you’ve done something wrong? Just saying get your facts straight first

@SeahamRedStar: The facts are that you’s played a player that shouldn’t have played, that’s not our fault it’s either your secretary’s fault or someone’s else’s, it’s not our fault that’s for sure, we communicated the above via social media, sorry if you think differently

@jacksalt23: Nobody has said it’s your fault

@SeahamRedStar: You asking us to get our facts right? What facts have we got incorrect?

@jacksalt23: Not necessarily just the club, but people surrounding the club who don’t know the full story. Looking forward to seeing you whenever we can get it o.

@SeahamRedStar: Thank you for that, look forward to the replay and it’s unfortunate that this error has happened, hopefully see you soon

@hazey5786 on the non league Twitter spat as seen above: Looks like the child gave his phone back to his dad

@AndyClark5: You know there’s more to it. Guess the truth doesn’t fit your agenda. No worries

@LincolnMariner: Is this account being run by an argumentative teenager!? So unprofessional!!

@Bob23496800: Nothing new here then?? Just another example of incompetence by those who govern at FA.

@stuartjpage: What an absolute disgrace. It was the fault of the FA. Why on earth should you have to replay the game. Everything was done above board. All down to the incompetence of the FA

@smudge663: Wasn’t it the Same FA who has expunged North Ferriby United exploits from all records. These incompetent idiots

@MartinJStead: Oh come on @FA, what an absolutely nonsense decision. Admit it was your error and reverse this perverse decision.

@1904Irrelevants: Absolute shambles and sh*t show from @FA. There’s a shock.

@2010Villagers: As usual people will jump in and not listen to the facts… NOT GUILTY. Therefore game is replayed and we aren’t thrown out. Ah well just beat them again #UTV

@hazey5786: Beaten them once can do it again

@JasonRead9: So we go again! Heads up lads, you can do this

@joshbatty1995: Just do em again and leave a few on them

@HcafcHarry: Just beat em again lads