Conference report says there's nothing wrong

A sub-committee were appointed to look at the league's administration after four clubs had points deducted for fielding unregistered players.

There was concern the league had been relying on random checks on players' registration - something which, in Bognor's case, meant a player, Sam Pearce, was playing for more than two months while not eligible.

The report arising from the review has done little to satisfy fans who feel the league was at fault for employing such a system.

Fans are pledging to fight on, with Bognor, Oxford and Mansfield fans banding together to lobby the FA over the saga.

They're also unhappy the Conference have complained about unwarranted abuse being directed at them via supporters' trusts.

A statement from the Conference chairman Brian Lee said: "The Football Conference sub-committee have concluded their review of the organisation and procedures at the Birmingham office.

"Since Mansfield Town were discovered to have played an unregistered player in the first week of the season, random checks of teamsheets using a similar system to those undertaken in other leagues found three other clubs had also played unregistered players. These clubs were also dealt with in accordance to the rules.

"Whilst the breach of rules quite naturally attracted a lot of attention, it is important to note that 21 clubs in the Blue Square Premier, and 64 clubs out of 68 in the whole competition, had abided by the rules.

"The review sub-committee would like to emphasise to all clubs that it remains their sole responsibility to ensure that all players are correctly registered before making them available for selection.

"To play an unregistered player is an absolute offence for which the penalty is the deduction of points.

"The board of directors recognise that they have a hard working and committed staff in the Birmingham office who have received an unfair amount of criticism over the last few months.

"The continued support of clubs, who continue to have confidence in them, has been most welcome.

"The Football Conference has also received negative communications and in some cases unwarranted abuse via supporters' trusts.

"These groups have been unaware of all the facts and the legal implications both of clubs complying with the Rules and the absolute obligation of the board to apply the same.

"Communications of this sort does nothing for the game we all love or the clubs they support.

"The review sub-committee are satisfied that all the necessary office systems are in place, but will continue to monitor and observe any new procedures being developed in the national game that will further enhance the operations of our competition and the communications with our clubs, supporters and partners."