Graham Heathcote, the Altrincham manager, commented on the Robinson Affair in his club's programme for their game against York City last night.
"It is vital that we put suffcient points on the table for the players to prove that they have been good enough to survive in this league. Other events are totally out of their hands [i.e. the Robinson Affair]... The Football Association registration department have informed me that the matter is to go no further from their angle. However, the Conference, under pressure from other clubs at the bottom, will probably take a stance and we will have to put the case to them and if necessary to the FA on appeal.... I take great exception to the Tamworth secretary saying that I am ignorant of the rules. I have dealt with international clearance on many occasions but never once [have done so] in 11 years when dealing with another English club and neither will he have [sought international clearance in such circumstances]. It is interesting that he accuses us of being ignorant but not the actual club who should have dealt with the international clearance issue [i.e. Accrington Stanley]... I would suggest that before the Tamworth secretary comments and [makes] his short-sighted desperate plea for survival for his club off the pitch, he looks at the greater picture for all secretaries in this country".
It's still far from clear whether Altrincham will be penalised for their unwitting mistake, but at present it appears the situation is being fueled by other clubs near the bottom of the Conference who might benefit from any points deduction that might be applied to Altrincham.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Away At Curzon Ashton On Saturday 19th October at 3.00pm