JIMMY Bell has hit out at the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy rules that led to Accrington Stanley bringing the ineligible Ray Putterill back into their team at the last minute for their ill-fated win at Tranmere.
Stanley have been charged by the FA after fielding Putterill in the game, even though he should have started a suspension a day earlier for an incident in a Liverpool Combination match for Halewood last season.
Stanley could now be kicked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy but only selected the midfielder after the Football League told them they could not field the 11 they had chosen.
“Ray had played a few games recently so we wanted to rest him,” said assistant manager Bell. “We wanted to make eight changes against Tranmere.
“The club secretary made contact with the Football League and we were told we couldn’t name that team.
“They looked at the rules and said we had to play six of the team who play regularly.
“Ray was one of the players who came back into the side.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here