Ash's sadness at league ruling (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Ash's sadness at league ruling

7:30am Friday 29th February 2008

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Ashley Pereira has expressed his sadness at the news Walton Town have been expelled from the Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League.

The FC Clacton midfielder has strong links with the coastal side, having played for them for several years before joining the Seasiders in October 2006.

Walton have been expelled from the league for bringing the competition into disrepute.

They have had three matches abandoned this season after violence erupted and a fourth was very nearly called off, until a member of the league's management committee intervened and persuaded the referee to continue.

Their poor disciplinary record led to a special Border League meeting being called at Stanway Rovers.

And the vast majority - 42 out of 46 - voted for them to be kicked out with immediate effect.

They cannot seek readmission for five years and this season's results will be expunged from the records.

Pereira told the Gazette: "It's a real shame and sad for the club and town.

"I don't think they can have too many complaints about the decision.

"Rules are in place for a reason and if they're broken there's bound to be a strong punishment.

"But I just think it's sad that a small minority have ruined it for everyone, because there's a lot of very good people involved at Walton.

"Some of them work so hard behind the scenes and it's a pity that their efforts have been kicked into touch.

"It's a shame the whole club have been punished, rather than just the guilty culprits."

Town chairman Kelvin Bygrave declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Pereira's Clacton enjoyed a 2-1 success against Saffron Walden Town in Ridgeons League division one on Saturday (see page 70).

The Seasiders host Whitton United this weekend and Pereira said: "We've had three very good results recently and it's been helpful that some of the teams above us have slipped up."

On Tuesday, Clacton go to Maldon Town in the second round of the East Anglian Cup.

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