All,

The league would like to provide clarity and transparency regarding a recent Division A fixture and the subsequent league decision, to ensure all teams understand what occurred and how such matters will be handled going forward.

During a Division A fixture between the Railway Inn and Bridge Inn A, the match was played out of the standard 3–3–3 format in order to allow a Railway Inn player to leave early. This arrangement was made between the two captains prior to the match.

Captains do not have the authority to agree changes to match format, time, date, or venue without first consulting the league committee. This position was agreed at the AGM and exists to ensure fairness and consistency across the league.

In this instance, the committee became aware of the intention to play out of format shortly before the fixture commenced. Due to the late notice, and to avoid the fixture being abandoned, the league allowed the match to proceed on an exceptional and strictly limited basis, subject to clear conditions.

Those conditions were that, once the format was altered, the fixture must be fulfilled using a maximum of six players. The Railway Inn captain listed the six players available for the evening and agreed that the fixture would be completed using those six players only. Any late-arriving player could have taken part by replacing one of the original six, provided the total number of players used across the fixture did not exceed six.

Despite this, the match was played out of format and seven players were used across the fixture. Following the match, conflicting accounts were provided regarding the format played. The factual sequence of events was subsequently confirmed, and it was established that the agreed conditions were not met.

The matter was referred to Division A teams for a league decision. Bridge Inn A did not take part in the decision as they were involved in the fixture, and Bridge Inn B did not take part as they are represented on the league committee. The remaining Division A teams voted unanimously in favour of applying a points deduction.

As a result, the following action has been applied:

• A deduction of four league points from the Railway Inn

– Two points relating to the match win

– Two points relating to the use of an additional player after the format had been altered

A formal written warning was issued, and an appeal process was completed. The appeal was not upheld, and the matter is now closed. This case sets a clear precedent for the league going forward and will be used as the reference point for how similar situations are handled in future seasons.

Following the issuing of the written warning, John Pinder has stepped down from his role as captain of the Railway Inn. Steve Steward will act as captain for the remainder of the season.

The league would like to be clear that this decision is not related to player registrations or eligibility. All registered players remain eligible to play. The issue relates solely to the breach of agreed match format conditions on the night.

Looking ahead, the committee recognises that playing out of format has occurred informally in the past. This will be addressed firmly at the AGM, and procedures will be tightened for future seasons to ensure:

• Captains do not agree changes independently

• The league is consulted before any changes are made

• Consistency is applied across all divisions

Finally, the league would like to emphasise that the Railway Inn remains a valued part of the Padiham & District Pool League. This matter is not personal and is not about individuals. It is about applying agreed rules consistently, fairly, and transparently for the benefit of all teams and venues.

The league table has been updated accordingly, and we now move on and focus on the remainder of the season.

Regards,

Padiham & District Pool League Committee