FA order league to 'reflect' after Hednesford Town rivals told to 'go f*** yourself'

A league whose former chair told a fan to “go f*** yourself” took an “unfair, illogical” decision in insisting a match be played at a neutral venue.

The Northern Premier League (NPL) ordered FC United of Manchester’s match against Stockton Town, scheduled for April 21, to be played at Curzon Ashton after a series of postponements.

When an FCUM supporter, Aled Duckfield, contacted the NPL’s chair to challenge the decision, he received a reply from its chair Mark Harris stating: “Thank you for your lovely email. Now go f*** yourself.”

The NPL relieved Harris of his duties on April 10, and a week later a Football Association Appeal Board ruled in FCUM’s favour, and said the fixture should be played at Broadhurst Park unless an inspection on April 20 deemed the pitch unplayable.

The Appeal Board’s written reasons found that in insisting the fixture be moved to a neutral venue, the league had come to a decision “which no reasonable such body could have come”.

The board also concluded that the decision had been taken “without any proper assessment of the condition of FCUM’s pitch at the time the decision was made (and) was unfair, illogical and inconsistent with the principles of sporting integrity.”

FCUM issued a statement on Thursday welcoming the Appeal Board’s findings, adding: “This case goes to the heart of how clubs are treated and how decisions are made within our game. Where outcomes have a direct impact on competition integrity, they must be based on proper evidence, fair process and genuine engagement with the clubs involved.

“Those standards are not optional – they are fundamental to the credibility of any competition and must be upheld at all times.

“We expect the Northern Premier League to reflect carefully on these findings and to take the necessary steps to strengthen its governance, leadership and standards of conduct, and to improve how decisions are reached going forward.”

The league issued no comment following the publication of the written reasons but said at the time of the Appeal Board decision on April 17: “The Northern Premier League fully acknowledges and respects the decision of the independent FA appeals panel, to uphold FC United of Manchester’s appeal in respect of next Tuesday’s (April 21, 2026) FC United of Manchester versus Stockton Town fixture.

“We now look forward to the fixture to be played at Broadhurst Park, in what is an exciting end to the Northern Premier League season.”

The match against Stockton Town was ultimately played at Broadhurst Park, ending in a 1-1 draw that stopped FC United going into a three-way fight for the title on the final day of the season, but helped Stockton into the play-offs.

Hednesford Town went into the final day level on points with leaders Hebburn Town, but ultimately had to settle for a place in the play-offs.

The Pitmen beat Stockton to qualify for the final, where they faced Warrington Rylands after FC United lost their semi-final 2-1.

A last-minute goal from George Williams sent the match into extra-time and, ultimately, penalties - on which Hednesford prevailed to win promotion.

Other Midlands clubs who played under the NPL governance this season were Rushall Olympic, Chasetown, Stafford Rangers, Sporting Khalsa, Darlaston Town and Lichfield City.