Pic: Jon Bromley
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC'S hopes of sneaking into the Ryman South play-offs are over after the club were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.
The Robins would have required a minor miracle to break into the top five with just one game remaining but they now know they are mathematically out of the race.
The club say they were deducted the three points, for fielding unregistered Met Police loanee Mekhail McLaughlin ahead of the 3-2 win at Herne Bay on October 4, in March but were informed on Thursday that their appeal had been unsuccessful.
Carshalton will remain in sixth but, crucially, they are now six points adrift of fifth-place Hastings United with just one game remaining.
A club statement read: “In March the club was the subject of a three-point deduction by the Ryman League for playing an ineligible player in the Herne Bay fixture of 4th October 2016.
“We appealed to the FA against the decision but today (Thursday) the appeal was dismissed, we will therefore have three points removed from our total.
“As a result of the deduction Chris Blanchard tendered his resignation as club secretary, we are hoping that Chris will change his mind and continue his good work as club secretary, he knows that he has everyone's support.”
In more positive news, the Robins have confirmed that, following a meeting with chairman Paul Dipre, manager Peter Adeniyi will remain at the club next season.
Dipre said: “We were all a bit down about not quite reaching our promotion ambition, but I am pleased with the team's progress. I am confident that both Peter and the team will learn from the experience and deliver our ambition next season.”
