By Chris Dunlavy
AFC FYLDE will unleash Sir Alex Ferguson's legal team as the bitter dispute over Dion Charles' transfer heads to the courts.
Midfielder Charles, who was scouted by a host of Football League clubs last term, signed a two-year deal with the Coasters in September 2015.
However, the FA say they never received the paperwork, meaning the 18-goal wideman was technically a free agent.
Fleetwood swiftly took advantage of the blunder by signing Charles on a free transfer, but their conduct has incensed Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite who branded the League One side “unethical”.
Challenge
The 62-year-old asked the FA to arbitrate, but, with no assistance forthcoming, is preparing a legal challenge to secure a fee for his star player.
“I'm pretty certain it will go to court,” said Haythornthwaite. “What's happened is unethical and it leaves a really sour taste in the mouth.
“There's no doubt that we were at fault with our paperwork. We should have checked at the outset that the FA had received it and that was obviously the big mistake in all this.
“But in normal law, outside of football, a contract is still a contract. Dion had an obligation to his employer and both the player and his agent knew that.
“Fleetwood have got their lawyers involved and have asked to see a copy of the contract. We sent them that on Friday afternoon and we're waiting to hear back.
“But my intention is to take it to arbitration. My legal team have represented Alex Ferguson and are experts in these matters. They've assured me we have a solid case.”
Haythornthwaite concedes that Fleetwood broke no rules by signing Charles but feels chairman Andy Pilley should have had the decency to inquire before completing the deal.
The Fylde chairman also turned his guns on Charles' agent who he accused of “touting” his player around the country.
“Dion isn't blameless,” said Haythornthwaite. “But the agent was a disgrace. Dion didn't even have an agent when he signed the deal so this guy knew he couldn't make any money from him for at least two years. He's clearly got wind of the situation and suggested to the player that he should move.
Checks
“Fleetwood aren't much better. Technically, they haven't done anything wrong, but morally they've broken every rule in the book.
“If one of their best players had suddenly been touted to us as a free agent, I'd have made some checks, just like Nottingham Forest did when Dion was offered to them. And, like Forest, I'd have backed off. But Fleetwood's ethics were non-existent.”
Neither Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley nor Charles' agent were willing to comment.
