CLUB STATEMENT It is with enormous disappointment and sadness that we can confirm Burscough Football Club has been removed from this season’s FA Vase following an unintentional breach of player eligibility regulations. First and foremost, we want to sincerely apologise to our players, management team, volunteers, supporters and everyone connected with Burscough Football Club. This is a decision that hurts everyone involved with our club, particularly after the hard work, commitment and determination shown by our players to earn their place in the next round. We want to be completely open and honest about the circumstances surrounding this situation. Prior to the fixture, checks were carried out regarding the player’s previous involvement in the competition. Unfortunately, despite those checks, an appearance for his former club in an earlier round was overlooked. It was a genuine administrative mistake. There was never any intention to break the rules, mislead anyone or gain an unfair sporting advantage. What makes this situation particularly difficult is that we discovered the error ourselves. From the very moment we became aware of the situation, we chose to act with complete honesty and integrity. We voluntarily contacted the Football Association, explained the circumstances in full, accepted responsibility and cooperated throughout the process. We did not wait for another club to raise a complaint. We did not attempt to hide the mistake. We did what we believed was right, despite knowing the potential consequences for our football club. We firmly believe that the values of a football club should be measured not only by what happens on the pitch, but by how it conducts itself away from it. Honesty, integrity and accountability must always come before personal or sporting gain. That does not make this decision any easier to accept. We are absolutely devastated for our players and management team, who did everything asked of them on the pitch and deserved the opportunity to continue their FA Vase journey. We are equally disappointed for our supporters and volunteers, who give so much of their time, energy and passion to this football club. As a club, we fully accept that the ultimate responsibility rests with us as a club. We made an honest mistake, and we will learn from it. We have already taken steps to review our internal procedures to ensure that an oversight of this nature does not happen again. While we are deeply disappointed by the outcome, we respect the FA’s responsibility to uphold competition regulations. I hope everyone connected with Burscough Football Club understands that, from the moment this issue came to light, we acted in the way we believed our club should always act: openly, honestly and with integrity, regardless of the consequences. Football can be cruel at times, and this is undoubtedly one of the most difficult moments we have faced. But one mistake will not define this football club. We will take responsibility, learn from it, stand together and continue working tirelessly to move Burscough Football Club forward. To our players, staff, volunteers and supporters, I am truly sorry that our FA Vase journey has ended in this way. Thank you for your continued loyalty, understanding and support. We win together. We lose together. And we move forward together.

Six-time French champions Bordeaux, sanctioned in the summer for financial irregularities, will play in the sixth tier of French football this season, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine league confirmed on Thursday. 🔗 aje.news/byglfs

"It’s difficult to say farewell, but let’s remember the good times…" ❤️🥹

Squad 👊

🚨 | MAJOR BREAKING: The UAE is reportedly warning Prime Minister Andy Burnham that it could pull BILLIONS OF POUNDS of future investment from the UK in response to the #ManCity verdict. The threat reportedly includes funding sought for the Oxford–Cambridge tech corridor – billed as Britain’s answer to Silicon Valley. [via @rmendick]