Holker Old Boys AFC wish to express our deep disappointment at the decision made by the Football Association to order a full replay of our recent FA Vase fixture against Wythenshawe FC.

This decision has arisen solely due to an error made by an FA-appointed and qualified referee, who failed to correctly apply the laws of the game during the penalty shootout. At the time, Holker Old Boys acted entirely in accordance with the referee’s instruction - an instruction which has since been deemed incorrect by the FA itself.

It is extremely concerning that a referee appointed to an FA competition was unable to interpret and apply such a fundamental law of the game correctly. If the officials entrusted to enforce the rules are not clear on them, it raises serious questions about how players, coaches and supporters can have confidence in the integrity of the process.

As a result of this error, our club now faces unnecessary financial and logistical burdens, including the costs associated with a replay, lost prize money, and the rearrangement of a scheduled league fixture. These impacts are significant for a grassroots football club such as ours, where resources are limited and every pound makes a difference.

We firmly believe that clubs should not be penalised for the mistakes of officials acting under the authority of the governing body. The players earned their result on the day, and we maintain that the outcome of the original fixture should stand.

Holker Old Boys AFC have always approached the FA Vase with respect and pride, viewing it as a prestigious competition within the game. We hope the FA will recognise the seriousness of this situation and ensure that appropriate lessons are learned to prevent similar incidents in future.