Heyside expelled from Tanner Cup

HAPPIER TIMES: Nick Campbell (man of the match in the final) is carried aloft by Heyside chairman Joe Warburton after the Tanner Cup victory.

HEYSIDE, holders of the Tanner Cup, have been expelled from this year’s competition.

In a hard-line move by the Armstrongs office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League, the Little Hey Street outfit have been punished for failing to control their players and spectators.

Heyside’s second team have also been thrown out of the Moore Cup — they defeated Uppermill in last season’s final — and the league have withdrawn the club from the prestigious LCB Cup.

The league have also warned Heyside as to their future conduct, with expulsion from the league a consideration if they transgress again.

Other action taken against the Heyside club —

::Both first and second teams have been deducted 40 points. This is suspended until the end of the 2009 season depending on the behaviour of their players and supporters.

::The club have been fined £200. This is also suspended until the completion of the 2009 campaign and again depends on the actions of their players and supporters.

::The league have reserved the right to take further action on three Heyside players for items posted on the internet in the lead-up to the Tanner Cup final.

A league spokesperson said: “We decided Heyside had not exercised sufficient control over their players and supporters as per ECB guidelines, and that strong action was necessary to protect the reputation of the league.

“There were complaints of foul language at the Moore Cup final and similar complaints of bad language and personal abuse both before and at the Tanner Cup final.

“The league also took a very dim view of actions by some Heyside players in placing abusive items on the internet which resulted in the league taking legal advice.

“It was not pleasant and it could have been considered as incitement. In addition, Heyside failed to respond to letters sent to them by the league which detailed the above concerns.

“This should act as a warning to clubs that the league will not be messed about.”

Heyside have the right to appeal.

In a twist of fate, Heyside were drawn against Bamford Fieldhouse — last season’s beaten finalists — in the first round of this year’s Tanner Cup. But, with Heyside’s ejection, Bamford have been awarded a bye into round two.