We want to help referees but the FA is a closed shop, says Lincoln City boss
A frustrated David Holdsworth has demanded reform of the Football Association's disciplinary appeal process after claiming it is a "closed shop".
The Imps boss was thwarted in his bid to overturn Jake Sheridan's red card against Dartford on Tuesday and the winger is now serving a three-match ban.
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Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth
Despite having video evidence which City claimed would clear the former Tamworth midfielder, the FA upheld referee Ross Joyce's decision.
It is the second time Lincoln have tried to overturn a red card this season having also failed with a similar bid for Adam Smith's dismissal against Grimsby.
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Holdsworth now wants change in the way the FA handles appeals which cost in excess of £600 to submit.
"I don't think decisions or appeals are just going against us, it's happening all over the league," he said.
"At the minute, the appeal process seems to be a waste of time and money.
"My view and the club's view is that Jake's challenge was an innocent tackle.
"We had a video of it, and thought it was good enough for our case, but unlike the Premier League we do not have a cameras all around.
"Perhaps the time has come now for referees to decide whether players should have their three-match ban upheld rather than a panel.
"He should have the opportunity to see it again and then make his view.
"I would also like to see the officials have microphones.
"If the fourth official can offer a different view at least he has a different angle.
"We are just asking for balance. How can we carry on like this?
"We want to help referees appeal decisions, but, in my opinion, it is a closed shop.
"It's not just for us, but all other clubs at our level. We need change."
Sheridan was a big miss for Lincoln in Tuesday night's defeat at Stockport and he will now sit out important games against Hereford and Barrow.
It was a setback after the win over Dartford, but midfielder Alan Power still believes the Imps are capable of dragging themselves away from danger.
"We know we were capable of getting ourselves up the table," he said.
"In the next couple of games that his what he have to keep on aiming for.
"If we can reproduce the performances like the Dartford one, then we will be fine."
City will look to bounce back against Hereford this weekend and they could receive a massive boost with Mo Fofana close to a return.
The midfielder has not kicked a ball since December, but was seen warming up with the team prior to the game against Stockport.
Holdsworth did not put a timescale on his return to the first team, but says his fitness is getting better all the time.
"Mo has been a big miss for us, but his fitness is getting better all the time," he said.
"When he does return it will be a big boost to us."
3 Comments
by Spilsby
Friday, February 15 2013, 2:20PM
“Speed of teh brain is far far more important than speed of legs.
A very common mistake, and I hate to read the managers words when we get a new signing 'this lad is quick.
Being quick as a full back gets you out of the poo.
Being good as a full back means you do not get in the poo to start with.
Simplistic but true.
So Isambard - I agree with your thoughts on youth football.”
by Isambard_KB
Friday, February 15 2013, 12:11PM
“Good points Nigel. British Cycling now dominates because a strong team led by Dave Brailsford challenge every standard practice and look to improve by a few percent in many small areas. The sum of these small gains gives them a distinct advantage. They have an open mind on everything and transfer training techniques and fitness/performance metrics from other sports such as swimming.
In truth, I don't think that many footballer managers or academy coaches and scouts can spot the best players particularly in boys and youth football. They pick the bigger, stronger, quicker kids at 14 or 15. These kids often don't have the mastery of the ball or the football intelligence and fall away when their size advantage levels out at 18 or 19. They think that they can teach an athlete the game but they can't give a gifted player any pace.
I understand that there is a certain athletic capability required to be a professional but I've heard from several pro coaches that they are coaching 2 players who they think will make it and managing the rest.
Unfortunately, once the squads are established (often at quite a young age) it's very hard for other players to break through. To this extent, football is something of a closed shop.
Up the Imps”
by nigelsparky
Friday, February 15 2013, 9:54AM
“welcome to the world of "Joe Bloggs" Mr Holdsworth.
The world of professional football is a "closed shop" .
How many managers and coaches are not "ex pros"? How many "ex pros" lads are given an opportunity in the game on the back of their dads name?
West Ham fielded 4 of their former players sons the other night, would they have had the opportunity to make their way in the game if their name was "Joe Bloggs"? I doubt it very much, as it's like banging your head against a brick wall to get someone to even come and look at your son, and yes I am fully aware that every parent thinks their son is the next "David Beckham".
But unless you look, you may just be missing something. The structure of the whole game needs a major overhaul, especially where the Academies and centre of excellences are concerned, as there is so much talent here in the UK that goes unseen, as the focus, certainly at the academies, is on "foreign" talent.”