RHOSTYLLEN have been hit with a 54-point deduction by the Football Association of Wales because of a player registration mix-up with the Welsh National League’s leading scorer Tom Douglas.

A week after their ground - at a cost of ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ - was passed fit by the FAW for meeting tier three criteria, the Wrexham-based Premier Division club were rocked by the news that Douglas, who scored 30 goals in his debut season, wasn’t signed on properly.

Committee member Josh Jones said: “On the 26th June, we were informed by the FAW that we had breached FAW Rule 68 regarding the registration of attacker Tom Douglas.

“The charge was in relation to not having the sufficient International Transfer Clearance. Tom was signed on the 26th July and his form was submitted on the 27th, far in advance of the up and coming season.

“Tom had previously played Sunday league football so when asked about previous clubs he stated he had only played on a Sunday and therefore our old secretary did not state a previous club.

“On his registration form, pre-submission, we correctly filled in his address and nationality. Submitted successfully, now registered on the Comet system, being used in the Welsh football pyramid, we as a club presumed that he was officially registered and could be played.

“This season has been unusual to say the least. On May 19 it was announced that the club had finished second on the Points per game system. This was a massive achievement for our small club.

“It was testament to the players, Warren and Ian; and a fair reflection of the hard work they had put in.

“During all this, the committee had been hard at work ensuring the club made all the necessary improvements to our facilities to meet the tier three criteria.

“Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent by the club to meet this strict criteria. This has now unfortunately left us without any chance of an appeal as the FAW make it too costly.

“Last week, we were informed we passed the ground inspection for tier three, however now we wait in limbo as we have been hit with a 54-point deduction.

“We as club accept any wrongdoing and want to help ensure no other club falls foul of this extremely simple administrative error.”

Douglas had committed to the club for next season with Rhostyllen confirming a host of last term’s squad are remaining.

Aaron Edwards, Steven Jones, Dean Jones, Josh Jones, Adam Williams, Kevin Roberts, Drew Wickens and Lee McBurney have all confirmed that they are staying.

Brymbo have also been busy tying down members of their 2019/20 squad ahead of the return to action - whenever that may be.

Key defender Vita Mbolokele was one of the first to sign, with Mark Beech, Lewis Hone, Lewis Clarke, pictured, Mamadie Sheriff, Jack Ford, Jamie Cumming and Billy New joining him.