THE COBBYDALERS lost three points this week without even taking to the pitch after one of their North West Counties League Premier Division counterparts bit the dust.

Stockport Sports were fighting a losing battle to stay afloat and the league confirmed the Cheshire club has been kicked out. It was a move that didn’t surprise Silsden’s club secretary Jim Rosser.

Sports were due to visit the Angel Telecom Stadium on Monday, April 6 but that date will now be free.

Silsden won the reverse fixture 3-1 back in November but the points have been wiped off and Kev Ryan, Chris Wademan and Zack Dale will also have their goals taken away.

Rosser said: “Other clubs will suffer more because some have done the double over Stockport. It’s always a bit messy when a club goes mid-season and I suppose the only winners are the clubs that were beaten by Stockport.

“It won’t surprise a lot of people because, from the outside looking in, they’ve been badly run this last year or so. The main money man pulled out and, after that, the committee men changed that often you never knew who you were dealing with from week to week.

“It ended up with one or two men running around trying do everything and it’s impossible for a club at any level. I just don’t think most people realise just how much goes on behind the scenes to make a football club tick.”

In a statement, the NWC League said: "Stockport Sports have been expelled from the North West Counties Football League, following a vote by member clubs at an extraordinary general meeting this evening. (Monday)

"The meeting was arranged after the club breached several league rules, including failing to fulfil fixtures on three separate occasions, and failing to comply with management committee instructions regarding confirmed notification of venues for their remaining home fixtures.

"The club also has considerable outstanding debt owing to the league.

"At tonight’s meeting, the member clubs voted in favour of Stockport Sports being removed from the competition.

"The playing record of Stockport Sports for season 2014-15 will now be expunged, and all league tables, statistics and records will be adjusted accordingly.

"The club, previously known as Woodley Sports, were members of the League from 1997 to 2004, at which point they were promoted to the Northern Premier League. They rejoined the North West Counties League in season 2012-13 under the new name of Stockport Sports."