FOOTBALL: Old Newton last night received confirmation that they are champions of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL for the 2009/10 season.

They beat Achilles 4-2 last Saturday and were presented with the Senior Division trophy and medals.

But they were found guilty by the Football Association of playing Lewis Broomfield when he was banned for life.

The FA decided not to take any action, but left the SIL management committee to decide on any punishment.

They had the power to decide what action should be taken and agreed not to deduct any points, which confirms Old Newton as champions one point ahead of Felixstowe United and two ahead of both Achilles and Woodbridge Athletic.

Felixstowe had four points deducted for fielding an ineligible player opening the door to Old Newton to advance over them with their victory last weekend.

In a statement released last night, David Mayes, of the Ipswich & Suffolk League, said: “The management committee of the Suffolk & Ipswich League have met and discussed the case against Old Newton United for playing a sine die player earlier this season.

“The committee decided that although Old Newton were guilty of playing an ineligible player they had carried out all reasonable checks as to his eligibility.

“It was therefore agreed that no further action would be taken against the club, consistent with a ruling made against Ipswich Athletic earlier in the season in similar circumstances.

“The committee also upheld a decision to deduct four points from Felixstowe United for playing a suspended player in December.

“In this case, the player had been sent off whilst playing for the club and was therefore automatically banned 21 days from the offence.

“The committee felt that Felixstowe United were in possession of the facts and had points deducted consistent with similar offences by Ipswich Athletic (different instance to the one above) and Leiston St Margarets earlier in the season.

“The committee was disappointed at the unsatisfactory conclusion to the Senior Division season and felt that the league and its clubs had been let down by poor administration from some referees and inadequate FA systems and procedures.

“Old Newton United have therefore been confirmed as 2009/10 Kingsley Healthcare Suffolk & Ipswich League Champions.”