WOODBRIDGE Town's season of woe has taken a turn for the worse.

WOODBRIDGE Town's season of woe has taken a turn for the worse, the Evening Star can reveal today.

The Ridgeons League Premier Division club are under investigation for allegedly fielding TWO ineligible players in their 5-1 win at Felixstowe & Walton United on January 2.

The Woodpeckers, if charged and found guilty of the alleged offence, face the prospect of having three points docked and replaying the match at their expense.

The investigation comes less than two months after Woodbridge were thrown out of this season's FA Vase for fielding an ineligible player.

The club were found guilty of playing Ben Miller, who appeared as a late substitute, in their second round tie at Ely City which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time on November 14.

The two players currently under investigation are believed to be left winger Ben Seaman, who scored the opening goal against Felixstowe from the penalty spot, and Glenn Snell, who came on as a substitute just before half time.

Seaman is understood to have been suspended as a result of five bookings while Snell is believed to have been banned for five bookings received while playing for both Woodbridge and Kingsley Healthcare SIL side Framlingham Town.

Nigel Spurling, secretary of the Ridgeons League, said yesterday that he had received notification from Suffolk County FA that an investigation was taking place.

He confirmed he had received correspondence from Suffolk County FA on January 11 which said: “We are looking into two Woodbridge players playing whilst being suspended in the game against Felixstowe last Saturday.”

John Beecroft, the Woodbridge Town chairman, said: “The club are aware of the situation and are dealing with it, but there are circumstances surrounding it that I can't discuss.”

Martin Head, chief executive of Suffolk County FA, sent out a warning to clubs that they must take responsibility over possible suspensions, which come into effect 21 days after a player receives his fifth booking.

He said: “We seem to have had more problems with the system this season than last season when it was introduced.

“Clubs have got to learn they cannot afford to take any chances.

“If they are in any doubt about whether a player is suspended they should contact us and we will do our best to help, but it is the clubs' responsibility to know the situation with regards to their own players.”

If Woodbridge are found guilty and the 5-1 win at Felixstowe is expunged from the records, the Notcutts Park-based club will be dragged further into the relegation battle at the foot of the Premier Division.

They will be left with just six points - one more than second-from-bottom Wivenhoe Town - with the possibility that three clubs could still be relegated despite King's Lynn Reserves' withdrawal.

(blob) AFC Sudbury have made a seven-day approach to sign Seaman, who was a member of Suffolk FA County Youth Cup-winning side of 2008.

Woodbridge's tale of woe

July 30, 2009: Manager Christian Appleford is sacked just nine days before the start of the new season

November 24, 2009: The club is thrown out of the FA Vase for fielding an ineligible player

September 12, 2009 - January 4, 2010: The club goes 15 league games without a win. The club's only 'win' in this period is expunged from the records after King's Lynn Reserve withdraw from the league

January 11, 2010: Suffolk County FA confirm the club is under investigation for allegedly fielding two ineligible players

January 18, 2010: The club are facing the possibility of their best win of the season being expunged from the records and being forced to replay the match against Felixstowe & Walton United at their own expense