Bury to appeal against FA Cup axe

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Bury have announced that they will appeal against the decision to throw them out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player against Chester.

Manager Chris Casper offered to resign after the Football Association ejected Bury for fielding Stephen Turnbull in a second-round replay on 12 December.

Bury director Iain Mills said: "We find it unusual we have the right to appeal and will gladly take that road.

"We will work now to get this matter back to the FA on 28 December."

The club are disappointed by the decision and that they have received such a severe punishment Bury statement

Turnbull is on loan at Bury from Hartlepool but the club did not get permission to play him in the FA Cup.

But Casper is hopeful that the club's supporters can play a role in persuading the FA to allow the Shakers back into the competition.

"Maybe the fans could get together and voice their opinion," Casper told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Maybe there is something a bit of fan power can do. Everyone I have spoken to is 100% convinced that we have been harshly treated".

Bury revealed in a statement that Casper had offered to resign over the incident.

606: DEBATE <a class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A18324317"> Well done to Bury FC to being honest enough to hold their hand up to a mistake</a> EW <a class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/606/default.stm">606: Have your say</a>

"On Monday of this week, (18 December), Chris Casper offered Bury Football Club his resignation," the statement read.

"This offer was refused instantly by the board of directors."

The statement also said that it was Bury who had informed the FA of the mistake and that they felt the decision to eject the club from the Cup was unduly harsh.

"The club are disappointed by the decision and are concerned that having been truly open and totally transparent and honest about a genuine mistake that they have received such a severe punishment.

"Had the club not notified the FA, there was every chance with the holiday period and then the forthcoming transfer window that the error could have been easily overlooked by the FA."

Bury FC accepts that they are at fault Bury statement

The statement also explained how the error came about.

"Manager Chris Casper spoke to Danny Wilson, manager of Hartlepool United, to request permission for Stephen Turnbull to play in the second-round replay at Chester," the statement read.

"Mr Wilson gave the Shakers verbal permission and stated that he would speak to the secretary at Hartlepool to ensure that all the relevant paper work was sent to Bury FC and the FA.

"Chris Casper was on the understanding that Hartlepool United were going to complete the paperwork and forward it on to Bury and the FA.

"Hartlepool United believed there to be a potential problem in this, the paperwork was never sent.

"Having said that, Bury FC accepts that they are at fault, but would like to thank Hartlepool United for their support and letter of support to the FA."