BOSTON manager Steve Evans appears to have born the brunt of the FAs investigation into financial irregularities at the Pilgrims York Street ground.

After a month long investigation, Dagenham and Redbridge's title rivals were charged on a huge 16 counts and now Daggers fans and Pilgrims alike await to see what punishment will be given to the club currently in limbo.

Six charges relate to a breach of FA Rule C (j) (i) which refers to the lodging at The Football Association of playing contracts containing false details relating to salaries or other remuneration in respect of the following players, Paul Bastock, former Dagger Ken Charlery, James Dick, Paul Wilson, Simon Weatherstone and Mike Marsh.

None of the players were charged after helping the FA with their enquiries.

But the sucker punch to Boston supporters will be that their manager Evans was in the thick of the investigation. Six of his charges related to the procuring and assisting in the submission of contracts with false details, in respect of the previously named players.

Two charges relate to a breach of improper conduct - and centre on allegations that on June 4 2002, he procured that a cash payment of £8,000 be made to a player in an attempt to mislead, frustrate and impede The F.A. enquiry. Also during the course of the enquiry, he has made further attempts to persuade another player to mislead the enquiry.

Former Chairman and current Director Pat Malkinson faces two charges, one relating to the lodging at The Football Association of one playing contract containing false details and, one relating to the same alleged conduct as Evans, regarding the payment of £8,000 to a player.

Boston now have 14 days to respond, with a hearing convened for July 18 and 19, yet the punishment that they face is somewhat blurred as no one seems to know just what the outcome will be.

Last season Chesterfield almost missed out on promotion after having nine points deducted and were fined £20,000 after being found guilty of financial irregularities.

Even if the Pilgrims were to only be fined - which may be seen by some as just a slap on the wrists - it could rock Boston more than relegation, as they were served with several orders for bankruptcy during their last campaign.

After the fixture lists for Division Three and the Conference have already been drawn up, two weeks earlier than usual, the FA may see a change around in teams as an inconvenience and decide to dock Boston points from their coming season as a Football League club.

If relegated Halifax were handed a reprieve, it is likely to upset Daggers fans who will feel that they deserve to take the free spot after being rightful champions, especially as they only lost out on the title to Boston on goal difference.

Of course the final option is that Boston would not be replaced, yet that would put the fixture lists into disarray at a time when the Football League cannot afford to abandon games without replacing them.

If the Pilgrims were not replaced all Third Division Clubs, already suffering due to the loss of the ITV Digital money, would lose the revenue from one game which many season ticket holders have already paid to attend.

Dagenham chairman Dave Andrews said: "I am very concerned that the team which pipped us for the Nationwide Conference League championship on goal difference just a few weeks ago has now been formerly charged with 'improper conduct' during the course of a season which ended so dramatically and frustratingly for us.

"I believe that it is only fair to our supporters, players and manager that Dagenham & Redbridge should make every effort to see that 'natural justice is seen to be done' within football"

Previous Dagger, Ken Charlery said: "If Boston are denied a spot in the Football League, then justice should be done correctly and Dagenham should take their place."

After playing a role in the FA's inquiries, Charlery was obviously pleased to have the matter dealt with

"I'm not going to say that I was the player who Evans asked to mislead the enquiry, but is he was charged eight times, then I guess it's possible that he tried to get all six of us to do it. I'm just glad that it's all over with now."

June 27, 2002 10:30