Post by evening post on May 28, 2006 19:21:33 GMT
News
IT'S A FIX!
Coach told kids to lose vital match
Exclusive
By Mark Lavery
A FOOTBALL coach has been forced to resign after telling a team of 11-year-olds to throw a vital match.
Ossett Town coach Paul Hitch told his under-12 team not to defend a throw-in during a junior soccer gala competition.
His bemused young players – including his own son Joe – duly obliged and stood by to let the opposition, another Ossett Town team, score to win the match 1-0 and progress to the next stage of the contest.
The incident sparked outrage among other clubs from across West Yorkshire that were taking part.
When the two Ossett Town sides faced each other in the final game of the group stage Mr Hitch realised the other Ossett team needed a victory to secure a place in the next stage at the expense of Wakefield's Thornes Juniors.
But his match rigging plot had a fatal flaw. He was rumbled after asking players to take a dive, within earshot of an official from Thornes.
Faith
Now Mr Hitch, who was pre-match announcer for the senior first team, has resigned in disgrace as officials scramble to restore the club's credibility with shocked teams from neighbouring towns.
He has left his post as vice-chairman of the junior arm of the club, which has around 20 teams, and as a coach for the U12s.
An Ossett town insider, said: "He has brought embarassment to the club. What sort of example is it to kids who are really keen, especially with the World Cup coming up? The kids were upset and crying. They don't like being told to lose."
And Phil Thompson, manager of the club's under-16 side, said: "The Junior Management Committee has still to consider how we can restore faith with our footballing neighbours. We can only apologise to all concerned."
The Ossett club has sent letters of apology to Thornes and Rothwell U12s, who were in the same group in the competition.
Rothwell U12 boss Paul Walker said: "It's kids' football and you don't expect that sort of thing happening."
Tournament organisers went to great lengths to make amends after discovering the match-fixing plot. They declared the rigged match null and void and arranged a play-off between the winning Ossett side and Thornes Juniors, who won fair and square.
"The moment I said it I realised I had made a mistake," admitted Mr Hitch, who runs an Ossett newsagents. "It was terrible sportsmanship, but I can't turn the clock back. I'm an honourable person and I've resigned and apologised to anybody who would listen."
mark.lavery@ypn.co.uk
IT'S A FIX!
Coach told kids to lose vital match
Exclusive
By Mark Lavery
A FOOTBALL coach has been forced to resign after telling a team of 11-year-olds to throw a vital match.
Ossett Town coach Paul Hitch told his under-12 team not to defend a throw-in during a junior soccer gala competition.
His bemused young players – including his own son Joe – duly obliged and stood by to let the opposition, another Ossett Town team, score to win the match 1-0 and progress to the next stage of the contest.
The incident sparked outrage among other clubs from across West Yorkshire that were taking part.
When the two Ossett Town sides faced each other in the final game of the group stage Mr Hitch realised the other Ossett team needed a victory to secure a place in the next stage at the expense of Wakefield's Thornes Juniors.
But his match rigging plot had a fatal flaw. He was rumbled after asking players to take a dive, within earshot of an official from Thornes.
Faith
Now Mr Hitch, who was pre-match announcer for the senior first team, has resigned in disgrace as officials scramble to restore the club's credibility with shocked teams from neighbouring towns.
He has left his post as vice-chairman of the junior arm of the club, which has around 20 teams, and as a coach for the U12s.
An Ossett town insider, said: "He has brought embarassment to the club. What sort of example is it to kids who are really keen, especially with the World Cup coming up? The kids were upset and crying. They don't like being told to lose."
And Phil Thompson, manager of the club's under-16 side, said: "The Junior Management Committee has still to consider how we can restore faith with our footballing neighbours. We can only apologise to all concerned."
The Ossett club has sent letters of apology to Thornes and Rothwell U12s, who were in the same group in the competition.
Rothwell U12 boss Paul Walker said: "It's kids' football and you don't expect that sort of thing happening."
Tournament organisers went to great lengths to make amends after discovering the match-fixing plot. They declared the rigged match null and void and arranged a play-off between the winning Ossett side and Thornes Juniors, who won fair and square.
"The moment I said it I realised I had made a mistake," admitted Mr Hitch, who runs an Ossett newsagents. "It was terrible sportsmanship, but I can't turn the clock back. I'm an honourable person and I've resigned and apologised to anybody who would listen."
mark.lavery@ypn.co.uk