ROSSENDALE have reported Scarborough to the FA for making an 'illegal approach' to midfielder Mark Patterson writes Dany Robson.

The former Rovers and Bolton star has joined the Conference club as player-coach this week and, while Dale don't want to hold the player back, they feel Scarborough have acted 'unprofessionally.'

"The first I knew Mark was leaving was when the lad told me on Tuesday," said boss Jim McCluskie.

"There had been no approach from their chairman to anyone at Rossendale and they should have put seven days on him, and that is just to have permission to speak to him.

"They should have picked the phone up and for a Conference club they have acted unprofessionally.

"We have no bones with Mark and we wish him all the best.

"He has been our most consistent player this season and I, as a manager, have learnt a lot from him.

"I am sorry to see him go, he has had a big influence on the side. He is a great player and I do not like seeing good players go.

"We are just concerned about the way it has been done."

Dale have been on the other side of this early this season when they were found guilty of making an 'illegal approach' to Ramsbottom's Mike Smith.

"The FA made the decision, we had to go along with it but we didn't agree with it," admitted McCluskie.

"We just don't feel Scarborough have acted properly in this case. If they had any decency they would have contacted us."

If Scarborough had given the Dark Lane side seven days, Patterson should have been available for their big UniBond First Division clash at promotion-chasing Leek tomorrow but instead he will be at the McCain Stadium as Boro take on Farnborough.

"We always knew a club might come in for Mark and we wish him all the best," continued the Dale boss.

"He is a big character, he has a lot of enthusiasm and a lot to give to the game but we do feel let down by Scarborough."

But McCluskie won't let Patterson's departure create a hole.

"I have been playing Mark on the left hand side of midfield and now Jerome Fitzgerald is back after suffering a broken wrist and he is a ready replacement. He is a few games off match fitness but he is on his way back."

And McCluskie does have other areas of experience to turn to as former Wigan coaches Colin Greenall and Brendan O'Connell have been turning out in recent weeks.

"We haven't lost since they have come!

"There's are open-ended contracts and they have done well. Colin is a good organiser. He is getting used to the different style of football and, by his own admission, he has been caught out a couple of times.

"It is a big test for myself having the former manager of Wigan in my dressing room!"

Top scorer Craig Sargeson was on the bench for the 3-3 midweek draw with Spennymoor as Carl Howarth, a recent signing from Burscough, started up front with Steve Cunningham.

"I wanted to look at a few things with Carl but Craig scored twice in the reserves during the week so it gives me something to think about."