2:30pm Thursday 4th April 2013
FUMING chairman Trevor Thomas says no club shall “run riot” over Cradley Town after reporting neighbours Causeway United to the FA.
United could now face punishment after being accused by the Hammers of making illegal approaches for defender Danny Cox and midfielder Jonathan Neate.
Thomas has also become embroiled in a war of words with Causeway manager Andy Mole, claiming he has contacted Cradley players by phone in an effort to unsettle them.
Mole was briefly in charge at West Midlands Premier outfit Cradley earlier this season but left after just 32 days for Midland Alliance side Causeway.
Thomas said: “It’s quite simple really.
“They tried to sign Jonathan Neate and Danny Cox but they didn’t put in the seven days.
“We have been having hassle off them anyway, though when I say them, I think it’s more Andy Mole.
“He has been ringing our players up and our manager Duane Darby is furious.
“They will not run riot over Cradley Town. If they want to sign our players they must go through the proper channels.”
Cradley say Causeway spoke to both players at the same time they made an official seven day approach for Will Tibbetts, who has opted to stay at Beeches View Avenue until the end of the season.
But Mole has hit back, saying Neate and Cox had not featured for Cradley since he left the club as manager in January.
He also denied the claims of trying to unsettle Cradley players.
Mole said: “I find it a little bit sad in a way.
“They have not played for Cradley in months, since I left in fact.
“All this is doing is stopping these guys playing football, it’s not like I’m taking players out of Duane’s squad.
“As for saying I’ve been ringing up players, it’s simply not true.
“That is not my way, it’s not what I’m in the game for. There is no way in a million years I would do something so disrespectful.”
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Causeway picked up another point in their battle for Midland Alliance survival with a 0-0 draw against Gornal Athletic on Monday.
Aaron Lloyd, who is usually deployed as a striker, excelled in an unfamiliar centre-back role to aid his side’s defensive shortages.
This Saturday Causeway host Coleshill Town in what Mole has termed a “relegation six pointer.”
He said: “If we can win it will really put some distance between us.
“In the last few weeks we’ve started to play with the spirit which was missing before. I’m confident we will be able to get ourselves away from danger.”
Cradley returned to action with a 2-0 home defeat to Bartley Green on Tuesday night.
Darby’s side host Woverhampton Sporting Community this Saturday.
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