By Graham Barnstaple
November 10 2011

Non League Spartans have been thrown out of the Scottish Cup after fielding an ineligible player in the last round.

Spartans have been thrown out of the Scottish Cup for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over Culter. Striker Keith McLeod signed a new contract in the summer but it was dated only once and the Scottish Football Association want it to be signed twice.

This means opponents Culter will now play against Partick Thistle in the third round at Firhill on Saturday.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said the club were "disappointed" by the ruling, adding: "We wish Culter well against Partick Thistle [in round three]." Spartans have also received a £4,000 fine suspended for 12 months.

This seems harsh once again given Spartans are run by volunteers and someone has made a slip in the forms sent to the SFA. It makes you wonder why someone at the SFA couldn’t have picked up the phone in the summer and advised Spartans the form hadn’t been filled in properly.

Surely these smaller clubs should be given all the help they need to exist in the game rather than meting out punishments like this one!!