Ward takes action over dismissal

Former Middlesbrough and Chelsea star Paul Ward is taking Harrogate Town Football Club to an industrial tribunal over what he claims is unfair dismissal.

His case against the UniBond League First Division side is expected to be heard at Leeds in February.

Ward, 36, who was sacked by the club at the end of August after just seven months as manager.

He was the third manager to leave the club in les than 12 months, the others being Paul Marshall and Glen Liddle.

Ward was appointed at Wetherby Road to take Harrogate into the Premier Division, but was just establishing himself as manager when the club surprisingly announced he had been dismissed.

Ward, who runs a fitness centre near Doncaster, said he was fighting to clear his name after Town said he had been dismissed for 'non-footballing reasons'.

Ward has contacted the Professional Footballers' Association, who have given him help and advice.

He said: "I have nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of.

"That is why I am taking this to a tribunal."

Ward said he would not be seeking another club until the tribunal was out of the way. Meanwhile, he was keeping busy running his family business.

Ward was replaced by former Harrogate Railway boss Dave Fell, who had joined the Wetherby Road outfit in the summer to work alongside Ward.

Ward said he had now sent off papers concerning the case to the tribunal office. He said Town now have 21 days to respond.

Town chairman Maurice Hammond was unavailable for comment but a spokesman at the club said no offical notification had been received about a tribunal, but if they did Town would strongly defend it.

A waterlogged pitch put paid to Harrogate Town's match at Netherfield Kendal on Saturday.

Town play host to Liversedge tomorrow night, kick-off 7.30pm in the second round of the West Riding County Cup.

Harrogate Railway Athletic looked set to ease their Northern Counties East League premier division relegation fears after taking a 1-0 lead over fellow strugglers Maltby Main.

Mark Emptage, stepping up from the second team, put the Railwaymen in front on the stroke of half-time.

But Maltby hit back with two goals in as many minutes midway through the second-half through Mark Smith and Stuart Copnell.

For the second Saturday in succession, Selby Town fell victim to the weather. The Robins were due to play Staveley Miners Welfare.

They will be hoping for better look tomorrow for a scheduled West Riding County Cup match at Eccleshill United, kick-off 7.30pm.

In division one of the NCEL, a Kevin Severn sucker punch in the sixth minute was enough for Goole at Pickering Town.

The Pikes had most of the possession but poor finishing meant Goole were able to hold out for all three points.

Struggling Tadcaster Albion were relieved of duties by the weather for the visit of fellow re-election threatened Rossington Main.

In the West Yorkshire League premier division, Nestle Rowntree were denied a chance to rack-up their 12th victory in a row at the expense of Rothwell Athletic by the weather.

Second placed rivals York RI missed out on a chance to close the gap at the top by going 4-2 at home to Nostell Miners Welfare.

In the only premier division match of the weekend, the win enabled Nostell to draw level on points with RI, who tackle Nestle this week.

Darren Copton, Colin Williamson, Paul Cooper and sean Hammond were on target for Nostell, who have three games in hand.

Knaresborough Town enjoyed their break from league action to move into the fourth round of the West Riding Challenge Trophy with a comfortable victory over Warley Town.

Steve Bradley led the way for Town with a hat-trick and Graham Holman, Simon Cowan and Peter Biggs alos scored in a 6-1 win.

Only a handful of games survived in the WYL division one. Ripon City Magnets put 11 past Barwick without reply while Selby RSSC beat Garforth WMC 7-1.

The Northern Youth Academy game against Brazilian tourihng side Liga Iguacuense at Thackley, which was to have featured three New Earswick players - Tom Reid, Adam Wash and Liam Gray - was called off because of the weather.

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