Monday, May 21, 2012

Harris slams FAW over delayed Holden debut

Luke Holden

LEFT-sided wingman Luke Holden has made a surprise return to Park Hall nearly four years after being released by The New Saints.

The 23-year-old was signed from Chester but was unable to make his debut against Newtown today because of what managing director Mike Harris described as antiquated regulations.
The FAW is unique in Europe in having a transfer regulation which states that a newly-registered player cannot appear until the next "working" day, leaving Holden and the Saints high-and-dry with Monday a Bank Holiday.
Harris slammed the FAW, saying "This transfer regulation is totally antiquated.
"Despite being able to register the player with the FAW on New Year’s Day, we were unable to play him 24 hours later, a rule which does not exist in any other league in Europe."
A left-sided forward who was a Liverpool youth and Tranmere Rovers trainee, Holden first impressed TNS in pre-season games and signed for the club in August 2007.
He was released in April 2008 after making 22 first team starts and followed manager Ken McKenna to Cammell Laird and also played at Bradford Park Avenue before returning to the Welsh Premier with Rhyl in January 2009.
Holden then attracted the interest of Coventry City in the close season but, after failing to agree personal terms, joined Charlton Athletic on loan on transfer deadline day.
He then signed for Wrexham on an emergency loan deal on 1 February 2010 after the Addicks decided not to offer a permanent contract and made 15 appearances before being released.
Holden featured just four times during a spell at Droylsden and has failed to make an appearance since arriving at Chester this season.
Photo: Holden goes down under a Colin Reynolds challenge during a home game with Caersws in 2007/8.

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