MARLOW Park have been crowned champions of Thames Valley Division 3B after winning their appeal against having points docked.

They were deducted 37 points by the league’s Player Eligibilty Sub-committee for fielding an ‘ineligible player’ – a decision which saw them finish fifth in the table.

But Marlow Park appealed the ruling and, in accordance with TVCL match rules, the penalty was suspended for the duration of the appeal process.

Marlow subsequently won that appeal this week to be crowned champions.

A Thames Valley League statement said: “Marlow Park's appeal was upheld because they provided suitable additional evidence during the appeal hearing that the player was actually eligible to play for them from the beginning of the season and hence no player eligibility rules had subsequently been broken.

“This decision is final and binding and the matter is now closed.”

 Park are not naming the player at the centre of the storm and the 37 points they were docked relate to the number of points they won in the two matches he played in.

If they had not been able to provide the sufficient evidence that he was suitably registered, Marlow Park would have finished 22 points off the top spot in fifth position.

But now that their appeal has been upheld, they take top spot with Chenies and Latimer second. Both clubs will now be promoted.

Amersham miss out. They would have been promoted as runners-up had Marlow Park’s appeal not been upheld