DEVON FA is being urged to consider Channings Wood FC as a 'special case' following the prison club's axing (by 34 votes to 11) from the WBW Solicitors South Devon League for failing to fulfil five fixtures last season, writes Gordon Hines.

It would involve overturning a decision 12 months ago when a county FA appeal panel considered they were 'not' a special case.

But it could mean Channings Wood restoring an arrangement with the South Devon League whereby, because of Home Office orders forbidding games outside the prison, they are allowed to play all league matches at home while forfeiting the right to enter cup competitions if and when they apply to re-join the league next June.

The request, termed as 'urgent' and sent to DCFA chief Executive, Paul Morrison, is from Joanne Dickson, the senior officer of HMP Channings Wood Physical Education Department.

And it follows the league's annual meeting a month ago at which she claimed the proposal to debar Channings Wood FC for next season was unfairly conducted for the following reasons:

* They were not given a chance to state their case before voting.

* The proposal was not discussed.

* The floor did not get the opportunity to ask any questions

* They did state what the terms would be, but not why. And

* Several clubs have stated they were 'confused' at what was going on.

Dickson's letter to Morrison was on the back of permission from the Home Office for Channings Wood FC to 'engage in any contact with Devon County FA or the media'.

A copy was subsequently emailed to the Herald Express sports desk by a source outside of the prison, and went on:

"As you may be aware, there has been a great deal of media interest, though we have not engaged in it in any way, shape or form.

"The BBC is extremely interested in bringing a camera crew into the prison, as they and many others are flabbergasted at how we have been treated.

"We are a 'special case', there is no doubt about that. As a prison, we have asked each team to forfeit one home game a season in order to help us aid the rehabilitation of prisoners.

"There are several prisons throughout the country that have the full backing of their local FA: they understand that prisons are different from the normal clubs, but see it as a small price to pay when you look at what is being achieved in the long term."

Dickson's letter goes on:

"I know the FA has an excellent reputation for helping address those less fortunate with social issues or at high risk of offending: surely the way we have been treated goes against all the FA is trying to promote?

"I feel this is partly because of the haphazard way the (annual) meeting was conducted, and ask you to help us."

No-one was available for comment at Devon FA's Newton Abbot headquarters yesterday.