JLingz set a shining example for fair play and respect in match against Oldham outfit Santos

The Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League was a pilot league for the original FA Respect scheme, and has continued to support it every season since then.

The league - which features numerous Oldham-based teams - has also had an annual Fair Play award with a club chosen for its good conduct throughout the season being recognised.

With football conduct receiving plenty of attention at all levels this season, there has been plenty of good news in the L and C so far.

The number of yellow and red cards and club misconduct cases are much lower according to discipline secretary John Melia, and referees secretary Russell Hoyte is delighted to be receiving plenty of positive and complimentary reports from his officials about the excellent standards of on and off-pitch behaviour.

New club JLingz, supported by former Manchester United and England player Jesse Lingard, have entered a young and impressive team into the league and they have drawn full praise for the quality of their football and behaviour as they top Division Three.

The young team have fair play and enjoyment of the game drilled into them by their club officials and there was a recent example of this in their top game at Oldham-based Santos, highlighted by referee Paul Grange and Santos manager Ian Ward (pictured above).

Paul, one of the league’s most experienced officials, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to referee the game Santos v JLingz and both teams deserve so much credit.

“J Lingz, all young lads very fast and very skilful, and Santos defended brilliantly to thoroughly deserve a point each.

“The game was played in great spirit with just one caution.

“We even had an incident that has not happened to me before in 35 years of refereeing.

"I awarded a penalty to Jlingz for what I thought was a foul but after a bit of commotion the J Lingz player Michael Shapong came up to me and said ‘Ref I slipped and he did not touch me so could you cancel the penalty’, and after due consideration I did as it was such an honest and sporting gesture.”

Santos boss Ward added: “It was a very competitive game and J Lingz were awarded a penalty on the half hour but sportingly admitted there was no foul committed and asked the referee and asked the referee to cancel the spot-kick which he duly did.

“It was one of the most sporting gestures I have ever witnessed in amateur soccer at this level.”

Russell and fellow league officials were delighted with this report and the L and C Fair Play football was presented to them before their game at South Manchester FC by referee Colin Dineen, to present an L and C football to the club in recognition of the outstanding incident by their player as a terrific example of playing the game we love in the way it should be played.

L and C chairman Mike Yates said: “The league have always been looking to be a shining example of playing very competitive football for enjoyment in the correct sporting spirit, with respect for match officials and opponents and we will be looking to publicise and reward clubs who do this each week.”

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