LOAN ROW
Former Rangers star at the centre of extraordinary row as club threaten legal action if he plays in cup final
It all kicked off 24 hours before the final but authorities reckon there's a rule mix-up.
POLLOK and Darvel are going head to head this afternoon in the West of Scotland League Cup final at Broadwood.
But the junior giants have already butted heads in an extraordinary row pre-match.
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It all centres around Darvel midfielder Kyle Hutton.
The ex-Rangers midfielder has Champions League appearances to his name, but is on loan in Ayrshire from the 'Lok.
But with both teams vying for some silverware this season an objection has been issued from Newlandsfield - and the Glasgow side have threatened LEGAL ACTION in their loan row.
The cash-strapped Lok don't want their contracted star playing against them and potentially jeopardising their trophy chances.
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But Darvel have DENIED their bid to have Hutton sidelined for the big match - and defiantly named him in the starting line-up.
They reckon they have the authorities on their side too, and will support Hutton if there's any fall-out continuing after the game.
The shock news came just 24-hours before kick-off at Cumbernauld.
A club statement said: "Yesterday, Saturday 27 April 2024, we received correspondence from Pollok Football Club that they have raised an objection to Kyle Hutton, a player on loan to Darvel from Pollok, playing in the West of Scotland Football League Cup Final.
"Pollok have intimated that they would instigate legal action should Kyle Hutton play for Darvel against Pollok.
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"Having consulted with the West of Scotland Football League, Darvel Football Club have received the following information.
Kyle Hutton
"There is no rule in the WoSFL constitution that prevents a player on loan to another club from playing against his parent club. Therefore, we would not recognise a player who does play against his parent club as an ineligible player. The League are not aware, and do not need to be aware of, any agreements between clubs in the transfer of players, whether permanent or on loan.
"In addition, previous communications have stated that it has been brought to our attention that some clubs, whether either loaning players to other clubs on temporary transfers, or in some cases a permanent transfer to another club, are inserting clauses into transfer agreements that the player is not able to play against his parent or former club.
"Please note that any such clause is invalid and can not be enforced as the WoSFL has no rule that prevents a player from playing against his parent or former club.
"We believe that some clubs may be getting confused with the SPFL rules. To clarify, players on loan from another WoSFL club are eligible to play against their parent club . . . . irrespective of any clause that may be in any agreement.
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"In addition, the Scottish Junior Football Association also states that any temporary which stipulates when, or against whom, the player may or not play is not acceptable.
"This is not simply a normal game. It is a cup final. It is a cup final the players have earned and Kyle Hutton is fully supported by Darvel Football Club."
Lok signed Hutton last May, later naming him captain, but have seen several players leave and made public their money woes earlier this year.
Hutton started the game, which kicked off at 2pm and was on the winning side heading into the second half.
A first-half penalty from Graham Wilson separated the sides, but straight from kick-off and the match restarting Darvel doubled their lead.
Scott Walker slotted in the second to place one hand on the cup heading into the closing stages.
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