At a tribunal hearing in Peterborough yesterday, the Steelmen were fine £1,000 in total for signing Steve Julian, Adam Jones, Martin Wormall and Daniel French from UniBond League side Stamford without putting in the required seven-days transfer notice for any of them.

In addition, the club were fined a further £250 for signing more than one player from the same club within a 28-day period.

All four players left the Daniels in January to follow manager Graham Drury to Rockingham Triangle where they helped the Steelmen stave off relegation in the BGB Southern League Premier Division.

As Corby understood it, the players had been told they could leave
Stamford – although they were still required to put in seven-day notices of approach for all four

That didn't happen with the players instead just moving straight to
the Triangle.

"Basically it came down to the FA asking us straight if we had put the seven days in for any of the players and we had to admit we hadn't," said Corby chairman Peter Mallinger.

"We stressed to the tribunal that we knew about the seven-day rule as we had abided by it earlier in the season.

"But we simply thought that because the players had been released by Stamford we were free to sign then without needing to put in the seven days. Clearly that was not the case."

The fine took the gloss off two pieces of good news for the club.
Off the field, Weldon Plant have agreed to remain the club's main sponsor for next season.

"Weldon chairman Peter Webb is a great supporter of local sport and this news is a massive boost for the club," said Mallinger.

"It makes such a difference to have that sort of backing behind us."

The Steelmen have also confirmed that they will play Coca-Cola
League One side Peterborough United in a pre-season friendly at Rockingham Triangle on August 2 (kick-off 3pm).

The game is part of Corby's 60th anniversary celebrations.