Leicestershire Football Association ruled football in the county with a rod of iron. Crimes and misdemeanours by players, officials and clubs were severely dealt with. A small selection of the punishments handed out in 1895-96 are given below:
The following Coalville Albion players were suspended for 14 days for playing a six-a-side contest on August Bank Holiday: J King, J Tivey, A Martin, I Smith, and T Bradshaw. J Newbold, W Barker, J Ballad and A Redgate of Hemington were suspended for 21 days for playing in the same match.
William Beckley, of Leicester Richmond Club, was suspended for two months for striking a member of the Emmanuel Club during a match on Saturday 28 September and the captain of the former (Watson) was severely censured for his conduct towards the referee for refusing to name the player reported.
Hathern Victoria F.C. were fined 2s 6d for failing to send results of their Shield match to the secretary of the Association.
Following reports of disturbances between members and officials of the Willoughby and Abb-Kettleby Football Clubs, Leicestershire Football Association sent both clubs circulars relating to the conduct of players on the field and their actions towards referees.
Swannington St George’s F.C. protested against their match with Hugglescote St John’s on Saturday 5 October at Swannington counting as a Shield match, on account of 6 of the players having taken part in a 6-a-side contest. Having heard evidence from both sides, Swannington were awarded the game.
E. Barsby, of Countesthorpe, for abusive conduct towards a referee at Countesthorpe, was suspended for four weeks 25 and F Ainsworth, of Kegworth F.C. was treated in a similar manner for using abusive language towards the referee in a Shield match on 19 October.
C. Hudson and J. Hodkin, of Castle Donington F.C., were suspended for 7 days for playing with a club not affiliated with Leicestershire Football Association.
Cosby were suspended until they had paid a fine imposed by the association to Earl Shilton.
T. Warren of Cosby was suspended for 4 weeks and A. Grewcock of Broughton Astley for two weeks, for fighting during a match at Broughton Astley.
For striking a player in a match at Barlestone, J. Storer of Ibstock Town Swifts was suspended for 6 weeks.
Coalville Town reported Coalville Albion for approaching Messrs Bradshaw, Eyles, and Bent, of the Town Club. After hearing evidence from both clubs, the committee decided the protest was not sustained and Coalville Albion were awarded 5s expenses.
Ratby Swifts were fined 2s 6d and ordered to rearrange fixtures with Enderby St John’s.
Narborough All Saints were fined 2s 6d for failing to keep an appointment with St Mary’s Victor.
Coallville Town were fined 5s for failing to appear at Ellistown on 2 November.
Richmond F.C. were fined 2s 6d to be paid to the Association for failing to keep an engagement with Thursday Rovers.
Mountsorrel Castle reported barrow Rising Star for approaching J Parlton. The committee ruled that the player had been approached by the Barrow club, and they were severely censured for their conduct, and fined 10s.
Sileby Rangers reported Syston swifts for approaching George and Henry Wood and for unduly influencing them to play. Syston were fined 10s and the committee of that club were severely censured. In the course of the evidence the Syston Swifts secretary, Mr Hoar, admitted that a collection had been made on the ground amounting to 5s for the players referred to and for this serious breach of the rules he was together with A. Cooper (treasurer) and W Smith were severely censured and suspended for 14 days; the amount collected was forfeited the Association.
A report from the Hinckley Football Club, complaining of the ill treatment of players by spectators at a match at Shepshed, on 4 January, was considered. After hearing evidence from the officials and the referee, which serious misconduct was proved, the committee ordered the closure of the Shepshed ground until 17 February and banned the Shepshed club from playing within miles of Shepshed until after that date.
Charles Kirkland of the Barlestone Rovers was suspended for one month for abusive conduct to the referee and refusing to leave the field in a match with Coalville in January 1896. Barlestone’s captain, Jospeh Kirkland was suspended for two weeks for refusing to give the name of the player to the referee.
H. Stokes (Hinckley Granville) was suspended for three weeks, and J Burton (Burbage Albion) was suspended for one month for fighting in a match at Burbage.
J Wallace (Kegworth) was suspended for 6 weeks for refusing to leave the field when ordered and for threatening the referee in a match at Quorn.
Spectators at the Leicestershire Senior Cup final between Leicester Fosse Reserves and Hugglescote Loughborough’s Nottingham-road ground behaved appalling throughout the game towards the officials, especially when the cup and medals were presented. According to the referee they even cheered when players left the field disabled. The Loughborough committee denied it was due to their spectators, but rather to outsiders and that should they be allowed to stage another final they would try their utmost to prevent a repetition of such behaviour.
Serious charges were raised against the behaviour Shepshed F.C. players and officials during and after a Northants and Leicestershire League Lague match. Such was the gravity of the situation that the question was asked whether the club should be allowed to continue. After considerable discussion and a reconstitution of the club, with the appointment of a new secretary, the club was given permission to remain member of the Association.