A Cumbrian football club has been thrown out of the county senior cup after breaching a rule over player eligibility.

The Cumberland Football Association have announced that Whitehaven AFC have been expelled from this season's Fred Conway Cumberland Cup.

It follows their recent second round victory over holders Workington Reds on penalties.

This, the county FA say, was followed by a "protest" that Whitehaven may have fielded a player who had already represented another club in this season's competition.

Whitehaven have accepted the claim, the Cumberland FA said. They defeated fellow west Cumbrian club Workington 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on November 12.

A statement from the county FA said: "Cumberland FA received a protest regarding the potential that Whitehaven AFC had fielded a player who had played for another club in an earlier round of the competition in their victory over Workington AFC on 12/11/24.

"Whitehaven AFC have accepted this to be the case and therefore have been found guilty of breaching Rule 6 of the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup Rules which state that 'A player can only play for one Team in this competition'.

"The rule continues to say that "A player playing for more than one Club and/or Team(s) will be banned from taking part in the competition and the offending Club and/or Team will also be expelled from the competition.

"Whitehaven AFC have therefore been informed that they have been expelled from the Competition.

"This decision is subject to appeal."

Whitehaven have been contacted for comment.

The club, whose first team play in the West Lancashire League Premier Division, had enjoyed a successful night when knocking out Workington, winners of the county senior cup in the last two seasons.

That had appeared to book them a place in the quarter-finals, along with Carlisle City, Penrith, Aspatria, Cleator Moor Celtic, Keswick, Unisun Athletic and Langwathby United or Wetheriggs United, the rearranged latter tie set to be played next weekend.