The Reg Vardy Band has informed 4BR that it their intention to present their case to the Appeals Panel appointed by Kapitol Promotions to try and overturn the decision made on the weekend by the North of England Regional Committee to confirm their disqualification from this year's Regional Championship contest in Durham.

Punishment

In a pointed press statement they also state that they believe the "punishment"to be "extremely harsh", and that the Regional Committee imposed "an unacceptable and totally unnecessary delay"of informing them of the decision.

They also repeat that they are "very disappointed"that the identity of the "complaining Band and their exact complaint has not been divulged"to them despite what they say has been "repeated requests".

The statement signed by Band Manager Les Palmer goes on to state that they will also be drafting proposed amendments and suggested changes to the rules to "prevent any further incidents of this type from occurring."

we believe that the punishment of disqualification is extremely harsh and are very disappointed that the information regarding the complaining Band and their exact complaint has not been divulged to ourselves despite repeated requestsReg Vardy

Statement:

The statement reads as follows:

"The Reg Vardy Band is saddened and extremely disappointed to announce that its appeal against disqualification at the 2018 North of England Regional Championships, held on Sunday 18th March, has been turned down by the Regional Committee and the disqualification therefore still stands.

A delegation from the Band attended the meeting at County Hall, Durham on Saturday 21st April at 10.30am.

They presented a respectful and robust defence of the Band's position which included several requests for further information. The NOEBBC Area Committee declined most of these requests.

At approximately 11.30am, the delegation was then asked to leave the meeting so that the NOEBBC Area Committee could deliberate. We were told that we would receive their decision later that day.

This decision was finally communicated to the Band at 9.18am on Sunday 22nd April.

This was not within the timescale previously advised by the NOEBBC Area Committee, and we feel this was an unacceptable and totally unnecessary delay.

Additionally, we believe that the punishment of disqualification is extremely harsh and are very disappointed that the information regarding the complaining Band and their exact complaint has not been divulged to ourselves despite repeated requests.

Furthermore, we will also be drafting some amendments and suggested changes to some of the rules which the NOEBBC Area Committee can take forward to the Kapitol Forum for consideration. We hope that this will prevent any further incidents of this type from occurring.

Our intention is to appeal to the Appeals Panel, appointed by Kapitol Promotions, and we will be contacting them for further information.

We would like to thank the many friends and supporters of the Reg Vardy Band who have taken the time and trouble to send messages of support over this matter."