Two days before Christmas, the owners of Coventry United Ladies FC announced their intention to liquidate the company.

My 10-year-old twins' and I set up a Crowdfunder for those about to lose their jobs. Such was the response, within two weeks 290 donations had been received and £15,000 secured. We also found our way on to Sky Sports News and into Forbes magazine as the word travelled the world.

Thanks to social media, a potential buyer stepped forward, Lewis Taylor of Energy Angels, who is already invested in the women's game.

Miraculously, the deal was done to buy the Club and to take on all financial responsibilities.  No fixtures were missed and the Club did not go into liquidation.

The situation now

After receiving news that the Club was saved, the players have now discovered that CULFC is to face a 10 points deduction. This feels harsh, unsurmountable and "out of scale" when compared with the men's leagues.

Our request

We call upon the WFA to revisit this judgement because;

• this is the same punishment as that levied on clubs that actually have gone into administration/depended on FA intervention and funding
• it's a punishment that would also be imposed in a 38 match league whereas this is a 22 match competition
• the women's league is precariously placed without the number of prospective investors the men's would entice at this level

We are realists and know that there are precedents and a need to adhere to the rule book, but there are a number of factors that make this different from past liquidations.

There is a precedent for punitive action against clubs that have been in a similar position, but those clubs depended upon the FA to see them through to the end of the season.

Within a matter of days (and over Christmas) these women lost their jobs, a new owner stepped in to help and the community showed their support and saved the Club.

Today's key stakeholders are blame-free. An investor has committed £200,000 to a sport that is, to be candid, struggling through its developmental stage.  The FA may indeed be adhering to its reading of the blurred rules, but deducting 10 points from a club in a 22 match season could be construed as a nail in a coffin - It will send the wrong message to potential investors and to potential fans seeking fairness.

My view (and that of many) is that the deduction should take into account the number of games in the season, the incredible actions of the community to save the club (without calling for FA help) and that the FA should also consider how this punitive action will be perceived by those looking in.

So, whilst it could be argued that the rule book is being followed, we request a root and branch assessment of imposing men's games rules (bigger league, bigger funds) on a developing women's game. 

My worst fear is that the investor who has committed so much money to save our Club might step away - as the punishment does not fit the crime, or leave sufficient opportunity for these incredible players to have a chance to complete this incredible story of resilience and recovery.

Your commitment

Would you join us and, in signing, ask that the WFA revisit the punitive points deduction against Coventry United Ladies?