Football: Hawke's Bay United seeks warts-and-all reasoning on suspension of coach Brett Angell after appeal dismissed

Hawke's Bay United board chairwoman Paula Walker. Photo/supplied

Hawke's Bay United has requested a "full written" verdict from the disciplinary committee of New Zealand Football after it dismissed its appeal on coach Brett Angell's one-match suspension.

Board chairwoman Paula Walker said last night what frustrated the franchise was "the terms of the decision", which simply stated last Friday whether he was dismissed or not and was devoid of reasons.

"For us to get the reasons of the decisions we have to ask for it in writing and then we have to wait again for them to put it together to send it to us," said Walker.

Angell was sent off the Park Island, Napier, venue of the Thirsty Whale-sponsored team in the round eight ISPS Handa Premiership soccer match against Tasman United on December 10.

The vociferous Englishman had served his one-match suspension in the final game against the Canterbury United Dragons in Christchurch before the premiership took an adjournment for the traditional Christmas holidays.

Walker said the delays in responses also add to the club's frustration.

"It just adds time to something we just want to deal with and get on with."

The franchise general manager, Shane McKenzie, had filed the appeal on December 27 last year and were informed it was going to be heard on January 8 but the "terms of the decision" landed on Walker's desk last Friday.

"We accept that the disciplinary committee sit outside the New Zealand Football administrative staff and, in essence, have careers and jobs, like I do on our board, so we understand it isn't heard straight away.

"And I would hope it doesn't take too long because I would have thought they would have had the reasons on the decision already kind of done and it may be just a case of putting it together but I'm not sure."

She said until the disciplinary committee furnished the club with reasons on why Angell was suspended in the first place it couldn't reach a decision on whether it should purse another avenue to seek redress. The allegation is the coach charged out of his technical area.

Walker said at the crux of the matter was - the club believed - video footage that didn't support the claims of the officials at Bluewater Stadium that day as to why Angell should have been disciplined.

"We don't believe it [footage] backs it up. That's why we want reasons on why they dismissed our appeal because we want to see what they considered and their views are before we know what to do next."

She said the club wouldn't fork out $250 plus GST to go through the formal process if it wasn't confident this time although in previous cases the club had dealt with Angell internally for any such indiscretions.

"If we appeal it'll cost that much again but if we had more people coming through the gates it might not be such an issue but $250 at the end of the season is a cost we have to consider."

Walker again reiterated it was a matter of principle.

She said the board had belief in Angell's prowess and could see the difference he was making with every player in the team as they find themselves in a win or say goodbye to playoffs this summer.

"He is an outstanding coach and we'll continue to support him."