KEN Hodcroft has three stringent rules to abide by at Hartlepool United: Enjoy the work you are doing, don’t embarrass yourself or the club and don’t get relegated.

The second of those ideals has been well and truly broken and there’s the strong possibility of the third being smashed tomorrow.

Even if Pools escape relegation, or even if they don’t and then the club appeals the points deduction and events rumble on, noone should be allowed to escape the inquest and consequences.

Since their arrival at Victoria Park in September 1997, IOR Ltd have taken the club on a steep upward curve. It may have levelled out in the last couple of years, but the latest developments are something from the dark days of the 70s and early 80s.

Hodcroft, an efficient operator with sound business acumen and strong workplace principles, will be feeling badly let down this morning by a number of parties, both inside and outside the club.

Hartlepool United defender Gary Liddle played in a game against Brighton when he was suspended for a booking collected two days previous.

When Chris Turner referred to the situation as “less than Sunday league stuff’’ he was describing the whole farcical situation, FA, Football League and all.

Then again, a team in the Hartlepool Sunday Morning League wouldn’t want to be tarred with such ineptitude.

Club officials spoke before the Easter weekend of the need to recognise and report in-house any cautions issued at Orient, given the close proximity of the double header, but the yellow card went unnoticed and their system failed.

Turner and assistant boss Colin West said they didn’t see Liddle being booked, both busy deliberating a substitution – one which was made eight minutes later in injury time.

The club failed to spot Liddle’s caution listed in numerous media outlets – The Northern Echo included – in the 48 hours between the Orient and Brighton games.

But would Liddle have realised he had just chalked up his tenth booking? He thought it was number nine.

However, most footballers don’t know who they are playing next week or faced a month ago, let alone if they were cautioned in the 37th minute of a defeat at Millwall on February 27.

Following the FA charges being levied Hodcroft swiftly announced the club was holding an internal investigation. Any outcome is not known, although it is believed Liddle was slapped with a club fine.

The club has, quite correctly, called for the FA and FL to take a close look at themselves in the process.

While they have both punished Pools, the whole messy situation hasn’t been helped by their archaic ways.

Is it right that the game’s governing bodies shut down for four days over Easter weekend when there’s a full double programme of games?

And still dealing in faxes?

Heard of email, anyone?

The effect yesterday’s events have on the players tomorrow is yet to be judged.

Their trip down the A1 this morning won’t be cheery.

But if Pools drop into the basement division, it won’t be down to the FA or the FL.

They have had enough chances on th epitch this season to make sure relegation wouldn’t be on the agenda.

The club chairman isn’t the sort of character to accept the punishment whatever the outcome at Griffin Park tomorrow.

Expect this one to rumble on – Hodcroft is unlikely to take this medicine.