DEFENDER Michael Rose played for Hereford United in their Nationwide Confer-ence match at Margate on Tuesday after the Conference clubs decided to withdraw their players from the English National Game XI squad for the friendly against Belgium, writes Glyn Wictome.

United's request to the FA to release Rose for their match at Margate, scheduled on the same night as the friendly international, was turned down.

But all but one of the other Conference clubs voted to withdraw their players from the friendly match and a new squad, drawn from outside the Conference League, was announced.

Bulls boss Graham Turner said: "It was sad for Michael, and other Conference players, to miss the opportunity of representing the League, but he feels that his loyalty must be with United.

"We have a small squad and, with a couple of key players missing, Michael's presence was important to us. Also they were not providing any insurance cover for any players injured in this friendly match.

"This could well rumble on with the FA possibly taking some action on the blanket refusal by the Conference clubs."