Rejected former Sheffield Wednesday star’s battle with Sheffield Golf Club over ‘archaic’ membership rules UK News

The 18-time England international, who returned to South Yorkshire last year after 15 years working as a youth football manager in Shanghai, believes he was partly victimized because of his high public notoriety as a than a former footballer.

And now he intends to take a stand against an ‘archaic’ membership system to ensure future applications are not affected by what he feels has been unfair treatment.

Palmer was nominated and seconded by other former footballers as a proposed new member at Abbeydale Golf Club and, as has long been the case at the club, his name was listed as a potential member on an open bulletin board within the clubhouse, existing members being invited. to post a comment.

It is understood an existing member has presented tabloid clippings from Palmer’s past to the club’s admissions board – including reports of a 25-year conviction which he has always strenuously denied – which he claims, unfairly influenced the club’s decision to refuse his application.

He also says that false allegations of a distinct nature were made about his past by members, which he says greatly influenced their decision. With no interview process in place at the time her application was rejected, Palmer had no direct right of reply to these allegations.

Speaking to The Star, the former Owls midfielder claimed he and existing members were aware of the club’s existing members’ convictions which would mean there is no precedent in place for that prior convictions are a problem.

It is understood that at Palmer’s request, a copy of the relevant minutes of the admissions meeting was sent to him on behalf of the golf club.

He believes he has been unfairly victimized, but says his goal is to shed light on a membership process he has made “archaic”. Palmer says he has since received a number of messages of support from club members and a number of invitations to join other golf clubs in Sheffield.

“It’s not about me anymore,” Palmer said. “I don’t want to be a member of Abbeydale. Why would I give them my money?

“It’s an archaic rule that allows people to blackball you. I’ve been told other people have had the same issues.

“Nobody these days should be turned down outright by a golf club. If there’s a waiting list, you wait. I was happy to do that and was always courteous. As long as you are courteous and you follow the rules of this club, there is no reason for you to be refused.

“And if they have a problem with something, you have to have the right of reply.

“It’s not about me being entitled. I was willing to wait if there was a waiting list, but they just declined my application with no right of reply.

“I’ve had messages from all kinds of people, including two well-known golf pros, asking what’s going on. They know this is all not fair.

“I am able to express myself. I feel like if I don’t, then I’m just as bad as them.

The Abbeydale Golf Club website clearly states that they “currently have vacancies in most membership categories”.

They are supposed to have instructed a lawyer on the matter.

In a statement sent to The Star, a spokesperson for Abbeydale Golf Club said: ‘We have received an application to join the AGC which is a private club of Carlton Palmer.

“AGC went through normal process regarding the application for membership which was rejected at a board meeting on March 1, 2022. In the usual way, we informed their nominator of the outcome. Carlton Palmer was treated as we would for any other candidate in similar circumstances.

“We have written to Carlton Palmer explaining the reasons for the rejection. The reasons included a reference to information freely available in the media regarding his past conduct. We will not release a copy of this letter. This is Carlton Palmer’s case.