Ernie Machin

Ernie Machin (born April 26, 1944) was an English football player. His career included spells at Plymouth Argyle F.C., Coventry City F.C. and Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.

In 1972 he became the first English football player to successfully challenge a fine and suspension by the Football Association in the English courts. He was sent off in a game apparently for kicking an opponent, however TV evidence showed that he was innocent; nevertheless the FA noticed something else which he had done and upheld the disciplinary action on the basis of that without allowing him to present a defence. The courts ruled against the FA, and the PFA established the rights of players to legal representation in disciplinary cases.

Trivia

*He was rejected by Bolton Wanderers at the same time as England World Cup winner Alan Ball. Coincidentally the player Wanderers kept hold of was a certain Gordon Taylor, now chairman of the PFA.
*He was voted a member of Plymouth's 'Team Of The Century' despite only playing 70 games between 1973 and 1974.