THE Football Association were ‘brave’ to back Vics’ appeal against expulsion from the Football Conference, according to the solicitor hired to fight the club’s corner.

Richard Cramer told the Guardian that the game’s governing body had made a common sense decision.

“They made the right move,” he said.

“It was a brave one but, in my view, correct given the fact that the sanction of a 10-point deduction is very much the modern way of imposing sporting sanctions on professional clubs.”

Cramer, of Leeds-based law firm Cohen Cramer, joined Vics owner Jim Rushe in front of an FA panel at Soho Square on Monday.

There they argued the club’s case against Football Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick and sports lawyer Mel Stein.

Both parties waited more than an hour for the verdict.

“We had to work fast,” added Cramer.

“We lodged notice of the appeal last Tuesday and there was a high element of urgency with the Football Conference AGM only days away.

“I know the decision has come as a massive boost for the club.”

Rushe, who spent thousands of pounds preparing the appeal, acknowledged Cramer’s role in saving the club’s skin.

He said: “I can’t praise him enough.

“They put together a 15-page dossier putting our case and then made a great job of our defence on Monday.

“Considering he had so little time to react to the Conference’s decision I think he worked wonders.”

Vics will start next season in Blue Square North with a 10-point penalty.