Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 9:15am

Woods calls for cup rule change

by Graham Gibson

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CALUM WOODS reckons it's time for a rule change after admitting this year's suspension chaos was worse than being left out of the Pars' last cup final.

The Dunfermline full back was at the centre of the Stenhousemuir storm when he appeared for the last 40 minutes of the 7-1 victory despite being suspended.

The ensuing turmoil proved harder to endure than being left out of the Pars' squad when they went down 1-0 to Celtic in the 2007 Scottish Cup final.

Woods said, "Being left out of the squad, that was really difficult and I was devastated at the time.

"I wasn't expecting to be playing but thought I might have a chance of getting on the bench.

"This season was worse thinking you're going out as at the time of the final I was younger and wasn't playing week in week out.

"My second booking was in the semi-final and thinking about it now it's a bit of a nonsense but I didn't even think about it at the time.

"I'd like to see it altered as you don't really want that to carry on over to the next season.

"I was more thinking about being out if we got through to the final."

Woods didn't let it affect him and admits the uproar may have had a positive affect on the Pars' squad by bringing them closer together.

"I've just been focusing on football and training," he said.

"I was gutted when the initial decision came through but I couldn't really do anything about it.

"I'm just happy we're playing Celtic in the next round.

"It's in your head that your name's getting put everywhere but I knew in my head it wasn't my fault.

"There's been dressing room banter but the boys have been great with me.

"I was relieved when we heard the result of the appeal. Everyone has stuck together and the fans and everyone at the club have been good.

"That's what you need in these situations.

"I watched the second game and it was really tough for the boys.

"What made it worse was that I was suspended and couldn't do anything about it."