The Football Association has charged Conference winners Boston United with financial irregularities over the wages of six of their players.

Their manager Steve Evans and former chairman Pat Malkinson also face charges.

The announcement follows a month-long enquiry by the FA into "suspected irregularities" at the club who were promoted to the Football League in April.

The six charges against the club relate to players contracts, lodged with the FA, containing false salary details.

The players, though not charged personally, have been named as Paul Bastock and Simon Weatherstone from the current squad and former players Ken Charlery, Jim Dick, Paul Wilson and Mike Marsh.

Eight charges have been issued against the Pilgrim's manager Steve Evans - six of them relate to the submission of contracts with false details with the FA .

Payment

Steve Evans has also been accused of trying to impede the inquiry.

The FA claim he arranged an �8,000 payment to a player a week after the investigation began.

The former Chairman and owner Pat Malkinson faces a similar charge.

The club have two weeks to respond before a hearing is held on July 18th, just three weeks before the new season is due to begin.

Shock

If any irregularities are uncovered - and depending on their scale - the club's promotion to the Football League could be in doubt.

Dagenham & Redbridge chairman David Andrews, whose team finished runners-up to Boston on goal difference, is keen to see "natural justice" done.

He said: "Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club is shocked to hear of the outcome of the FA investigation into the financial affairs of Boston United Football Club.

"I am very concerned that the team which pipped us for the Conference championship on goal difference just a few weeks ago has now been formally charged with 'improper conduct' during the course of a season which ended so dramatically and frustratingly for us.

"I believe that it is only fair to our supporters, players and manager that Dagenham & Redbridge should make every effort to see that 'natural justice is seen to be done' within football."