The controversial international transfer deadline is already causing problems at non-league level.

Former Highworth player Gerry Packham was set to sign for Hellenic League Bishops Cleeve, until the long arm of FIFA put a block on the deal .

He will now have to wait until the new year before finding a club.

Packham recently returned from an extended trip to New Zealand, where he briefly played for Olympic Club Wellington.

On his return to the UK, Packham was denied the chance to rejoin the Hellenic League, as the deadline prevents players moving between National Football Associations.

As it stands, the newly-imposed deadline only prevents non-league clubs from acquiring players from other countries.

The Hellenic League's General Secretary Brian King said: "It is a farcical situation that FIFA regulations on transfer windows can reach down the system to, in effect, stop players from playing at a level where the only payment made to a player is to cover travelling expenses.

"This has been clarified with the FA Registrations Department and shows that the full implications of this FIFA regulation were not properly checked and verified before coming into force.

"This leaves Gerry Packham, and I dare say, many other players unable to play in England if they were last registered with a club in another country, even Scotland and Wales.

"I've had another player from South Wales unable to sign for a Cheltenham club It's a disgrace."

Officials throughout the non-league game are still waiting to hear whether total domestic movement will be allowed, or whether a set number of concessional signings will be granted before the before the transfer window re-opens.

So, as it stands, the changes will have little effect on most non-league clubs, but players in Packham's position will have to wait until the window reopens in January before lacing up their boots again.