Maidstone Rugby Club are set to appeal against the 50-point penalty imposed after the eye-gouging incident which left Clarence Harding blind in one eye.

The club, who were also fined £2,000 over the incident, have until Monday to issue an appeal notice to the RFU and chairman Andy Golding says the likelihood is that they will take up the option.

Mr Golding, pictured, said: "We don’t agree with the findings or the rulings and are looking to appeal. It’s what we’ve discussed and it’s what our membership want but we want it to be a calm and considered response.

"We didn’t want it be a knee-jerk reaction and we have to formulate the best strategy.

"We haven’t mapped it out yet because it’s not a straightforward situation. The most important thing is to preserve the integrity of the club."

The incident which left former Gravesend No.8 Mr Harding without the sight in his right eye came during a Kent Cup tie in January 2010.

Charges were brought against Maidstone last December after one of their players, Matt Illes, was found not guilty of gouging Mr Harding.

However, the RFU disciplinary panel, who heard the case, decided that an unidentified Maidstone player had committed the offence and the club appeared before a three-man panel on January 12 where they were found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.