RULES OF THE COMPETITION SEASON 2017-2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definitions
2. Name and Constitution
3. Entry Fee, Subscriptions and Deposit
4. Management, Nomination, Election
5. Powers of Management
6. Annual General Meeting and General Meetings
7. Agreement to be signed
8. Qualification of Players
9. Club Colours, Club Name
10. Playing Season, Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-off, Postponements, Substitutes
11. Reporting Results
12. Determining Championship
13. Referees
14. Continuation of Membership or Withdrawal of a Club
15. Protests and Complaints
16. Appeals
17. Exclusion of Clubs or Teams, Misconduct by Clubs, Officials or Players
18. Trophy, Legal Owners, Conditions of Taking Over, Agreement to be Signed, Awards
19. Special General Meetings
20. Alterations to Rules
21. Finance
22. Insurance
23. Dissolution
24. Cup Competition Rules
25. Invitation Trophy Competitions (Shields)
26. Courses & Workshops
27. Rules binding on Clubs
28. Fees Tariff & Fines Tariff

DEFINITIONS

1. (A) In these Rules:

“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an affiliated Association under the Rules of The FA.

“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition.

“Competition” means the South-East London & Kent Youth League.

“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.

“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.

“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.

“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules.

“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules.

“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches.

“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.

“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.

“Mini Soccer” means those participating at ages under 7s to under 10s.

“Non-Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.

“Participants” means an Affiliated Association, Competition, Club, Club Official, Intermediary, Player, Official, Match Official, Management Committee member, member or employee of an Affiliated Club and all such persons who are from time to time participating in any activity sanctioned either directly or indirectly by the Association.

“Player” means any Contract Player, Non-Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning Authority” means The London County Football Association Limited.

“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.

“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“Team” means a team affiliated to a Club.

“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking part in a Competition Match are listed.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“WGS” means the Whole Game System and the procedures for the operation thereof as determined by The FA from time to time.

“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

“Youth Football” means those participating at ages under 11s to under 18s.

(B) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules for Youth Competitions (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

(C) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 16.

(D) The Competition will be known as South East London & Kent Youth League (or such other name as the Competition may adopt). The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

(E) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.

(F) Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.

NAME AND CONSTITUTION

2. (A) This Competition shall consist of not more than 200 Clubs and 1000 Teams approved by the Sanctioning Authority.

(i) The League shall be a Sunday League and all games in all divisions shall be played on a Sunday, except where, to ensure that all fixtures are completed, it is mutually agreed by the League and both teams to play on a midweek or Saturday date.

(ii) In these Rules, reference to matches played under the jurisdiction of the League shall include all matches played in various divisions (both competitive and non-competitive) and all Cup and additional Trophy Competitions.

(iii) Member Clubs will be restricted from naming a Team Manager for more than two active member teams during the season.

(B) All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority and must have a constitution approved by the Sanctioning Authority. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff). The area covered by the Competition membership shall be playing facilities lie south of the River Thames and within a 15-mile radius of Erith Town Hall.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the London County Football Association(s) and the constituent Teams of member Clubs may be grouped in divisions.

(C) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination

(i) The Competition and each member Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (to include those contained in the Equality Act 2010).

(ii) This Competition and each member Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.

(iii) Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.

(D) Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(E) Clubs shall not enter any of their Teams playing at a particular age group in the Competition in any other competition (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(F) At the AGM or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

3. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an entry fee £25.00 set out in the Fees Tariff per Team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

At the discretion of the voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or a Special General Meeting or on a date agreed by the Management Committee.

(B) An annual subscription shall be payable in accordance with the Fees Tariff per Team and shall be payable on or before the first Wednesday in September in each year.

(i) The annual subscription and fees shall be as follows: -
Each team elected to play 9-a-side or 11-a-side football shall pay: -
An Annual Subscription of £50.00 payable by 1st Wednesday in September.
Each team elected to play Mini-Soccer at Under 9 and Under 10 shall pay: -
An Annual Subscription of £40.00 payable by 1st Wednesday in September.
Each team elected to play Mini-Soccer at Under 7 and Under 8 shall pay: -
An Annual Subscription of £20.00 payable by 1st Wednesday in September

(ii) Membership shall be open to all existing Clubs and Teams who must submit official membership renewal and team entry forms to the League General Secretary by 1st May latest. Any Club or Team failing to do so by the above date may be deemed to have withdrawn from the League and be required to apply for re-election as a New Club or Team.

(iii) Club or Team membership of the League for one season does not guarantee acceptance into the League for the following season

(C) A Deposit of £100.00 shall be payable per Club and shall be payable on or before 1^st May in each year.

(i) Member Clubs, on leaving the competition, shall have the Deposit Bond refunded provided they have fulfilled their fixtures, complied in full all orders of the Management Committee and are not in debt to the League.

(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee, annual subscription and Deposit (if required) have been paid.

(i) Any team resigning from the League after election shall forfeit the Annual Subscription fees and be liable to a fine of up to £100.00 (See Rules 14B and C).

(E) If requested by the Competition, Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 31^st July of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming Playing Season, failing which they shall be fined £25.00 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and members who shall all be elected at the AGM. All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The FA from time to time.

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing not later than 1^st May in each year.

All other candidates for election as Officers or members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the secretaries of two member Clubs, not later than 1^st May in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the AGM.

(C) The Management Committee shall meet as and when required, save that no more than three calendar months shall pass between each meeting.

On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Management Committee.

(i) A record of all Management Committee meetings shall be kept and a copy of minutes made available to all Committee members for subsequent approval and endorsement.

(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers and sent to the Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of The FA or Affiliated Association.

(B) Subject to the permission of the Sanctioning Authority having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.

(C) Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee meetings and have one vote thereat, but no member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such member or to the Club so represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).

In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(i) No Club shall have more than two representatives on the duly elected Management Committee.

(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.

With the exception of Rules 5(I), 6(H) and 19, and in relation to any alleged breaches of a Rule the Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club charged is required to respond to the charge within 7 days from the date of notification of the charge. In such reply, a Club may: -

(i) Accept the charge and submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the Management Committee on the papers; or

(ii) Accept the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the Management Committee; or

(iii) Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the Management Committee on the papers; or

(iv) Deny the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the Management committee.

Where the Club charged fails to respond within 7 days, the Management Committee shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate.

Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the Club as more fully set out above.

Having considered the reply of the Club (whether in writing or at a hearing), the Management Committee shall make its decision and, in the event that the charge is accepted or proven, decide on the appropriate penalty (with reference to the Fines Tariff where applicable).

The maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £100 and, when setting any fine, the Management Committee must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances. No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 10 days.

(i) The League General Secretary shall have the authority to deal with any urgent matters not mentioned in these rules.

(F) Five of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee or any sub-committee thereof.

(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill, in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

(i) Any member who is absent from three consecutive Management Committee meetings without reasonable excuse may be held to have resigned.

(H) A Club must comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, and must attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition to the satisfaction of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(I) Subject to its right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16 below, all fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of notification of the decision.

Any Club failing to do so will be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff). Further failure to pay the fine including the additional sum within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.

(i) Any fixtures cast during this period may be awarded to the opposing team.

(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

(i) The Management Committee shall not be held responsible either collectively or individually for any losses, damages or injuries sustained by any Club or its members through actions, which are pursuant to the administration and management of League affairs.

(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition Playing Season.

(L) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may/shall be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The AGM shall be held not later than 14^th July in each year. At this meeting, the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of members are present and entitled to vote: -

(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding AGM.

(ii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies.

(iv) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing Playing Season.

(v) Election of Officers and Management Committee.

(vi) Appointment of Auditors.

(vii) Alteration of Rules, if any (See Rule 20).

(viii) Fix the date for the commencement of the Playing Season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.

(ix) Fix the date for the end of the Playing Season.

(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an AGM.

(xi) Election of New Member Club Teams & New Teams from Member Clubs (as per Rule 3a)

(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting together with any proposed changes.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of its adoption by the AGM.

(D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the Playing Season being concluded or who are not continuing membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the Playing Season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.

(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one-member Club.

(H) Any continuing Club must be represented at the AGM. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM.

(J) Where a Competition is an incorporated entity, the Officers of the Competition shall ensure that the Articles of Association of the Competition are consistent with the requirements of these Rules.

LEAGUE MEETING

(K) A Meeting of all Member Clubs shall be held monthly (except August) to receive information and reports from Officers and to deal with League business of a general nature. Notification of such meetings will be provided to each Club prior to the commencement of the season together with venue, date and time. The League General Secretary will notify any necessary alterations to such arrangements, in writing, to Members Clubs and Management Committee members. The Minutes Secretary shall record minutes of each General Meeting and these shall be provided to Clubs for endorsement at the following meeting.

(L) Clubs shall be allowed to send more than one delegate to the League Monthly Meetings. However, no Club shall have more than one vote and the Club Representative who signs the attendance book will be the only person entitled to vote. Voting will normally be by show of hands unless otherwise decided by the Chairman. Clubs not represented at the League Monthly Meeting will be subject to a fine of £10.00 for the first absence and up to £40.00 for any subsequent absence. Clubs who attend the monthly league meeting, but fail to collect their League account may incur a £10.00 fine. Clubs who fail to sign the attendance book will be deemed absent. Any Club who fails to attend three or more meetings during a season may be called before Management Committee who may recommend that their application for future membership be refused.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7. Each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the application for membership for the coming Playing Season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

“We, (A), (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Chairman)/Director and (B) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Secretary/Director) of [ ] Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the [ ] Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.”

The agreement shall be signed by:

(i) Where a Club is an unincorporated association, the Club Chairman and secretary; or

(ii) Where a Club is an incorporated entity, two directors of the Club.

Any alteration of the Chairman and /or secretary of the Club on the above agreement must be notified to the County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

8. (A) (i) A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: -

(a) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by his /her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the (Registrations) Secretary 5 days prior to the Player playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing. The registration document must incorporate emergency contact details of the Player’s parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the Player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.

Any registration form which is sent by the means set out at Rule 8(A) (i) (a) that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed.

For clubs registering players under Rules 8(A) (i) (a) registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition.

(ii) Registration forms may also be submitted to the (Registrations) Secretary by electronic mail or facsimile machine prior to the Player playing. The original document must be forwarded by post within three days of the match to the appropriate Officer. (Please note Rule 8A (ii) is not in compliance with our Rule 8A (i) (a).

(iii) A player is only eligible to play if the manager is in physical possession of the completed player registration card that has been signed and dated by the relevant Divisional Registration Administrator. Registration cards will only be issued by the League on receipt of hard-copy documents.

(iv) A fully and correctly completed League Registration Card in blue or black ink, signed by the player and witnessed by a parent or guardian (not required for players 18 and above) and countersigned by the Club Secretary. Players must replicate this signature on all Selkent Competition match cards.

(Note: Players in the age groups U8’s and U7’s is permitted first name only).

(v) Two recent identical passport sized photographs, printed on photographic paper, correctly affixed to the registration card showing head and shoulders not obscured by the wearing of any sunglasses, scarves, hats or other.

(vi) On first applying for registration with the League, or after a break of one or more seasons, must submit a photocopy of their (a) valid passport, (b) birth certificate or such alternative proof of date of birth which shall be deemed as acceptable at the discretion of Management Committee.

(vii) The requesting Club has sole responsibility for ensuring that all documents submitted by the player and the player’s parent/guardian are valid and in order. Clubs must check the player’s original copy of (a) valid passport (b) birth certificate or other documents proving date of birth.

(viii) It is the sole responsibility of the requesting club to require the players parent or guardian to sign a club declaration confirming that the said player is not currently registered or has been registered with any other Club in league membership within the current playing season.

(ix) The correctly completed League Registration Cards and supporting documents must be sent to the Registration Administrator assigned to the age group in question. A correctly stamped and addressed envelope must also be provided for return of cards. Failure to provide sufficient postage when sending or return may result in a fine of up to £10.00.

(x) When satisfied that all documents are in order, the assigned Registration Administrator will countersign and date the League Registration Card. One half of the League Registration Card will then be returned to the Club for use as an identity card on match days. The League will retain the other half of the League Registration Card.

(xi) A player may only be currently registered for one team in this League, and may only play for the team in which he/she is currently registered. At least 5 days must elapse between endorsement of the registration card and the date of the match in which they first take part. A player who has been de-registered will not be permitted to re-register for the same team during the current season except for exceptional circumstances when the decision will be at the discretion of Management Committee.

(xii) Any Club Official found guilty of altering or tampering with an official league document will be charged with Gross Misconduct and dealt with under Rule 5D.

(xiii) A parent/guardian is prohibited from obtaining or holding a player registration card after completion of registration.

(xiv) Registration Cards shall be obtained from either Registration Secretary or the Registration Transfer Officer. An administration cost of £1.00 will be charged to clubs in respect of each card and invoiced through monthly accounts. Registration cards remain the sole property of the League at all times.

(xv) A player will become registered and eligible to participate in fixtures under the jurisdiction of the League provided the requirements of Rule 8A and 8C have been complied with in full and at least five days have elapsed since the date of endorsement of the Registration Card by the League Registration Administrator.

(xvi) Only bona-fide Club members shall be registered with the League and it is the sole responsibility of each Club to ensure that players are registered in the correct age group

(xvii) Where a player has his/her registration cancelled by his/her Club; the club must return the player registration card (within 7 days) a fully completed deregistration form (D1) endorsed by the Club Secretary, and includes the reason as to why the player is being de-registered, to the League Transfer Admin Officer, failure to comply may result in a fine of up to £20.00. A Club will not be able to de-register a player who is currently serving a suspension

(xviii) Where a Club or Team disbands, or withdraws from the League during the season for any reason, the registration cards of all currently registered players must be returned to the League Registration Secretary. Failure to return the cards within 10 days of the team disbanding or withdrawing may result in a fine of up to £50.00, and any further delay may result in the immediate suspension of Club Fixtures until such time as the cards are returned. Any cast fixtures which are covered by the suspension may be awarded to the opposing team. The registration of these players will then be considered cancelled.

(xix) Any player whose registration has been cancelled and then wishes to register for another Team or Club may only do so with the approval of Management Committee.

(xx) Players must complete a Club Membership Form, countersigned by their parent/guardian, which must incorporate any known serious medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details of the parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the player attends within the management of the Club or League.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(B) (i) Contract Players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under contract with the same Club who have a Team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System.

It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(ii) A Player registered with a Premier League or Football League Academy under the Elite Player Performance Plan contained within Youth Development Rules will not be permitted to play in this Competition. Details of the Youth Development Rules are published on The FA website. A Player registered with a FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club may play in this Competition subject to the FA Programme for Excellence (Female) Regulations.

(iii) Each Team must have the following number of Players registered 16 days before the start of each Playing Season:

FORMAT	MINIMUM NUMBER
5v5	5
7v7	7
9v9	9
11v11	11

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(iv) Teams must maintain the minimum number of registered players (Rule 8B (iii)) throughout the season.

A maximum of 10 players may be concurrently registered within 5-A-Side.
A maximum of 14 players may be concurrently registered within 7-A-Side
A maximum of 16 players may be concurrently registered within 9-A-Side
A maximum of 18 players may be concurrently registered within 11-A-Side (U13 to U16’s.)
A maximum of 24 players may be concurrently registered within 11-A-Side (U17’s and U21’s)

(v) Teams who have reached the maximum and wish to sign an additional player must first de-register a player as per Rule 8A(xvi) for league procedure when deregistering players.

(C) A child who has not attained the age of 6 shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match of any kind.

The relevant age for each Player is determined by his or her age as at midnight on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season i.e. children who are aged 6 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season (together with those who attain the age of 6 during the Playing Season) will be classed as Under 7 Players for that Playing Season. Children who are aged 7 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season will be classed as Under 8 Players for that Playing Season, and so on.

Notwithstanding the above, a child is permitted to play up in the age group above his or her chronological age group, irrespective of any changes of format or competition structure, save that a child who attains the age of 6 after 31 August is permitted to play only in the Under 7 age group, and may not play in the Under 8 age group, for that Playing Season.

The age groups that children are eligible to play in are set out in the table below, along with the permitted football formats for each of those age groups. Children shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than the stated number of players, according to their age group:

Age on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season	Eligible Age Groups	Maximum Permitted Format	Minimum Pitch Sizes		Maximum Pitch Sizes		Recommended Goal Sizes in feet	Ball Size
Age on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season	Eligible Age Groups	Maximum Permitted Format	Yards	Metres	Yards	Metres	Recommended Goal Sizes in feet	Ball Size
6	Under 7	5v5	30x20	27.45 x 18.3	40x30	36.3 x 27.45	12x6	3
6	Under 8	5v5	30x20	27.45 x 18.3	40x30	36.3 x 27.45	12x6	3
7	Under 8	5v5	30x20	27.45 x 18.3	40x30	36.3 x 27.45	12x6	3
7	Under 9	7v7	50x30	45.75 x 27.45	60x40	54.9 x 36.6	12x6	3
8	Under 9	7v7	50x30	45.75 x 27.45	60x40	54.9 x 36.6	12x6	3
8	Under 10	7v7	50x30	45.75 x 27.45	60x40	54.9 x 36.6	12x6	4
9	Under 10	7v7	50x30	45.75 x 27.45	60x40	54.9 x 36.6	12x6	4
9	Under 11	9v9	70x40	64 x 36.6	80x50	73.15 x 45.75	16x7	4
10	Under 11	9v9	70x40	64 x 36.6	80x50	73.15 x 45.75	16x7	4
10	Under 12	9v9	70x40	64 x 36.6	80x50	73.15 x 45.75	16x7	4
11	Under 12	9v9	70x40	64 x 36.6	80x50	73.15 x 45.75	16x7	4
11	Under 13	11v11	90x50	82.3x45.75	100x60	91.44 x 54.9	21x7	4
12	Under 13	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	100x60	91.44 x 54.9	21x7	4
12	Under 14	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	100x60	91.44 x 54.9	21x7	4
13	Under 14	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	100x60	91.44 x 54.9	21x7	4
13	Under 15	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	110x70	100.58 x 64	24x8	5
14	Under 15	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	110x70	100.58 x 64	24x8	5
14	Under 16	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	110x70	100.58 x 64	24x8	5
15	Under 16	11v11	90x50	82.3 x 45.75	110x70	100.58 x 64	24x8	5
	Under 17		100x50	91.44 x 45.75	130x100	118.87 x 91.44	24x8	5
	Under 18		100x50	91.44 x 45.75	130x100	118.87 x 91.44	24x8	5
16	Under 17	11v11	100x50	91.44 x 45.75	130x100	118.87 x 91.44	24x8	5
	Under 18		100x50	91.44 x 45.75	130x100	118.87 x 91.44	24x8	5
	Open Age		100x50	91.44 x 45.75	130x100	118.87 x 91.44	24x8	5

(D) A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered, if applicable.

(E) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

In the event of a Player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the Player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the Player of the fact of the previous registration.

(F) It shall be deemed a breach of these Rules for a Player to: -

(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.

(ii) Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season, except for the purpose of a transfer.

(iii) Submit a signed registration form or submit a registration through WGS for registration that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(iv) Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(G) (i) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below.

(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player, the exercise of such power being without prejudice to the Management Committee’s ability to fine a Club at its discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) that has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall also have the power to refuse or cancel the registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct, such refusal or cancellation being subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Where the Management Committee does not have enough information to enable it to make a decision pursuant to the above power, it may apply, in its absolute discretion, to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA for further information.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

(iv) For a Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with clause (iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.

(Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall only be taken against a Player in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)

(H) Subject to compliance with FA Rule C 2(a) when a Club wishes to register a Player who is already registered with another Club it shall submit a transfer form (in a format as determined by the Competition) to the Competition accompanied by a fee as set out in the Fees Tariff. Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the Club for which the Player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Competition and to the Player concerned within 7 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 7 days, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the Player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or days after receipt of such transfer as per rule 8H (iv).

In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

(i) The Club the player wishes to transfer to must first ascertain that all kit and equipment has been returned to the club the players are currently signed to. Once confirmed the club can then make application to the League Transfer Admin Officer for a League Transfer Form, this request can only be made by a Club Official (see Rule 8A (xiii)

(ii) When completed by Clubs, the player and the player’s parent/guardian, the Transfer Form shall be returned to the League Transfer Admin Officer, together with the player’s Registration Card. A fee of £5.00 will be charged to the transferring clubs account. The requesting club has a maximum of 14 days from the form being issued to being submitted.

(iii) The Transfer Admin Officer is then empowered to sanction the transfer on behalf of Management Committee.

(iv) The Transfer Admin Officer will amend, date and sign the player’s Registration Card and send this to the receiving Club. The player will become eligible to play for the receiving Club from the date indicated on the Registration Card.

(v) Should the player’s existing Club object to the transfer, the reasons for such objection must be provided in writing to the League Transfer Admin Officer within 7 days of receipt of the Transfer request. The Registration Card of the player must be surrendered to the League Transfer Admin Officer at the same time. The League Transfer Admin Officer shall then refer the matter to Management Committee for a decision.

(vi) A Club cannot cancel the registration of a player who is subject to transfer procedure.

(vii) Clubs or Club Secretaries desiring to approach a player of another Club with a view to transfer can only do so with the permission of that Club and must comply in full with the regulations concerning approach as laid down in FA Rule C2(a).

(viii) A player will only be permitted one transfer during any one season, except for exceptional circumstances that has been agreed by the management committee.

(ix) Clubs will only be permitted to transfer a maximum of two players from a team of another Club during any one season.

(x) Players who internally transfer within an age group or to a different age group within the same Club must do so by following the transfer procedure laid down in Rule 8H. Except for the special provisions laid down in Rule 8J (ii) Clubs will only be permitted to internally transfer a maximum of 2 players from one team to another, except by special permission of the Management Committee.

(xi) If a transfer request results in the releasing team falling out of compliance with Rule 8B (iii) sanction of the transfer may be delayed for a period not exceeding 28 days to allow sufficient time for the releasing Club to sign a replacement player.

(I) A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the last day in February except by special permission of the Management Committee.

(J) A Club shall keep a list of the Players it registers and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.

In the event a Club has more than one Team in an age group, each Team must be clearly identifiable but not designated ‘A’ or ‘B’ or 1st or 2nd. In such cases, Players will be registered for one Team only. A Player so registered will be allowed to play for his Club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8(C).

(i) Clubs in the Mini-Soccer Section only, who wish to enter a second team in the same age group, at mid-season may do so by requesting a “Block Transfer Form” (such changes remain subject to the provisions of Rule 8B (iii)

The form is obtained from and returned to the League Transfer Admin Officer together with Registration Cards of all players concerned. A single transfer fee of £5.00 will be charged in these circumstances. Such players will be eligible to play for their new team on receipt of the amended Registration cards. Such players remain subject to the provisions of Rule 8L (iii) and Rule 24E for Challenge Cup and Trophy Competitions. Please note the Block Transfer form is solely for the purpose of new Mini-Soccer Spring teams.

(K) A register containing the names of all Players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.

In the event of a Non-Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a Non-Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 8(B)(i).

(L) A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the Player has played three league games for that Team in this Competition in the current Playing Season.

(i) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any challenge cup or Trophy semi-final or final tie unless the player has previously played a minimum of three league or cup matches under the jurisdiction of this League.

(ii) A player who has signed the match card shall be considered to have taken part in the match in question.

(iii) Players who have transferred or whose registration has been cancelled shall not be permitted to play for their new team in the Challenge Cup or Trophy Competitions if they have already played in a Challenge Cup or Trophy match at any age group for their previous team. (See also Rule 24E)

(M) (i) Subject to Rule 8(M)(ii), any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a match or matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(ii) The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 8(M)(i) only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.

(iii) Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible player in accordance with Rule 8(M)(i) above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion:

(a) Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed;

(b) Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or

(i) In the event of an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player taking part in a cup match, the tie will be awarded to the opponents and the offending team expelled from the competition.

(ii) In the event that both teams play an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player in the same match, both teams may be fined up to a maximum of £50.00 and the match will be declared null and void. In the event of this occurring in a cup or trophy match both teams will be expelled from the competition.

(iii) For the purposes of this rule, an ineligible player is a player who is not registered, or is suspended by the County Association or League, or is overage, is not qualified under the rules, Rule 10I (v) or the cup and trophy competitions.

(iv) Teams subsequently found to have been in breach of this rule on more than one occasion may also be liable to expulsion from the League.

(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving Players in full-time secondary education):

(N) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) The availability of children must be cleared with the head teachers (except for Sunday Competitions).

(ii) A child under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season, shall not be permitted to play in a Competition Match during that Playing Season where any other Player is older or younger than that child by two years or more.

CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME

9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 1^st July who shall decide as to their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other Players and the Match Officials.

No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper jersey) at least four days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the home Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick-off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they shall be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(B) Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority and from the Management Committee. Any Club wishing to change its colours during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY

TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10. (A) All Competition Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, and 9v9 football, the Rules as set down by The FA.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their Grounds in a playable condition. All Competition Matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facility are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.

Football Turf Pitches are allowed in this Competition. All Football Turf Pitches used must be on The FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches and must be tested (by an accredited test institute) every 3 years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.

The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 10(C).

All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event, shall be of equal halves.

Matches should be played in accordance with the Laws appropriate to the relevant age group, as laid down by The FA, as detailed below.

Age Group	Minimum duration of play per half (minutes)	Maximum duration of play per half (minutes)	Maximum playing time in one day in all organised development fixtures (minutes)	Maximum playing time in one day in all tournaments and trophy events / festivals (minutes)	Competition structure
Under 7 and Under 8	10	20	40	60	Development focussed with a maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 2 week periods (6 weeks)
Under 9 and Under 10	20	25	60	90	Development focussed with a maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 4 week periods (12 weeks)
Under 11	20	30	80	120	Development focussed with a maximum of 3 trophy events per season over 6 week periods (18 weeks)
Under 12	20	30	80 (if applicable)	120	Any varieties including one season long league table
Under 13 and Under 14	25	35	100	150	Any varieties including one season long league table
Under 15 and Under 16	25	40	100	150	Any varieties including one season long league table
Under 17, & Under 18	25	45	120	180	Any varieties including one season long league table
Under 21	30	45	120	180	Any varieties including one season long league table

For round robin/trophy events, the maximum duration of play per half cannot be exceeded, but the minimum duration of play per half may be adjusted.

For trophy events, the Competition may award mementos.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the match with written notification given to the Secretary at least five days prior.

Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Secretary.

The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Secretary if the footballs are unsuitable. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) The official season of the League shall be (as agreed at the AGM). No team shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretaries must not be arranged for a date later than the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.

(ii) During this period matches will normally be arranged for every Sunday excepting Sundays nearest to Christmas, New Year and Easter. Matches may be arranged for days other than a Sunday but only by the mutual consent of both teams. Such arrangements must be agreed by the League Fixture Secretaries in advance of the date. The fixture will then be regarded as cast and subject to the full provision of Rule 10. Selkent league, challenge cup and other trophy matches shall take priority over all other games, with the exception of County Cup games and must be played as laid down by the League Fixtures Secretary. Where a team is unable to fulfil a laid down Selkent fixture due to a re-arranged County or Selkent Cup match it is the responsibility of that team, regardless of being the home or away team, to notify its opponents of the cancellation. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5.00 and render the defaulting team liable for any expenses incurred by their opponents

(iii) A Club may request a fixture break for any of its teams if school trips and/or Club tours will lead to an infringement of Rule 10D. Such requests must be made in writing to the Fixture Secretary by submitting a fully completed F2 at least 21 days before the relevant Sunday, and ensuring that an acknowledgement is received.

(iv) Any other requests will be at the discretion of the Management Committee, and shall be binding. All requests must be made in writing to the Management Committee at least 21 days before the relevant Sunday. No team will be considered for a fixture brake more than twice in a season. With the exception of School trips (See Rules 8N & 10D), F2s are not accepted for League Semi-Finals or Finals. Where a match is cancelled due to a team being granted a break in its’ fixtures, it is the responsibility of that team to immediately notify its opponents of the postponement and to confirm this in writing. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5.00 and render the defaulting team liable to any expenses incurred by their opponents.

(v) Clubs must submit to the appropriate Fixture Secretary, by 15^th August a completed “Home Pitch Availability” form for all teams at each age group, giving details of venues and dates of home pitch availabilities for the forthcoming season (Please note: The league cannot guarantee to facilitate all dates of pitch permits submissions). Failure to provide this information by the due date will render the Club liable to a fine of £5.00 per defaulting team. Where pitch venues, as notified at the beginning of the season on the “Home Pitch Availability” form are changed, Clubs must notify the appropriate Fixture Secretary of such changes 10 days prior to the change. Failure to do so will render the Club liable to a fine of £10.

(B) Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

(i) A team may only enter one County Cup Competition each season, which must be named on the application form.

(ii) Under 7’s & Under 8’s Two games 10 minutes each way

Mini-Soccer Fixtures Under 7’s & Under 8’s will be arranged in such a way as to allow two matches to be played at the same venue on the same day against the same opposition. Matches shall be played in the order as laid down by the Fixtures Secretary on the Fixtures List. Playing times for matches in this section cannot be shortened. Please note teams found not to be playing the above format will be charged with bringing the league into disrepute (Rule 5D)
Under 9 & 10 - 25 minutes each way
Under 11 (non-competitive) - 30 minutes each way

Under 12 - 30 minutes each way normal time.

-10 minutes each way extra time.

Under 13 and 14 - 35 minutes each way normal time.

- 10 minutes each way extra time.

Under 15 and 16 - 40 minutes each way normal time.

- 10 minutes each way extra time.

Under 17 to Under 21 - 45 minutes each way normal time.

- 15 minutes each way extra time.
With the exception of double-headers, only one match per day will be allowed for age groups Under 11 to Under 21.
Playing times may be shortened to a minimum of
20 minutes each way (Under 11, 12, 13 and 14),
25 minutes each way (Under 15, 16, 17 and 18)

30 minutes each way (Under 21)
provided this is mutually agreed between the Team Managers and the Referee.
No player under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31st August shall be permitted to play more than 100 minutes on the same day.

(iii) All matches shall take place according to the fixtures lists, amendment lists or as directed by the League Fixtures Secretaries. Clubs refusing to play a cast league fixture or giving false information, that prevents the said team from fulfilling its league cast fixture will be charged with bringing the league into disrepute and dealt with under Rule 5D.
The Fixtures Lists shall be the responsibility of the respective League Fixtures Secretaries who shall have the authority to re-cast a league game with Management Committee approval, to ensure the overall interests of all teams in the competition.

(iv) DOUBLE HEADER MATCHES

In the event of inclement weather and or adverse playing conditions the Management Committee may authorise the playing of Double-Header games to ensure that the League programme is brought to an orderly completion. Double-Header games only apply to Transitional Soccer and Youth Football and consist of two teams playing one another twice on the same day at the same location.

Double-header games will only be introduced when strictly necessary. Matches will be played on the ground of the Home team as determined by the Fixtures Secretary.

Each match may consist of different registered players for each team but registration cards must be produced and full match card procedures followed for each separate match. Where appropriate substitutes must also be separately named to the referee before the commencement of each match. Separate match cards must be completed for each game and sent to the appropriate Registration Administrator in accordance with Rule 11A.

A team not ready to play at the time of the first scheduled kick-off shall be deemed as absent, (subject to Rule 10C (i). The second game will be played as soon as possible.

No more than a 10-minute break shall be allowed between the two separate matches. Half-time intervals may be reduced if agreeable to both sides and the referee.

Referees shall be entitled to claim a separate fee for each game. Each team shall be responsible for one fee to be paid to the referee before the commencement of each game.
A player who is dismissed from the field of play by the referee in the first match shall be eligible to take part in the second game.
The duration of each game shall be as follows: -
Under 11 (Transitional-soccer) – 15 minutes each way
Under 12 and 13 - 20 minutes each way
Under 14 and 15 - 25 minutes each way
Under 16, 17, 18 and 21 - 30 minutes each way

(C) An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the group and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and the secretary of the opposing Club at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) The permissible kick-off times shall be fixed at the AGM. For all games, the home team shall decide the scheduled kick- off time subject to this being in line with the agreed kick-off times at the AGM.
Kick-off times outside these times must be mutually agreed by both teams. Matches must commence no later than 20 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, unless mutually agreed by both teams. If a fixture does not take place due to a delay in kick –off time, it will be regarded as an unfulfilled fixture and dealt with under the provisions of Rule 10E (iiB).

(ii) Fixture dates will be confirmed in the following manner: -
The Club Fixture Secretary shall enter all home cast fixtures for League, League Cup & County Cup competitions onto the League Official Web Site by the Tuesday prior to the match. The opposing club fixture secretary must confirm receipt of match details via web site by the Tuesday prior to the match. Failure to follow the correct fixture notification or confirmation procedure may result in a fine of up to £50.00 for each offence. Only written evidence will be accepted by the Management Committee in the matter of any disputes.

D. The minimum number of Players that will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is as follows:

FORMAT	MINIMUM NUMBER
5v5	4
7v7	5
9v9	6
11v11	7

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(E) (i) In Competitions where points are awarded home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have the power to impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s Ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

(ii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a fixture has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the (Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials.

(iiA) Any Club failing to comply will be subject to a fine of £10.00 for the first offence and up to £30.00 for any subsequent offences and liable to any expenses incurred by its opponents.

(iiB) When, for any reason, a fixture is not fulfilled on the due date, both clubs must provide written notification of the circumstances to the league Fixture Secretary within three days. Form FS1 is available for this purpose. Failure to comply with this instruction may result in a fine of £20.00 for the first offence and up to £30.00 for any subsequent offences.
The Management Committee shall therefore review the circumstances relating to all such unfulfilled fixtures, where they consider these to be unacceptable, the match shall be awarded to the opposing team (no goals) and the defaulting club may be fined up to £20.00 for the first offence and up to £50.00 for any subsequent offence, by the same team. The defaulting club shall be liable for the match fees of any league appointed match official and any additional costs incurred by the league.
In circumstances where the away team is the defaulting team and the provided pitch is unused, the home team may be entitled to charge for the cost of the pitch. Such claims must be made in writing (FS1) and sent to the League Fixture Secretary, accompanied by a valid receipt or other proof of payment. In such cases where the claim does not exceed £80.00, the Management Committee shall reimburse the pitch cost directly to the home team Club and recover this from the defaulting Club through the normal monthly accounts procedures. Clubs clamming pitch costs exceeding £80.00 will be required to claim their pitch cost direct from the defaulting Club.

(iii) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the (Fixtures) Secretary within one day the Management Committee shall have the power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the Clubs involved agree, the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(iv) The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.

(ivA) In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void.

(v) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(M)(i) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the match must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any match in this Competition.

Where a Competition does not allow return substitutes:

For Under 17s and Under 18s – [up to 3 may be selected from 3 substitute Players] [up to 4 may be selected from 4 substitute Players] [up to 5 may be selected from 5 substitute Players].

Where a Competition does allow return substitutes:

For Under 21s – up to 5 may be selected from 5 substitute Players. A Player who has been substituted becomes a substitute and may replace any Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football

For Under 11s - Under 18s –up to 5 may be selected from 5 substitute Players. A Player who has been substituted becomes a substitute and may replace any Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the Match Official. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A Player who has been replaced may return to the play as a substitute for another Player. A Team must not have a match day squad greater than double the size of its Team in an age group.

In Youth Football only, the referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 5 minutes before the start of the match and a Player not so named may not take part in the match.

A Player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(G) The half time interval shall be of five minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Match Officials.

(H) The Teams taking part in Under 7’s to Under 11’s or Youth Football shall identify a Team captain who may wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

MATCH CARD PROCEDURE

(I) (i) Only players who have been properly registered in accordance with Rule 8 may take part in matches. All players whose names appear on the match card must also sign the match card in ink when, and not before, they have changed for play.

Managers must ensure they are holding the opposition match card before they commence match card procedure.

(ii) The away Team Manager will witness the signing of home team players and the home Team Manager will witness the signing of away team players. Player registration cards with properly affixed photographs will be provided to the opposing Team Manager so that the players can be properly identified as he/she signs the match card in front of the opposing team Manager.

A player who arrives after the commencement of the match shall be eligible to play, after match card procedure has been carried out. A player who has signed the match card is deemed to have taken part in the match.

On completion of player identification and prior to the commencement of the match, each team Manager signs & prints their name on the opposition match card that they are now holding, by using the designated boxes on the match card. This first signature confirms match card procedure has been completed as per league Rule 10I (ii).

(iii) After the match, Team Managers are responsible for adding (to their opponent’s card which is now in their possession): -
The final match score, Referee Mark (as required under Rule 13H (i) and their own signature (in the designated box), endorsing the game has reached its conclusion and the information is correct.

(iv) The said Manager is then responsible for posting the opponent’s match card to the relevant Registration Administrator, ensuring it is received within THREE days of the date of the match. Continued breach of this rule shall be deemed gross misconduct and dealt with under Rule 5D.

(v) A player or team whose registration cards are not available for inspection by the opposing team shall not be permitted to take part in the match and will be deemed ineligible (see Rule 8M).

(vi) Teams found not to have carried out match card procedure shall be liable to a fine of up to £50.00. Any Team Manager who refuses to carry out match card procedures in accordance with this rule shall be deemed guilty of bringing the League into disrepute and dealt with under Rule 5D.

(i) In the event that it is proven both teams breached League Rule 10I in failing to complete Match Card procedure thus enabling an ineligible player to take part in an official league cast competitive fixture may see the game void.

REPORTING RESULTS

11. (A) The Registration Administrator must receive within THREE days of the date played, the result of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the Team Players (in block letters) and the referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) Each match card must be signed twice by the opposition Team Manager and must contain the following information: -

(a) Opponent’s player’s forename and surname

(b) Players registration numbers in numerical order

(d) Match Score

(e) Referee Name & Mark

(ii) All players whose names appear on the match card must also sign the match card. Any player named but fails to attend must be clearly marked absent. Errors or omissions on the match card may result in a fine of £5.00 per card. It is the responsibility of each Team Manager to ensure that they submit a correctly completed match card.

(B) Both Clubs notify the result of each match to the Fixture Secretary by 6.00pm. Clubs in default shall be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) It is the responsibility of each member club to ensure that their Appointed Club representative enters all their match scores (home & away) including County Cup Games onto the League Official Website before 6.00pm on the day of the match, this includes the teams in rule 11D. Failure to enter the match scores before 6.00pm will result in the offending Club being fined £10.00 for the first offence and up to £20.00 for any subsequent offence.

(ii) Postponed or abandoned matches and unfulfilled fixtures, including County Cup games, must also be entered onto the league web site. Failure to do so will result in the offending Club being fined £10.00 for the first offence and up to £20.00 for any subsequent offence.

(iii) Failure to enter the correct match scores may result in the offending Club being fined £10.00 for the first offence and up to £20.00 for any subsequent offence.

(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Club, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to do so will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(D) The Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect but NOT publish results or any grading tables for fixtures involving Under 7s, Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, and Under11s. Any Competition failing to abide by this Rule will be dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and any Club failing to abide by this Rule will be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff). The Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect and publish results for trophy events.
(E) The Competition may require a Club to confirm that a set fixture has been played. A fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) may be imposed for a breach of this Rule.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

12. (A) In Competitions where points are awarded, Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with two points to be awarded for a win (F.A. County Pilot Scheme) and one point for a drawn match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points Team rankings may be determined by deciding matches played under conditions determined by the Management Committee, or the position shared.

(i) In the event of two or more teams being equal on points, team rankings will be decided in order of the following ways, with each criteria only being considered if the previous one fails to determine the ranking.

1. The number of games won.

2. The results of the matches played between those teams, but not counting goal difference.

3. Single play-off to be decided on penalties if the score is still level after extra time, with the playing conditions to be determined by the Management Committee.

(B) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its league championship fixtures for the season, all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the League table. Where a team withdraws after completion of 75% of its league championship fixtures, points for the remaining games will be awarded to opponents with no goals to count.

(C) In the event of any team withdrawing from the competition during the course of the season all monies will be confiscated and the defaulting team may be barred from competition in the next highest age group for the following season at the discretion of Management Committee.

(D) Clubs in age groups Under 12 upwards will be placed in Divisions according to playing strength at the discretion of the Management Committee in the descending order of Premier Division (where applicable), Division A, Division B, Division C and Division D. Where circumstances dictate, Regional Divisions may also be formed, based on the geographic location of their home grounds.

(E) Teams winning their respective Regional Divisions may be invited to participate in a “Championship” play-off match at the end of each season at the discretion of Management Committee.

(F) Teams finishing in the top two places in Divisions B, C and D will be entitled to promotion to the next highest Division for the following season. For Regional Divisions only the winners of each such Division will be entitled to promotion.
(G) All other placing shall be at the discretion of Management Committee who will be guided by available vacancies expected playing strength and the preferences shown by Clubs on their application for membership forms.
(H) Composition of Divisions for the new season will be advised to Clubs in July. Any request for a change of placing must be made in writing to the General Secretary within 7 days. Such requests will be considered by Management Committee and may be accepted or rejected based on the overall interests of all teams in the competition. The Management Committee decision will then be considered final.
(I) Divisions in the Mini-Soccer Under 7 to Under 10 age groups will be arranged in such a manner as to allow the season to be divided into two separate halves so that two separate league competitions can be arranged weather permitting. After completion of the first league programme new Divisions will be formed to allow for a second league programme to take place. The allocation of teams to divisions after completion of the first programme will be in accordance with perceived playing strength but will also be at the sole discretion of Management Committee.

REFEREES

13. (A) Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Association(s).

(i) The League Referee Secretaries shall be appointed for this purpose. Clubs must accept such duly appointed Referee or Assistant Referee.

(ii) The League Referee Secretary will advise and confirm match details to the Home Club, Opposition and Referee. In the event of these details having to be changed, the League Referee Secretary, appointed Referee and Assistants must be notified immediately. Failure to do so may result in the club being responsible for the League Referee fee and a fine of £30 for the first offence and up to £50 for any subsequent offence.

(B) In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee.

Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a Referee or Assistant Referee in any open age competition and individuals under the age of 14 must not participate either as a Referee or Assistant Referee in any competition. Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 are only eligible to officiate in competitions where the players’ age band is at least one year younger than the age of the Referee, for example, a 15-year-old Referee may only officiate in competitions where the age banding is 14 or younger.

(i) In cases where the League is unable to provide an appointed referee or the appointed referee fails to appear, the teams concerned must agree upon a substitute referee under all circumstances. Failure to abide by Rule 13B may see the game void.

(ii) If a current qualified and a County registered referee is available he/she shall take priority over any other candidate and qualifies for the appropriate payment if independent from both clubs.

(C) Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £25.00 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) being imposed on the defaulting Club.

(D) The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all matches and the decision shall be final.

(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Association, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid their fees and expenses in accordance with the Fees Tariff.

Match Officials will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club unless otherwise ordered by the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the sanctioning Association, Match Officials appointed by the League Referee Secretary under this Rule shall be paid a match fee as follows: -

(Mini-Soccer Referee (20/30 minutes’ duration) - £10.00 per match.
(50 minutes’ duration) - £20.00 per match

Transitional Football (9v9) Referee - £25.00 per match.
Transitional Football (9v9) Assistant Referee - £23.00 per match.

Youth Football Referee (under 13 to 14) - £30.00 per match.
Youth Football Assistant Referee (under 13 to 14) - £25.00 per match.

Youth Football Referee (under 15 to 17) - £35.00 per match.
Youth Football Assistant Referee (under 15 to 17) - £28.00 per match.

Youth Football (U18 & Transitional U21’s Referee - £40.00 per match
Youth Football Assistant Referee (U18 & Transitional U21’s Assistant Referee - £30.00 per match

(ii) For League games, the Referee Fee shall be paid by the Home Team. For League Games Assistant Referees Fees shall be shared between both teams but the responsibility for actual payment to the officials concerned will reside with the Home Club. League Cup and Single Trophy/Shield matches the Referee Fee shall be paid by Away Club, Assistant Referees Fees shall be shared between both Teams but the responsibility for actual payment to the officials concerned will reside with the Home Club.

Match fees must be paid to the appointed match officials prior to the commencement of the game

(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to expenses only. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee and expenses. Failure to comply with the Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(ii) The responsibility for actual payment to the officials concerned will reside with the
Home Club. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to £25.00. Requests for re-imbursement for the Referee fee from the away team must be detailed on the SF1 submitted under Rule 10E.

(G) A referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she is registered.

(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

(i) Where a Club marks a Referee 60 or under a letter of explanation must be sent to the League Referee Secretary within 7 days of the match. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00.

(I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by the prescribed date each Playing Season, shall submit a summary to The FA/County FA.

(J) The referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, to the Referee Secretary within two days of the match.

(K) Match Officials who attend the annual Referee Meeting shall be supplied, each Playing Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) Any Club wishing to resign from the Competition must do so at least 7 days before the AGM. Failure to do so will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(B) The Management Committee shall have the discretion to deal with a Team being unable to start or complete its fixtures for a Playing Season, including but not limited to, issuing a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all its teams from the League after the formulation of the divisions for the following season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable for a fine not exceeding £100.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5D.

(i) The membership for the coming season, having been decided at the Annual General Meeting held not later than 14th July, the League shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this rule to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) to join another competition and may hold the Club to its engagements.

(C) In addition to the powers of the Management Committee pursuant to Rule 5(I), in the event of a member Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee are empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

15. (A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of Players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee.

Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the match.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (as set out more fully at Rule 15(A) above) (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within 7 days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

(C) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £25.00 in accordance with the Fees Tariff. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the inquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

(D) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.

(i) All parties must have received 7 days’ notice of the hearing should they be instructed to attend.

(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should forward a deposit of £25.00 and indicate such when forwarding the written response.

(E) If so requested by all parties concerned, the Management Committee may determine any disputes, protests, appeals, claims or complaints between two Clubs in which event both Clubs shall send a non-returnable fee. Such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties concerned. The procedure for such determination shall be determined by the Management Committee.

APPEALS

16. (A) Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee as set out in the Fees Tariff, which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the Secretary. The procedure for the appeal shall be determined by the Sanctioning Authority, in such respect the Sanctioning Authority may (but is not obliged to):

(i) Invite submissions by the parties involved;

(ii) Convene a hearing to hear the appeal;

(iii) Permit new evidence; or

(iv) Impose deadlines as are appropriate.

Any appeal shall not involve a rehearing of the evidence considered by the Management Committee.

(B) No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

17. (A) At the AGM or Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(B) At the AGM, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or Team whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(C) Any Officer or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a Player or Players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.

(i) Any Team whose members, officials or supporters have been reported by the referee to a County Football Association for causing a match to be abandoned or for other misconduct of a serious nature, may not be offered fixtures from a designated date until the matter is dealt with by the County Association and/or a Disciplinary Commission of the League.

(ii) Any Team, Player, Club Official or Club Member reported by the referee to a County Association for alleged assault shall be liable, depending on instruction received from that County Association, to immediate suspension from all football activity within the League until such time as the County Football Association has adjudicated in the matter.

TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.

18. (A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:

“We A [name]and B [name], the Chairman and Secretary of [ ] FC (Limited), members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of [ ]Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before 1st Wednesday in February of the current season. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”

Failure to comply will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(i) Failure to return trophies on the date due as per Rule 18A shall result in the defaulting Club being fined £30.00 per trophy. If trophies are still not returned by one month after the deadline(s) the defaulting Clubs will incur a further £30.00 fine per trophy and may have its fixtures withdrawn until such time as the trophy is returned and held in good condition. Any cast fixtures which are covered by the suspension may be awarded to the opposing team

(ii) Clubs are responsible, at their cost, for the neat engraving of the Clubs name and the year/season of award on each trophy. If failing to do this, before return, it will be done by the League and the Club charged accordingly, and fined £10.00.

(iii) Clubs are responsible for maintaining the condition and cleanliness of the trophy whilst in its possession. If the club fails to return the trophy in a satisfactory condition, the league will arrange for the trophy to be cleaned and the club will be charged £10.00

(B) At the close of each Competition awards may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

At least 7 days’ notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

Each member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

Any continuing member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

ALTERATION TO RULES

20. Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Association, shall be made to these Rules only at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to the Rule relating to the qualification of Players shall not take effect until the following Playing Season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1^st May in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 15^th May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 29^th May. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority of those present, entitled to vote and voting are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA (as applicable) at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting.

(i) All proposals from Clubs must be seconded by another Club.

FINANCE

21. (A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.

(B) All expenditure in excess of £200.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 31^st May.

(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited/verified annually by some suitably qualified person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.

(i) The control and safe keeping of the League’s finances shall be vested in the trustees of the League who shall be the serving Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurers. All monies due to the League for any purpose shall be paid to the Treasurers, either of whom shall have the power to issue a receipt, duly signed.

(ii) At each Monthly Meeting, a Statement of Account for monies due to the League will be issued to every Club. These accounts must be paid in full at the said General Meeting or within fourteen days of the statement being issued. Thereafter, any outstanding account will incur a fine of £5.00 for late payment and, if not cleared within a further 14 days, will result in the immediate withdrawal of all fixtures for the Club until paid. Any cast fixtures which are covered by the suspension may be awarded to the opposing team.
(iii) Any Club which, due to exceptional circumstances, experiences temporary difficulty in complying with Rule 21D(ii) must forward an explanatory letter to the Treasurer before elapse of the 14 days’ grace.

INSURANCE

22. (A) All Clubs must have valid public liability insurance cover of at least ten million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.

(B) All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ personal accident insurance cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by The Association.

Failure to comply with Rule 22(A) or 22(B) will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

DISSOLUTION

23. (A) Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at a Special General Meeting by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant Special General Meeting.

(B) In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition.

(i) Any surplus assets, save for a Trophy or any other presentation, remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or Affiliated Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the Sanctioning Association.

(ii) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the Sanctioning Association may decide.

CUP COMPETITION RULES

24. (A) The League will provide one trophy for each age-group division and this shall be known as the ‘Challenge Cup’. All Teams in age groups Under 12 and above must enter this competition. The League will provide individual awards to each competing player in a Challenge Cup final.

(B) For extra Cup and Trophy Competitions entry shall be by invitation. The League will, obtain awards and these may be charged to the clubs concerned in the final, when the result is known.

(C) The control and management of these competitions shall be vested in the Management Committee. Entrance fees for the Challenge Cup competitions must be paid before the first round is drawn.

(D) All Challenge Cup rounds will be drawn before commencement of the season by a sub-committee comprising the Fixtures Secretaries (or their nominees) plus at least two and no more than five co-opted members. Teams which are participating in ‘A’ divisions shall be excluded from Challenge Cup rounds until that in which the last 32 teams are paired off. This round shall be termed the first round. Preceding rounds will be termed preliminary rounds.

(E) To be eligible for a semi-final or final tie, a player must have played for that team in at least three matches under the jurisdiction of the Selkent League during the current season. Where exceptional circumstances prevail, a Club may request special dispensation from the Management Committee to permit a player to take part in a semi-final or final tie. Such request must be put in writing at least seven days prior to the match in question and the decision of the Management Committee shall be final. No player, having played in one Challenge Cup for one team, shall play for another club or team in the same competition or in a different age-group.

(F). MINI-SOCCER CHALLENGE CUPS

(a) All Cup-Ties to be played in accordance with the Laws of Mini-Soccer as set down by the Football Association.

(b) Teams in Mini-Soccer Challenge Cup Competitions will be drawn in groups of three to each play one another on an elimination basis. Matches shall be played in the order shown in the published draw unless the Clubs concerned mutually agree otherwise. Two points will be awarded for each win and one point for each draw. The overall winners shall proceed to the next round. Competitions may also be sub-divided into sections as the Fixtures Secretary deems desirable. In the event of a team failing to complete a tie in full, all points obtained by, or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the tie.

(c) If two or more teams are level on points at the completion of all three matches, the winners will be decided by goal difference. If goal difference is also equal, the winners will be the team scoring the highest number of goals. If a tie still exists between two teams at the completion of the three matches, those two teams shall play extra time and, if necessary, use the penalty shootout procedure (see Rule 24G(b)) to determine the eventual winners. All Mini-Soccer players who have taken part in the match shall be eligible to take part in the penalty shootout. If all three teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored after completion of the three matches the tie will be replayed at a later date to be determined by the Fixtures Secretary.

(d) Any team that is absent or refuses to play extra-time or complete the penalty shoot-out procedure shall be expelled from the competition and the match awarded to their opponents. They may also be liable for a fine of up to £10.00.

(e) Mini-Soccer Challenge Cup competitions shall be concluded with a final tie or ties with winners, runners-up and third places being decided.

(f) Pitch expenses for Challenge Cup ties will be paid by the home club.

Referee and assistant referee’s match fees shall be paid by the away club who will be responsible for actual payment to the officials before the teams take to the field of play.

(G) TRANSITIONAL SOCCER and YOUTH FOOTBALL CHALLENGE CUPS

(a) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or as amended by the Football Association for 9-a-side football.

(b) Teams will be drawn in pairs and matches played on a knock-out basis. The first named Club in each pairing shall have ground preference and there will be no replays. Extra-time is to be played in all ties if the game is a draw at full time. If, after extra-time, a draw still stands, the following penalty kick procedure shall be adopted. Each side shall select five penalty kickers from the players who were on the pitch at the conclusion of extra-time and they shall take penalties alternately against the opposing goalkeeper. All five of each side to compete. The side scoring the most penalties shall be deemed the winners. In the event that there is still a tie after this procedure, the penalties will be taken alternately by opposing pairs on a sudden death basis. In this case neither side shall use any of the original five selected kickers until all remaining players, including the goalkeeper, have taken a penalty kick. Teams are permitted to exclude a player from the penalty kick only if he is genuinely injured and notified as such prior to the penalty kick procedure commencing.

(c) Challenge Cup competitions shall be concluded with a final tie on a neutral ground with winners and runners-up to be decided.

(d) Pitch expenses for Challenge Cup ties will be paid by the Home Club, the Referee Fee shall be paid by Away Club, Assistant Referees Fees shall be shared between both Teams but the responsibility for actual payment to the officials concerned will reside with the Home Club.

Match fees must be paid to the appointed match officials prior to the commencement of the game

25. INVITATION TROPHY COMPETITIONS (SHIELDS)
(i) Teams shall be allowed to participate in additional Shield Competitions at the invitation of the Management Committee. The organisation and management of these additional competitions shall be the responsibility of the League Fixtures Secretary.

(ii) At the discretion of the League Fixtures Secretary, Invitation Shield Competitions may be arranged on a knock-out basis with the winners of each tie being decided after extra-time and penalties when necessary.

(iii) At the discretion of the League Fixtures Secretary, Invitation Shield Competitions may also be arranged on a Group League basis with winners and runners-up to meet one another in a final. If the result of the said final is a draw at full time, the result of the match will be determined by penalties, with no extra time being played.

(iv) Team rankings within each Group League shall be decided on points, with two points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. In the event of a draw no extra time shall be played in any of the Group League games. The team gaining the highest number of points on their respective division at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.

(v) In the event of two or more teams being equal on points for 1^st or 2^nd place, the team with the highest goal difference shall be adjudged the winner. If goal difference is also equal, the team scoring the highest number of goals shall be adjudged the winner. In the event that two teams are still equal, the positioning shall be decided by a single play-off game to be decided on penalties if the scores are still level after extra-time.

(vi) A condition of entry and acceptance is that teams must be prepared to play on a Saturday or Mid-Week if such action is necessary for the orderly completion of the Invitation Shield Competition. Teams failing to comply with these conditions of entry will be withdrawn from the competition.

(vii) Teams that fail to play two Shield cast fixtures may be withdrawn from the
competition.

(viii) Invitation Shield Competitions that are abandoned due to one or both teams being at fault will see the team(s) withdrawn from the competition.

26. COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

A. County Courses (Arranged by the Selkent League)

(i) Level One, Safe-Guarding Children, Club Welfare Officer and F.A. Emergency Aid

(ii) Member Clubs are only permitted to apply for places on the above courses if the applicant is a Club official or a registered team member participating in the Selkent League.

(iii) If an applicant fails to meet the above criteria, any special rate or incentive will not apply and the application may be withdrawn.

(iv) Upon receipt of the said application, a Member Club is responsible for full payment and this will pertain if an applicant cancels or fails to attend.

B. Selkent Courses: - Assistant Referee Workshop Mini-Soccer Referee Workshop and In-Service Team Manager Workshop: -

Line-person Workshop

(i) It is a requirement of this League that all 9 & 11 A Side teams has at least one team member that has attended the League Assistant Referee Workshop.

(ii) Each course applicant must provide 2 Passport style photos on attendance.

On conclusion of the course the applicant will be issued with a League identity badge. This must be worn for identification purposes at all Selkent cast fixtures but removed before the game commences due to health and safety.

Mini-Soccer Referee Workshop

(iii) It is a requirement of this League that all league registered Mini-Soccer teams has at least one team member that has attended the League Mini-Soccer Referee Workshop.

(iv) Each course applicant must provide 2 Passport style photos on attendance.

(v) On conclusion of the course the applicant will be issued with a League identity badge. This must be worn for identification purposes at all Selkent cast fixtures but removed before the game commences due to health and safety.

Team Mangers Workshop

(vi) It is a requirement that all Team Managers will be issued with a league identity badge which once issued must be worn at all Selkent League cast fixtures.

(vii) It is a condition of this League that all Team Managers must attend the “In-Service Team Managers Course” within 6 months of being named by a Member Club as a Team Manager.

(viii) Failure to attend the course within the specified time may see the said Manager suspended as a SelKent Team Manager until such time they have attended the course

(ix) It is the responsibility of each individual Team Manager to provide 2 Passport style photos when attending the In-Service Team Managers course. Managers will be presented with their identity badge at the League Meeting following the Course they attended.

(x) If an applicant fails to attend the course or cancels at short notice the club concerned will be charged a £20.00 administration cost.

27. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must also abide by any issued Football Association and Selkent League Code of Conduct.

FEES TARIFF

RULE NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	MAXIMUM FEE
3 (a)	Entry fee	£50.00
3 (b)	Annual subscription	£150.00
3 (c)	Deposit	£100.00
8 (d)	Registration form	£10.00 (per player)
8 (h)	Transfer form	£10.00
13 (e)	Referee fees	As agreed with sanctioning authority
13 (e)	Assistant referee fees	As agreed with sanctioning authority
15 (c),16	Protest/appeal fees	£25.00

FINES TARIFF

RULE NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	MAXIMUM FINE
2 (b)	Failure to affiliate	£100.00
2 (d)	Failure to comply with fa initiatives	£100.00
2 (e)	Unauthorised entry of teams into competitions	£100.00
3 (c)	Failure to pay a deposit	£100.00
3 (e)	Failure to provide affiliation number/details form	£100.00
4 (E)	Communications conducted by persons other than	£25.00
	nominated officers
5 (H)	Failure to comply with an instruction of the	£100.00
	management committee
5 (I)	Failure to pay a fine within 14 days of notice	Double the original fine up to £100.00
6 (H)	Failure to be represented at AGM	£100.00
7	Failure to submit the required written agreement or	£25.00
	to notify changes to signatories
8 (A)	Failure to correctly register a player	£40.00
8 (B)(iii)	Failure to have the required number of registered	£25.00
	players prior to the season commencing
8 (F)	Signing or playing for multiple clubs, or inaccurate	£25.00
	completion of a registration form
8 (G) (ii)	Registration irregularities	£100.00
8(M)(i)	Playing an ineligible player	£100.00
8 (N)(i)	Failure to give priority to school activities	£50.00
9 (A),10 (A)	Delaying kick off/no nets/ no corner flags	£30.00
9(A)	Failure to number shirts	£10.00 (per shirt, up to an aggregate
		maximum of £30)
9 (B)	Failure to obtain consent for a change of club name	£30.00
10 (B)	Failure to play matches on the date fixed	£100.00
10 (C)	Failure to provide details of a fixture	£50.00
10 (D)	Failure to have minimum number of players that	£100.00
	will constitute a team
10E (i) & (iii)	Failure to play fixture	£100.00
10 (H)	No captain’s armband	£10.00
11(A) & (C)	Late team sheet	£20.00
11 (B)	Failure to provide result	£20.00
11(D)	Failure to comply with rule	£50.00
11(E)	Failure to comply with rule	£20.00
13 (C)	Failure to provide club assistant referee	£25.00
13 (E)	Failure to pay match officials’ fees and expenses	£25.00
13 (F)	Failure to pay match officials where a match is not	£25.00
	played
13 (H)	Failure to provide referee’s mark	£25.00
14 (A)	Failure to comply with rule	£100.00
14 (B)	Failure to commence or complete fixtures	£100.00
18 (A)	Failure to submit the required written agreement	£25.00
	regarding the trophy
19	Failure to be represented at a special general	£100.00
	meeting
22 (A)	Failure to have the required insurance	£100.00
22 (B)	Failure to have the required insurance	£100.00