CUP COMPETITION RULES
QUEEN MARY CUP, RON POPE CUP AND ELIZABETH JAQUES CUP
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.
“BSLFL” Means BROMLEY & SOUTH LONDON FOOTBALL LEAGUE
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one Team in a division in accordance with the Rules.
“Competition” means BROMLEY & SOUTH LONDON FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP COMPETITIONS, AND THE GREENWICH MATERNITY UNIT FOOTBALL CHARITY COMPETITION
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration 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.
“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.
“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.
“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 / Kent County Football Associations Limited.
“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.
“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.
(B) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (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 BROMLEY & SOUTH LONDON FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP COMPETITIONS, AND THE GREENWICH MATERNITY UNIT FOOTBALL CHARITY COMPETITION
(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.
NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
2. (A) This Competition shall consist of not more than 60 Clubs approved by the Sanctioning Authority.
(B) All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the London / Kent County Football Association and must have a constitution approved by the Sanctioning Authority.
The area covered by the Competition Membership Shall be ?? Miles From ??
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the London & Kent County Football Association(s)
The Competition shall be conducted on knockout Cup tie principle and to be confined to clubs in membership of the BROMLEY & SOUTH LONDON FOOTBALL LEAGUE Entry criteria into each cup as follows
Queen Mary Cup – All teams will be entered , if a club have more than one side in the league, only the senior side of each club will be allowed to enter. Ron Pope Cup – Open to all teams in the Premier and division one
Elizabeth Jaques Cup – Open to all sides from Division 2 and below
(C) Only one team shall be permitted from any Club to participate in the same division as another team from the same Club unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. The Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority in the event of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than via transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules.
(D) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination
(i) The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination
(ii) Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.
(E) 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.
(F) Does Not Apply
(G) Does Not Apply
ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT
3. (A) Does Not Apply
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £50 per team payable on or before the 1st August in each year. This money includes entrance to the League competition only, One Handbooks and 30 Player Registered
(C) Does Not Apply
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit (if required) have been paid.
(E) Does Not Apply
MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION
4. (A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and 4 ordinary members who shall all be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
(B) Does Not Apply
(C) The Management Committee shall meet monthly August to May detailed in the league handbook to deal with business as it arises. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.
(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. Club not replying to correspondence of an official nature within 14 days shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and fined in accordance with the fines tariff.
(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.
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 Football Association or affiliated Association.
(B) Does Not Apply
(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.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules 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), 10(A) and 19, for all breaches of Rule a formal written charge must be issued to the Club concerned The Club charged shall be given seven days from the date of notification of the charge to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:-
(i) Accept or deny the charge
(ii) Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or
(iii) Put their case before the Management Committee at a personal hearing
All breaches of the Laws of the Game, or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.
Any fines levied shall be in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.
(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 ten days.
(F) More than fifty percent (50%) of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee and 3 members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the competition 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.
(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 or shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the management committee.
(I) All fines and charges are payable forthwith and must be paid within 21 days of the date 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 fine within 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.
(M) No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined
(N) A Club must be represented at all Council and/or a Special meetings. For failure to attend a fine may be imposed. £15.00 / £25.00 or dealt with as the management committee may decide.
(O) Every club shall provide at least two Email Addresses and Phone Numbers for contacts of which One must be the Club Secretary.
(P) No Member Club Shall be financially indebted to another member club (for debts occurring from competition matches only). Club failing to meet its financial obligations to another club or the Competition will be dealt with by the management Committee and may be fined and in addition, Suspended from playing (see Rule 10(i)) until said debt is paid.
The League Secretary and defaulting Club shall be advised of any claims of debts along with supporting any evidence within 14 days of the claim arising failure to comply will deemed the claim invalid.
(Q) Any Disputes between Clubs in the competition shall be refereed for determination by the management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to rule 16
(R) Any Club Payments Failing to clear the banking system will be charged an administration fee of not less than £5
The League Bank Details are as follows
Clubs must Advise the Competition Treasurer in writing of any Payments made by the BACs System for him to reconcile any payments against the clubs statement of accounts. Failure to do so may result in a fine being levied
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 20/25 Members are present and entitled to vote:-
(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To Consider any Business arising therefrom
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) Exclusion of Clubs
(v) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies. (as recommended by the management Committee)
(vi) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
(vii) Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(viii) Appointment of Auditors.
(ix) Alteration of Rules, if any. (of which notice has been given)
(x) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.
(xi) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed change of Rules.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to Sanctioning Authority within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the 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 Annual General Meeting. Failure to comply without a satisfactory reason being given will result in a fine of £50 being levied
(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
7. Does Not Apply
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
8. (A) (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) Does not apply
(B) (i) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has signed manually or electronically, and correctly completed the Competition registration process, as set out in appendix A the registration process.
(ii) A Player Shall not play for more than one club in any given cup in the same season
(iii) No player shall be eligible to play In Semi-final and final ties unless he has competed in at least 4 Bromley and South London football league matches for the competing team (earlier rounds count as BASLFL matches during the current Season). With the exception of Goal keeper where in exceptional circumstances they maybe considered under an emergency situation if club apply in writing to the management committee at least 5 day prior to the match, No other playing position will be considered whatsoever.
(C) A team shall not include /more than 2 players who has/have taken part in 8 or more senior competition matches during the current season unless a period of 30 days has elapsed since they played.
For the purpose of this Competition a senior competition(s) Is one in the Football Pyramid above and including the Premier division of the Kent County Football League .
(D) A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) to any Club(s) shall be permitted to register and play for a Club in the Competition, save that the Player may be liable to be suspended from playing for that Club should the Player fail to comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.
(E) Does Not Apply
(F) Does Not Apply
(G) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:-
(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred.
(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer.
(iii) submit a registration through WGS for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
.
(H) (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 or may fine any player, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16).
(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered or intending to be registered with.
(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 not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association. 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 a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence for any team playing in this Competition.)
(I) Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(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 three days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within three days, the Competition 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 3 days after receipt of such transfer. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.
(J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31st March 2017 except by special permission of the Management Committee.
(K) 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.
(L) 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 Season only.
In the event of a player without a written contract 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 player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 8(A)(i).
(M) Does Not Apply
(N) Any Player who has played 8 or more matches for a team in the Premier or division one or will not be permitted to play in the Elizabeth Jaques Cup unless sanction has been obtained from Cup Competition Committee who will be empowered to make a decision. Applications for a player TO play in a match must be submitted in writing a least 5 clear days in advance of the match or will not be considered.
(O)Any Club found to have played an ineligible Player or Players in a match or matches, will be struck out of the competition and the tie awarded to their opponents and fined a maximum of £25
(P)(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):-
(i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.
(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues).
(iii) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.
(Q) Emergency matchday Registration may take place in Round 1 and 2 and countersigned by an officer of the opposing club and must be submitted to registration secretary within 3 days of the match.
(R) In Semi Final and The Final ties, 30 minuets prior to kick off, an officer of the league will obtain the Names, Dates of Birth and Signatures of all players that are taking part in the match on a prescribed form. Clubs are solely responsible for the eligibility of any players that sign the form and only player that sign will be permitted to play in the match.
CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME
9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31st July who shall decide as to their suitability.
Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all 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 colour of the goalkeepers jersey) at least five days before the match.
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change.
A club delaying the scheduled time of kick off for a completion match by not having a change of colours. . Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fine as per fine tariff. All Shirts must be numbered
(B) Does not Apply
(C) Teams Drawn first in a tie are deemed the home team in all cup matches and will have first choice of colours the away team will change should colours clash
PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES
10. (A) The Management Committee shall make draws for the various rounds of all cup competitions and shall fix the dates, times of kick off and grounds upon which the tie shall be played. In the interest of the competition a team maybe ordered to play a tie at their opponents ground even if they are drawn at home, any club failing to appear on that date will be fined the sum of £25 and the tie awarded to non-offending club
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All 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 facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
Football Turf pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches. For clubs playing at Step 7 and below a pitch must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three 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(D).
Within the National League System (“NLS”) all matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes. All matches outside of the NLS shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) 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. Extra Time Shall be played in all ties if necessary and as long as conditions allow. If scores are still equal after extra time then penalties will be taken as per football association rule until a winner is reached. All matches will be decided on the day
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 Competition at least 7 days prior.
Agreed Kick off times for league matches
September to October (End of BST)
2.30pm
October (End of BST) to March (Start of BST)
2.00pm
March (Start of BST) to End of Season
2.30pm
Cup Matches Kick off 30 minuets earlier
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine
The home team must provide goal nets and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable, In Addition each team shall be expected to supply a First Aid Kit at every match played. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association 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.
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).
(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 5 (five) 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 will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
(E) A minimum of 7 seven players will constitute a team for a Competition match. Any club playing with less than 11 players may be fined £5 for each missing player.
(F) (i) Does Not Apply
(ii) Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence: - First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff. Or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.
(iii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a fixture has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice (by personal service or phone not email or text) to the (Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials, then your own players (in that order). Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee or will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
(iv) 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 28 days the Management Committee shall have 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.
Providing gate money is taken and retained the visiting Club shall receive their actual standard class rail or bus fares or the equivalent for 11 persons, or car allowance at 50p per mile for transporting 4 persons, or hire charge of a coach (receipt to be submitted). The residue (if any) to be equally divided between the two Clubs after deducting the cost of advertising, printing, posting, police and match officials charges. The home Club shall take the whole of the proceeds of the second match.
(v) 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. 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. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.
(vi) 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 Association 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(O) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 (five) substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 (five) players.
Except for matches played at Step 7 of the National League System a player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 15 minutes before the start of the match and a Player not so named may not take part in that 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.
(H) The half time interval shall be of 10 (Ten) minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
(I) The Clubs taking part in fixture Competition Match shall identify a team captain who has a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her team mates.
(J) Does not Apply
(K) Each Club Participating in this competition will be expected to make league fixtures it priority with exception of any relevant County Cup Competition it may enter. Or dealt with in accordance with the provision of rule 10(F).
(L) Does not Apply.
(M) The Management committee may award proven expenses to a club that have be incurred due to the late or non-arrival of an opposing club. For which the opposing club will be liable.
(O) Every Team that reaches the final tie must comply with the requests set out in Appendix B Cup Final Protocol
Failure to comply will result in a fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine
REPORTING RESULTS
11. (A) The Registration Secretary must receive within two days (excluding Sundays) of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. The prescribed manner being through the FA Fulltime web site. Clubs in default will be fined. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) taking part in the match and their shirt numbers, including the substitutes(s); the score, goal scorers and details of the section of the Competition and the actual kick-off time. In addition, respect marks and the name of the Referee and the marks for the Referee shall also be provided . Failure to do so will incur a fine for each additional offence and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.
(B) Both teams shall text the result of each match to Full Time by 5pm on the Saturday after the match. For midweek games, results shall be communicated by 10pm on the day of the match. Every Team should follow instructions set out within the Full Time SMS. Every Club must provide a minimum of 2 contacts for the Full Time SMS system. Teams failing to do so shall be fined a minimum of £5.
In the event of a failure of the Full Time system, all results must be sent direct to the Results Secretary via SMS.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. Failure to submit fully completed form or which includes incorrect information will result in a fine and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee Missing information will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
(D) Failure to Complete the online match result notification 10 days, after fine has been levied will result in a further fine in accordance with the fine Tariff. And the team called before management committee which may result in the club being struck out of the competition.
(E) The Management Committee reserve the right throughout the season to obtain Names, dates of birth and Signatures at any League or Cup match under the jurisdiction of this competition without prior warning. Failure to provide this information will result in a fine of £15 and awarding of match to the non-offending club.
DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
12. Does Not Apply
REFEREES
13. (A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, 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.
(C) Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable appoint assistant referees if available to any match
(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 subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.
(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the sanctioning Association, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee of £35 inclusive of travel expenses. & £20.00 for an Assistant Referee. All Costs in Cup matches are to be shared by both teams. The AWAY Club shall pay the Officials their fees before the match. Failure to comply will result in a minimum fine of £5. The Maximum share an away team shall pay to the home team for pitch costs is £60.
(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 £5 expenses only. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee.
(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 Football Association, 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 or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.
(I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association.
(J) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off , if linesman are present and a sportsmanship mark of both sides to the (Registration) Secretary within two days of the match.
(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the FA/County FA or the League.
(M) Should a Referee be marked at 60 points or less, the club awarding the mark must submit to the referee secretary in writing a report which substantiates its actions in recording the low mark.
CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
14. (A) Does Not Apply
(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
(C) 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.
(ii) 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 (which must contain full of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged with the Secretary within 7 (Seven) 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 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 enquiry 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 Seven days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then the Club should indicate such when forwarding the written response. And forward deposit in accordance with the Fees Tariff
PROTESTS, APPEALS
16. (A)All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules and appeals arising from a Player’s contract shall be heard and determined by the Management Committee, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee. The Clubs or Players protesting, appealing, claiming or complaining must send a copy of such protest, appeal, claim or complaint and deposit a fee which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and the party failing may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.
(B) All such protests claim complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within fourteen days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.
(C) The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.
(D) Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the sanctioning authority within fourteen (14) days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee 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.
(E) If so requested the Management Committee may arbitrate on any disputes, protests, appeals, claims or complaints between two Clubs (resulting from competition matches only) in which event both Clubs shall send a non-returnable fee. Such arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties to the arbitration. The Competition will not be liable for any financial losses in disputes between clubs.
(F) No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual General Meeting 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 Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from 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. A Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting, 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 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 official 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 Clause (A) of this Rule.
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, 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 February. 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 fine Tariff.
(B) At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.
(C) No Trophy can be won outright by any club
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 seven days’ notice shall be given of either 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, as will members of the Management Committee.
Any continuing Member Club must be represented at a Special General Meeting.
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the fine Tariff.
ALTERATION TO RULES
20. Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting 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 these Rules 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 31st March in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 30th April and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 14th 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.
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 £500 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 30th May.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited/verified annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
INSURANCE
22. All Clubs must have valid public liability insurance cover of at least 10 million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.
All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ personal accident 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 sanctioning Association. In instances where The Football Association is the sanctioning Association, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover
required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.
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.
(C) The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:
(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 Authority may decide.
FEES TARIFF
RULE NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
MAXIMUM FEE
3 (A)
ENTRY FEE
£40
3 (B)
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
£50
3 (C)
DEPOSIT
£100
8 (I) TRANSFER £2.50
13 (E) REFEREE FEES £35.00
13 (E) ASSISTANT REFEREE FEES £20.00
13 (E) REFEREE FEES-Double Header £45.00
15 (C),16(A),16(G) PROTEST/APPEAL FEES £5.00
FINES TARIFF
RULE NUMBER DESCRIPTION MAXIMUM FINE
2 (B) FAILURE TO AFFILIATE £10.00
2 (E) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FA INITIATIVES Up to £250.00
2 (F) UNAUTHORISED ENTRY OF TEAMS INTO COMPETITIONS Up to £50.00
3 (C) FAILURE TO PAY A DEPOSIT Up to £50.00
3 (E) FAILURE TO PROVIDE AFFILIATION NUMBER / DETAILS FORM £25.00
4 (D) (E) COMMUNICATIONS CONDUCTED BY PERSONS OTHER THAN NOMINATED OFFICERS £10.00
5 (H) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN INSTRUCTION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE £10.00
5 (I) FAILURE TO PAY A FINE WITHIN 28 DAYS OF NOTICE £50.00
5 (N) FAILURE TO ATTEND COUNCIL OR SPECIAL MEETING £25.00
6 (H) FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT AGM £50.00
7 FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR TO NOTIFY CHANGES TO SIGNATORIES £10.00
8 (A) (ii) FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF REGISTERED PLAYERS PRIOR TO THE SEASON COMMENCING £5 Per player up to a Maximum of £30
8 (B) FAILURE TO CORRECTLY REGISTER A PLAYER £25.00
8 (C) FIELDING MORE THAN THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SENIOR COMPETITIONS MATCHES £10.00 each
8 (G) SIGNING OR PLAYING FOR MULTIPLE CLUBS, OR INACCURATE COMPLETION OF A REGISTRATION FORM £25.00
8 (H) (ii) REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES £10.00
8 (O) PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER £10.00
8 (P) FAILURE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES £10.00
9 (A),10 (B) DELAYING KICK OFF/NO NETS/ NO CORNER FLAGS £10.00 per offence
9 (B) FAILURE TO OBTAIN CONSENT FOR A CHANGE OF CLUB NAME £10.00
10 (C) FAILURE TO PLAY MATCHES ON THE DATE FIXED Up to £50 + Costs
10 (D) FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF A FIXTURE £10.00 per offence
10 (E) PLAYING MATCH WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED NUMBER OF PLAYERS £5 per player
10 (F) (i) & (iii) FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE Up to £50.00
10 (I) NO CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND £5.00
10 (N) FAILURE TO SUBMIT TEAM SHEET TO REFEREE / OPPONETS £10.00
10(O) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CUP FINAL PROTOCOL (APPENDIX B) Up to £50
11 (A) FAILURE TO SUBMIT RESULT SHEET VIA FULL TIME £10.00 each
11 (B) FAILURE TO PROVIDE SMS RESULT TO FULL TIME or RESULTS SEC £5.00
11 (C) MISSING INFORMATION FROM RESULT SHEET i.e. PLAYER NAME, REFEREE MARK, FT SCORE, GOAL SCORERS £5.00 each Offence
11 (D) NO RESULT CARD AFTER A FURTHER 14 DAYS £25.00
11 (E) FAILURE TO PROVIDE SIGNATURES FOR CHECK BY MANAGEMENT COM £15.00
13 (C) FAILURE TO PROVIDE CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREE £5.00
13 (E) FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND EXPENSES £10.00
13 (F) FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS WHERE A MATCH IS NOT PLAYED £10.00
13 (H) FAILURE TO PROVIDE REFEREE’S MARK £5.00
14 (A) WITHDRAWAL FROM LEAGUE AFTER 31ST MARCH
NOT COMFIRMING CONTINUATIONS BY 30 APRIL £25.00
14 (B) FAILURE TO START/COMPLETE FIXTURES Up to £100.00
18 (A) FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TROPHY / LATE RETURN OF TROPHY BY 1st FEBRUARY £15 per Trophy
22 FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE £50.00