Useful Forms

Download an FA brochure on rules regarding Child Welfare Officer here

The league rules for 2009-2010 are available below - please copy and paste as required. You can use your browser FIND facilitiy to find specific words in the rules on this page.

IMPORTANT:

Please specifically note the new rule which was agreed at the AGM and approved by the CCFA for this season relating to how the league will record scores for mini-soccer matches. It reads: 10(D) In the event of any mini-soccer match being played where the scoreline at any time during the match means that one team is nine goals ahead of the other team this is the score which will be recorded for league purposes. Clubs will be encouraged, if a match reaches this point, to consider playing the rest of the period of play in as sporting a fashion as possible to the overall benefit of the young people concerned.

KERNOW YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION - SEASON 2009 – 2010

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

1. (A) This League shall be known as the Kernow Youth Football League and shall consist of not more than 44 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs and not more than 10 Club who shall be Associate Member Clubs.

All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form ’D’ to the Cornwall County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be The County of Cornwall only.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Cornwall Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions which may not exceed 10 teams, unless Member Clubs in any specific age group (present at a league meeting) vote in favour of raising this number to a maximum of 12.

The competition will provide 11-a-side football and mini-soccer as required by the Full Member Clubs and as agreed by the management committee within the constraints laid down by the rules of the Football Association.

At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the clubs present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion.

Clubs not previously having been registered with the league in the previous season may only be entered into the league if a representative of the club is present at the Annual General Meeting to support the application

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

2.(A) Applications by Clubs and teams for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in the prescribed manner agreed by The Management Committee . Fees must be paid within the terms prescribed and will be returned in the event of non-entry into the league.

At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or a Special General Meeting. The entry fee shall apply.

Notification of the details of all clubs proposing to take part in the competition must be submitted at the AGM.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £30.00 per team playing 11 a side football and £20 per team playing Mini soccer, payable on or before the 31st July in each year.

(C) Each club shall, upon election, deposit of £10 for every team, which shall be returnable to clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Annual Subscription fee, and Deposit have been paid.

(E) Clubs must advise annually to the League Secretary in writing by 1st August of its Cornwall County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming season, failing which they may be fined £10.00. Clubs must advise the Secretary, in the prescribed way, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition by 1st August for the forthcoming season.

(F) Where a club has more than one youth team in the competition, a single Club Secretary must be appointed who has overall responsibility within the club for it’s Youth Football.

(G) Entry to the league for each team is on condition that : (1) players for 11 a side football and 7 players for mini football are registered with The League 14 days prior to the first game. (2) All adults in positions of authority within any league club or anyone who has supervision of persons under 18 years old will have received approval from the Football Association to be involved with youth football having completed a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. All clubs are required to have a named Club Welfare Officer who meets the requirements of the FA. It is the responsibility of each league club to ensure that this requirement is met. (H) A maximum of 2 teams for each age group from any single club will be permitted unless agreed by the Management Committee.

OFFICERS

3. The Officers of the League shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registrations Secretary, Fixtures Secretaries (as determined by the league), Results Secretaries (as determined by the league), Training Officer, Referee’s Secretary, and up to 6 general committee members to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprising of the Officers and 6 general committee members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. 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 the 1st June prior to the Annual General Meeting. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting

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.

(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint such other sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of all such 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) Subject to the permission of the Cornwall County Football Association 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. (See Rule 6(e)).

(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. (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 the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the Imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules by the appropriate Association.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 days.

(F) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and 3 members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.

(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 having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalized at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

(J) 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.

(K) In the event of a Member Club which is an un-incorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all it's financial and other obligations to the Competition.

In the event that any such obligations remains un-discharged after a period of twenty one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member's pro-rata obligation is discharged in full the Members shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club's Parent County Association for a suspension order.

(L) A club or team notified of disciplinary action being taken against them will have 14 days to lodge an appeal with the C.C.F.A. upon payment of £25.00.

A board of appeal made up of 3 members shall be appointed by the C.C.F.A. The decision of the board shall be binding and final. In the event of the appeal being unsuccessful the fee will be forfeited or returned in whole or part at the discretion of the board of appeal. The board of appeal has the authority to decide upon who will bear the costs of the appeal.

(M) A representative of every club wishing to join the league in the coming season must be present at the Annual General Meeting.

(N) A representative of every club must be present at every league meetings.

Any club which is not represented at a league meeting will incur a £10.00 fine. A club consistently failing to have a representative present at league meetings will be dealt with in a manner decided appropriate by the management committee.

(O) In the event of the League deciding to organise Mini Soccer for teams playing U7 and U8 football they will not, with the exception of Rules 6, 11c, 14 and 19 fine clubs for breaches of League Rules.

(P) Any dispute between clubs will be decided by the League Management Committee. Any member having a vested interest in any decision of the committee will not be allowed to vote.

(Q) The league shall give to all clubs at the start of the season a list of all forthcoming meetings.

(R) The management committee may appoint a sub committee for the organization of any special event and may delegate any of their powers to it. The sub-committee is responsible to the full management committee.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 20th July in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 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 there from. (iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts. (iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee). (v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season. (vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee. (vii) Appointment of Auditors. (viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given). (ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season. (x) 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 Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Cornwall County Football Association.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts to the Cornwall County Football Association (s) within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 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.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 5 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 Full Member.

(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10.00.

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

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7. The Secretary of each club will accept in the prescribed manner the following agreement.

DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF LEAGUE CONSTITUTION.

I accept that I have been provided with or have access too a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Kernow Youth League and do 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.

Any alteration of the Club Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Cornwall County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Kernow League.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS AND TEAMS

8.(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition. No player registered with a F.A Premier League or Football League Academy will be permitted to play in this competition. Where a club has a player/s registered with a Centre of Excellence it is the responsibility of that club to ensure all players adhere to the rules of that Centre. Details are available on the website: www.thefa.com.

(B) A registered youth playing member of a team is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has been accepted by the League Registration Secretary having first received in the prescribed manner a fully completed player registration form. A player not registered with the league in the preceding season will only be registered on receipt by the Registration Secretary of a birth certificate or other means of proof of age acceptable to the Secretary.

A fee of £2.00 for each player must be received by the Registration Secretary before registration is approved.

The registering club must keep a record of any known medical conditions of the player and 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, Team or Competition.

The qualification dates for the competition shall be as follows: Mini-Soccer Under 7 – the player must have attained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 8 – the player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 9 - the player must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 10 - the player must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

Youth Football Under 11 - the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 11 by midnight 31st August in the playing season. Under 12 - the player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 13 - the player must be under the age of 13 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 14 - the player must be under the age of 14 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 15 - the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 16 - the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 17 - the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season. Under 18 - the player must be under the age of 18 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.

(The above qualification dates are subject to the provisions contained in FA Rule C.4 (a)(vi)).

(C) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for another Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.

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

(E) It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to:- (i) Play for more than one team in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred. (ii) Having registered for one team in the Competition, sign for another team in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer. (iii) Submit a registration form that the club has neglected to accurately or fully complete. When registering, players must state which team within that club they will play for. Players are only allowed to play for the team for which they are registered even if other teams are within the same club. Playing for another team within the same club, without a transfer, shall be deemed as misconduct.

8.(G) (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player. (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except those under 18 years of age, 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 conduct, 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 with.

(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.) 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.)

(H) It is the responsibility of the club to ensure the accuracy of the players registration form.

(I) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the team the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registrations Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. Such transfer shall be referred by the Secretary 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 Registrations Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer notification. Upon receipt of the Club's consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new team.

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 team after 1st March except by special permission of the Management Committee. A player may not be transferred to another team within the league after 1st March except with 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 team, 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. 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. In order to play in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule.

(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match, semi finals or finals of any cup or shield match unless the player has played 3 league games for that team or was registered to play for that team 1 month prior to the game.

(N)(i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player(s) may have the points gained in the match deducted from it’s total and may be fined £10.00 per player and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition the team may have points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.

(iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed. (Note: For players under the age of 18 years old the provisions contained in the Football Association Rules will apply.)

(O) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations Activities. The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teacher (except for Sunday Competitions)

(P) No team may register more than: 22 players for 11 a side teams. 14 players for mini-soccer (except in the case of teams playing in the final year of mini-soccer (currently under 11s), where up to 16 players may be registered to enable a more effective transition into youth soccer in the subsequent season.

(Q) A team may de- registister a player in the prescribed manner laid down by the Management Committee. No player may re-register for the same team within 28 days.

(R) Having played in a cup or shield match that player will be considered to have been cup tied for that season in both the cup and the shield.

(S) In the event that more than 15 teams are accepted into a specific age group then the league will be split into two divisions. (Refer to rule 1)

(T) Teams will only be accepted to the league if they have adequate changing facilities and pitches.

(U) Clubs will ensure that each team has at least one coach trained to a minimum standard of Level One Certificate in Football Coaching. In the event of a new unqualified coach taking over a team then that coach has 6 months to gain this qualification.

Clubs are responsible in ensuring that any change in team officials given on the team registration form is reported to the Management Committee in the prescribed manner

CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME

9. (A) Every club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the League Secretary by the Fixtures Meeting who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from other players and the referee. 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 the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 5 days before the match. If, in the opinion of the referee, two teams have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £10.00. The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.

(B) Any club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Football Association and from the Management Committee.

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY

TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10 (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the Fixtures Secretary within 14 days of their issue. The League will provide a League Championship and Cup Competition for all age. In 11-a-side leagues a Shield competition may also be provided.

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, the Laws of Mini-Soccer as set down by The Football Association. 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. All pitches must have a designated spectator area at least 2 meters from the pitch for spectators and other team members.

(C) (i) All matches shall have duration as set out below unless a shorter time (not less than 15 minutes) is mutually agreed between the officials of both clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the match and in any event shall be two periods of equal duration.

For Mini-Soccer - The duration of play shall be as follows: For under 7 and under 8 age groups 15 minutes each way. Under 9 and under 10,age groups - 20 minutes each way Under 11 and under 12 age groups - 25 minutes each way. Where the League does not run a league programme for an age group these durations are for guidance only.

(D) In the event of any mini-soccer match being played where the scoreline at any time during the match means that one team is nine goals ahead of the other team this is the score which will be recorded for league purposes. Clubs will be encouraged, if a match reaches this point, to consider playing the rest of the period of play in as sporting a fashion as possible to the overall benefit of the young people concerned.

Extra time of 5 minutes each way will be played, in the event of a draw, in all knock-out competitions. Except in a Final, if the scores are still level after that time a replay will be arranged. If the teams are still level after this period in a final then both teams will share the trophy as equal winners.

For Boys Youth football - The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time. Under 11 - 30 minutes each way Under 12 - 30 minutes each way Under 13, 14 - 35 minutes each half Under 15 and under 16 - 40 minutes each half; Under 17 and under 18 - 45 minutes each half. For under 17 and under 18 matches which may involve extra-time being required the playing time each half must be reduced to 40 minutes.

For Girls Youth Football - The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time

Under 12 -25 minutes each way

Under 14 – 30 minutes each way

Extra time in the event of a draw in knockout competitions will be 10 minutes each way.

In knock out competition, if the scores are still level at the end of normal time extra time will be play of a maximum of 10 minutes each way. If there is still no winner then penalties will decide the outcome of the match.

All cup matches up to the final will be played at the home of the team first drawn. If refereeing costs are incurred these will be divided amongst both participating clubs. Referees for all semi-finals will be selected by the League.

No player under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in any season shall be permitted to play one game or more than 100 minutes per day in this Competition.

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

The home team must provide at least two footballs fit to play and the referee shall report to the Management Committee if the footballs are unsuitable.

Size of football used shall be: Under 7 & 8 size 3. Under 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14’s size 4. All other ages size 5. Goals nets must be used on every occasion.

(E) All matches must be played on the dates scheduled by the league but priority will be given to The Football Association and all Relevant County Association Cup competitions. Cup and Shield matches will take priority over league matches. Only the Fixtures Secretary responsible for the league in question may approve changes to the scheduled fixtures. This includes any changes to the scheduled fixtures for whatever reason. Any changes to a fixture made without the prior approval of the fixtures secretary will be regarded as an ‘unauthorised postponement’ and both clubs will be liable to a summary penalty of ten pounds.

When a match has been postponed for watch ever reason both teams must submit a fully completed postponement form in the prescribed manner.

In the event of a team causing any matches to be postponed on three or more occasions during the season the League Committee will have the power to deal with that team in any manner considered suitable.

F) For matches other than those played on neutral grounds the times of kick-off must be fixed by the home team. It is the responsibility of an official of the home team to contact the away team manager 5 days before the match and inform him/her of: 1) kick off time 2) Venue 3) Name of referee and whether referee is officially qualified. 4) Any arrangements that may have an effect on the match being played.

Any home team failing to notify the opposition of match details within the required time will be fined £10.00.

G) Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time without good cause may be fined £ 10.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

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

(H) In the League Competition home and away matches shall be played. Where a team fails to fulfil a scheduled fixture, in addition to any penalty imposed through rule 10(c) the Management Committee shall have the power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting club, award points to another club, order the defaulting club to pay any expenses incurred by the opposing team or otherwise deal with them except by the award of goals. Not withstanding 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.

The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either team, 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 opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, 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.

(I) A team may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitutes as shown below:

For Mini-Soccer - any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the Referee. 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.

For Youth Football - for teams in the under 16 age group and below, a player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another 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 5 minutes before the start of 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.

(J) The half time interval shall be of 10 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(K) Teams Identity Sheets must be taken to all matches and, prior to the match, inspected by the opposing manager, referee, or person authorised by the committee. Only players shown on the team identity sheets will be allowed to play. In the event of their being special reasons why a player is missing from the Team Identity sheet authority to play the player can only be given by the registration secretary or league secretary.

Any team not producing their Team I.D Sheets at any Competition match will be fined £25.00.

(L) Any team trying to play any player who has not been registered for that team, or falsify a result sheet will be fined £25.00 and dealt with by the management committee as they think fit. Deliberate attempts to cheat and gain advantage may result in expulsion from the competition, deduction of points or other sanctions as agreed by the Management Committee (subject to right of appeal).

(N) All teams must have present at all matches a fully equipped first aid kit and an adult suitably trained in emergency 1st aid.

(O) Teams will not be allowed to complete in any cup or shield final until their entire league programme is completed unless it is considered by the management committee that the failure to fulfill all fixtures was not fault of the team concerned. .

(P) Girls teams must always have an adult female present.

REPORTING RESULTS

11. (A) The results ,players and scorers names for each match played must be notified to the results secretary by the means determined by the committee and notified to the clubs. This will be agreed upon at the pre-season meeting prior to the start of the season.

(B) The Results Secretary for the appropriate age group must receive within 48 hours of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10.00 for every late, inaccurate or incomplete result sheet. Where a team consistently fails to adhere to this rule then fines may be increased to £20.00 per incidence.

(C) The League will not permitted the collection of result sheets or compilation of any playing data for fixtures they organise for U7 and U8 Mini Soccer. The League Management Committee may require a Club to confirm that a set fixture has been played. A maximum fine of £5 may be imposed for a breach of this rule.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

12. (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 points to be awarded for a win and 1 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.

For 11 a side football, in the event of two or more teams being equal on points: Results against each other during that season will be taken into account . In the event there is still no overall winner a final deciding match under conditions determined by the Management Committee will decide team rankings.

For deciding matches, in the event of the score being level at the end of normal time extra time will be played. Refer to rule 10 (b) for durations.

For Mini Soccer: If teams are on level points at the end of the season the Championship will be shared between those clubs and no runners-up trophy awarded.

REFEREES

13. (A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

(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, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. The referee shall be appointed in the first case by the home team. If no qualified referee is available an unqualified referee may be used providing he/she has a sound understanding of the rules. This referee will have the full status and authority of a registered referee.

Complaints may only be made to the appropriate association regarding qualified referees.

If the home team is unable to supply a qualified referee then the away team have the right to supply their own qualified referee or request the league to supply one. In this case referees fees will be paid by the requesting club.

(C) Where a landlord has not declared the pitch unfit to play the appointed Referee’s decision as to whether it is fit for play is final and binding.

(D) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 20 p per mile and any other permitted expenses actually incurred together with the following match fees:- Referee £6.00. Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £6.00, subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s).

The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses immediately after the match.

(E) 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 Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

(F) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may be reported to the County Football Association with which he is registered.

14 CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF CLUBS

A) After 31st December in the current season a Club intending to withdraw a team from the competition on completion of it’s fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the League Secretary in writing by 31st March each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £5.00.

B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the competition after the arrangement of fixtures for the following season. Any Club infringing this Rules shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £20.00 and shall also be liable to it’s share of any call which may be made under Rule 5 (B).

C) All points gained against any withdrawn team, prior to the completion of the season, will be deducted from every team within that league.

D) In the event of a Member Club which is an un-incorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the League.

E) It is the responsibility of all teams withdrawing from the league to return all Team Identity Sheets within 7 days so that they may reregister for another team.

PROTESTS AND APPEALS

15. (A) 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. Any team lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within 14 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) Any dispute occurring between Clubs or teams in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

(D) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received 7 days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club / team of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.

BOARD OF APPEAL

16 Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition a Club, Team, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the County Football Association, including a fee of £25.00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.

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 Annual General Meeting, 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 at least two-thirds of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(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 or team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by at least two-thirds (2/3rds) 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 misconduct, (other than field offences), or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another team 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 team shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.

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

18 (A) A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition were discontinued for any cause the Cup or Trophy shall be returned to the Donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide. At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of any perpetual trophies under the ownership of The League.

Name of trophy..........................

Season................................

Team....................... Age

group............................

I accept, on behalf of my club named above, responsibility for this trophy and agree to return it to League by the 1st April of the following season. If it is lost or damaged while under our care we agree to refund the League cost of repair or replacement. We will also have it engraved within the convention of the trophy.

Signed...........................

Position in club.......................

Print Name.................

Date.....................

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19 Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds 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 either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 7 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given may be fined £10.00.

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

ALTERATION TO RULES

20. Alterations 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 the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 28th February in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 14th March and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1st April. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if 51% [a majority] of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association by 30th April each year.

All amendment of Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority.

RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

21 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 abide by any Football Association Code of Conduct. Failure to comply to this Code of Conduct by any team or club representative will result in disciplinary action taken against them as seen to be appropriate by the management committee.

Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their own supporters, players and officials. Failure to control supporters, players and officials at any match will be considered a breach in the Football Association Code of Conduct.

FINANCE

22. (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 £100.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.