FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH LEAGUES
Note: As from the start of the 2003/2004 season these rules precede all other
VMI Accrington & District Junior League Rules on order from the Football Association.
The executive committee have where possible adapted the rules to reflect the individuality of the league in the hope of being able to continue to provide football for children of all ages.
Please remember our roles are voluntary and unlike the author(s) of the original standard code of rules are not paid, or do not have the time to come up with ideas like the ones listed below. We are here to provide a vehicle for children to enjoy football. After all our governing body knows best as you will often see these representatives stood on a junior match sideline during the winter months.
Executive Committee- Accrington & District Junior Football League June 2003
1. This competition shall be designated the Accrington & District Junior Football League/Cup(s) and known as the VMI Accrington & District Junior Football League (sponsorship title) and shall be Youth members of the Lancashire Football Association or approved County Association.
2. 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 Lancashire Football Association Limited or any other county association /company. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be within a 15 mile radius of Accrington Town Centre. Any Team from outside the 15-mile radius must play their games inside the 15-mile radius.
3. This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to Lancashire Football Association Limited or any other County Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 12 Teams in number.
4. Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Executive Committee of the Competition.
FA2: Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit
5. Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an entry fee of £45-00 per team (11-a-side) or £25-00 per team (mini soccer) which shall be returned in the event of non-election.
6. The Annual Subscription shall be £45-00 per Team playing 11-a-side football and £25-00 per Team playing Mini-Soccer payable on or before the 1st of June in each year.
7 Each Club shall, upon election, be notified within seven days of the Annual General Meeting or a subsequent meeting which may have taken place of the acceptance or rejection of each Team. A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee annual subscription and Deposit have been paid.
8. Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 1st of August of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they will be fined £5-00. Clubs must advise the League Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.
FA3: Officers
9. The officers of the Competition shall be known as the Executive Committee and consist of the: President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary, Press Secretary, Referees Secretary, Registration Secretary, Child Welfare Officer, and three others from member Clubs from within its membership. (N.B. Auditors are not officers).
10. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be the drafting of new rules, the arrangement of fixtures and any business of an urgent nature. In the event of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman being absent from a meeting the President shall take the chair and have the casting vote.
FA4: Management, Nomination, Election
11. The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association by an Executive Committee comprised of the Officers the Executive Committee who must be over the age of eighteen.
12. 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 of May in each year. 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 forgoing of any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.
13. The Management Committee shall meet on the last Thursday of each month during the football season to deal with business as it arises or at such time the League Chairman deems it necessary. Failure of any club to be in attendance the Club shall be fined £10-00 per Club Team. .
14. Each member of the Executive shall have the right to attend vote at all Management Committee meetings and have one vote thereat, but no member shall be allowed to vote on matters directly appertaining to such member or to the Club represented. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).
15. 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.
16. All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Secretary on Club headed paper.
FA5: Powers of Executive
17. The Executive 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.
18. In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
19. The Executive Committee shall have the 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 the Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Official 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 Executive Committee. 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.
20. All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule FA 15 FA 16.
21. Decisions of the Executive Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within seven days.
22. Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Executive Committee and three Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.
23. The Executive Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have the capacity to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
24. A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Executive Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
25. All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification and sent direct to the Leagues Treasurer.
25A. Any fine not paid within 14 days will automatically be doubled.
26. A Member of the Executive Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
27. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
FA6: Annual General Meeting
28. The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 30th of June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 51% of 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.
29. 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.
30. A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to Lancashire Football Association Limited within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
31. Each member Club shall be empowered to send two representatives per team to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote per team any voting will take place with a show of ballot cards. Not less than fourteen days notice shall be given of any Meeting.
32. 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.
33. All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot is demanded by at least 75% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
34. No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one member Club of the League.
35. Any continuing Member team failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting shall be fined £10.
36. Officers and Executive Committee Members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.
FA7: Agreement to be signed
37. The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.
We, A of (Chairman) and B of (Secretary) of the Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the _____________________ Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule FA 15 FA 16.
Any alteration of the Chairman and/or Secretary on the above agreement must be notified to the to the Secretary of the League.
FA8: Qualification of Players
38. Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.
No player registered with the F.A. Premier League, Football League Academy or any School of Excellence will be permitted to play in this competition. If any player found to be playing and registered as one of the above, the Player will have his / her registration cancelled and the Club will be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
39. Registration of players: Each Club Team must send to the Registration Secretary a list of players available for the forthcoming season by 14 days prior to the commencement of the season. All Club Teams must provide confirmation of the players date of birth. Teams must register no fewer than eleven for the 11 aside games and no fewer that seven for the small-sided games
40. Teams cannot register more than 20 players for the eleven aside games, and no more than 12 for the small-sided games.
41. A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:-
(1) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Registrations Secretary seven (7) days prior to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing.
(2) Registration forms may also be submitted to the Registrations Secretary by post prior to the player playing.
(3) The registration document must incorporate and confirm the proof of the players date of birth.
42. 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.
Under 11 the player must be under the age of 11 as at midnight on the 31st August in the playing season.
Under 12 the player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on the 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.
Under 13 the player must be under the age of 13 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
Under 14 the player must be under the age of 14 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
Under 15 the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
Under 16 the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
Under 17 the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
Under 18 the player must be under the age of 18 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season.
In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 14 as at midnight on 1st August in the playing season 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 Rules C.4 (a)(vi)).
43. Any Club Team fielding a player over the age limit for their specified age group will be fined £10-00 and have 3 points deducted on each occasion
44. 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 a 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 a players signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.
45. Registration forms shall be obtained from the League Secretary.
46. The Executive Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
47. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registrations Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.
48. It shall be deemed misconduct 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 signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
49.
(i) The Executive Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player. The Executive Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rules FA 15 FA 16).
(ii) The Executive Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule FA 15 FA 16).
(Note: Action under Clause (2) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute).
50. Subject to the Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registrations Secretary. Such transfer shall be referred by the Registrations 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 League Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Clubs consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the Executive Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 7 days after receipt of such transfer.
51. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Executive Committee for a decision.
52. A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31st of January in each season.
53. 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 Executive Committee.
54. In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly designated A and B etc. In such cases, players will be registered for one team only.
55. A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary.
56. A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match unless the player has played in or named as a substitute in 4 league games for that team in this Competition in the current season.
57.
(i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have 3 points deducted on each occasion from its total any will be fined £10-00 and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
(ii) In addition the team may/shall have further points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Executive Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
(iii) The Executive 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.
(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):-
(i) Priority must be given to school football.
(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers by the Club (except for Sunday Competitions).
(iii) Children under 14 shall not play in a team involving players who are more than 2 years older.
(Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in Football Association Rules will apply).
FA9: Club Colours, Club Name
58. Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the League Secretary by June 1st and the Executive shall decide as to their suitability.
59. Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the referee.
59A. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
60. 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 the League Secretary 7 days before the match.
61. If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the home 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 £5-00.
62. The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Executive Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. Shirts must be numbered.
62A Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from the Leagues Executive.
FA10: Playing Season, Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-off, Postponements, Substitutes
63.
(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. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 14 days prior to the start of the season, and must not arrange for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.
64. Each section shall have a minimum of 7 Teams to form a League. If a minimum of 7 cannot be found by the 1st July the League Executive will meet to discuss the number of Teams and report back to the Clubs.
64A Any Club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this Rule shall be liable for a fine of £5-00 and the Executive Committee or the Fixtures Secretary shall arrange that Clubs fixtures.
65. 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.
65A. 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 Executive Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Executive Committee shall have the power to order the venue to be changed.
66. The Executive Committee shall have the power to decide whether a pitch and /or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club to play its fixtures on another ground.
67. All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time is mutually agreed by the two Managers in consultation with the Referee prior to the commencement of the match, if both Managers do not agree the Referee decision and is final.
67A. For Mini-Soccer The duration of play shall be as follows: for under 7 and under 8 age groups, 15 minutes each way and for under 9s, 10s and under 11s, 20 minutes each way.
67B. For Youth football The duration of play shall be as follows, for and under 12s, 30 minutes each half; for under 13s, 14s, 35 minutes each half and under 15s and under 16s, 40 minutes each half.
67C. No player under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in any season shall be permitted to play more than one game or, in the event the Competition allows the playing of a double-header, i.e.: two separate matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition.
68. The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Executive Committee. All games will start at 10-15am on Saturday unless otherwise stated. Any Club failing to arrive by kick off time or causing the game to be delayed commence at the appointed time shall be fined £ 5-00 and/or be dealt with as the Executive Committee may determine.
68A. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.
68B. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the Referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. The size of football to be used shall be: For Mini-Soccer, size 3 for players in the under 7, 8 and 9 age categories; size 4 for under 10s & 11s. For youth football size 4 or 5 for those playing under 12, 13 and 14 age groups; size 5 for all other age groups.
Goal nets must be used.
Any team failing to supply correct size match balls will be fined £5-00
68C. The home team will be responsible for the payment of a) The match Referee fee and b) the ground expenses
68D. Both Team Mangers must fill in fully separate match cards with the players name in CAPITAL letters and every player must sign the match card with their OWN signature. Any breach of this rule will incur a £5-00 fine and possible points deduction.
68E. The home Team Manager will be responsible for supplying the Referee with a Referees card, and each Manager must mark the Referee out of 10, for any mark of 4 or less a letter of explanation MUST be sent to the Referees Secretary within 7 days of the match being played or a fine of £5-00 will be incurred.
68F Any Team Manager failing to complete a match card fully and send it to the Registration Secretary by first post on the THIRD working day following the match will be fined £5-00. This applies to all league and Cup games.
68G. Each home Team will be responsible for erecting both goal nets for the eleven aside games, for small sided fixtures home Team to erect and take down if only a single game being played, if the game is back to back the second game home Team will take the nets down, this includes Cup competitions.
68H. All Clubs should be encouraged to have trained first aiders, and must carry first aid kits on match days.
69. Except by permission of the Executive Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant 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.
69A. The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing to the League Secretary of full particulars of the location of, and access to, their ground. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of 5-00.
69B. Every Club Team shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition.
(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with the normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the substance of spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Executive Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed).
70. In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than Five (5) players for mini Soccer and Seven (7) players for 11 a-side the match will not take place and the defaulting team shall be fined £5 and deducted 3 points. The match will be re-arranged by the Fixtures Secretary.
71. Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Executive Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals.
71A. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Executive Committee shall have the power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponents ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
71B. Notice of postponement of any match must be given to the League Fixture Secretary on the day of the match without delay by the postponing Club. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a £5-00 fine.
71C. Postponements must be also given as a result to the Press Secretary; failure to do this will result in a £5-00 Fine
71D. Any Team who knows on Friday evenings that their pitch is unfit to play on Saturday morning MUST SPEAK TO the Leagues Fixture Secretary or the Leagues Referees Secretary or the League Secretary so that the Referee can be contacted. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a £5-00 fine
72. Each Team will be entitled to request two League games to be postponed per season. Clubs must write to the Fixture Secretary no later than seven days prior to the match being played to request the postponement. Any further requests will not be granted. Cancellations of Cup matches will not be granted.
73. In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date arranged by the Fixtures Secretary and approved by the Executive Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixtures Secretary within one day, the Executive Committee shall have the power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
73A. The Executive 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 Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Executive 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 is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams and their Club members, the Executive Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Football Association.
74. Any Team failing to appear will be fined £5-00, and will be charged the ground fee, the Referees fee, their opponents expenses and have 3 point deducted subject to the Executive Committee decision. A Team may be deemed to have failed to appear if the Team does not arrive 15 minutes after the arranged kick-off time or if the Team arrives with less than 7 players for the eleven aside game and less than 5 players for the small-sided game.
75. A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use Five (5) substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from Five (5) players. Each substitute, must sign the Referees match card in the presence of the Referee5 minutes before the game commences.
75A. For Youth Football for teams in the under 11s age group, 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.
75B. The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
FA10 A: Cup Competitions
76. The League will organise two (2) Cup competitions in each age group, the League Cup and Consolation Cup competitions. The finals of these will be held late April /. Early May at the end of each season and the finals will be played on Sundays. All Teams will be entered in the Cup competitions and any Team unable to fulfil their fixtures in any round, up to and including the final will be fined and withdrawn from the Cup competitions.
76A. The consolation Cup competition will be open to all Teams, but Teams inline for honours the League or League Cup competitions will be excluded from the competition.
76B. Clubs wishing to enter Teams in the consolation Cup must indicate their intentions to the League by the February meeting in each season by submitting the names of their Teams to the League Secretary with a deposit of £10-00 per Team. Teams failing to complete their fixtures in any round will be eliminated from the competition and forfeit their deposit. Teams excluded from the competition and all Teams fulfilling their fixtures will have their deposits returned on completion of the competition.
76C. To be able to play in any semi-final or final Cup competition a player must have appeared as a player or substitute in four (4) League games prior to the semi-finals being played. No player can play for more than one Club in any Cup competition.
76D. In all rounds of the Cup competitions, including semi-finals and final ties, if the score is equal at the end of designated time, then extra time will be played of ten (10) minutes each way for the eleven (11) aside games and six (6) minutes each way in the small sided games. If the scores are level at the end of extra time, the match will be resolved by a penalty shoot out (11 aside games 5 penalties then sudden death, small sided 3 penalties then sudden death)
76E. The expenses of all Cup fixtures to be shared by both Teams
75F. Cup Final Referees and Assistants, semi- final Referees and consolation Final Referees to be a6pointed by a specially elected Committee.
FA11: Reporting Results
77. The HOME team must notify the result to the Press Secretary.
The Press Secretary must receive within by 6 pm for Saturday games (9 pm for midweek games) by either telephone message or e-mail, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. Age group, section, home team score, away team score. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £5-00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Executive Committee decide.
77A. Each Team Manager must ensure that every aspect of signed match card is fully and correctly completed and then counter signed by a responsible member of the Club. A failure to comply will result in a £5.00 fine. The Executive Committee shall have the power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club Team which submits a card containing incorrect information.
77B Each Team Manager must send the fully completed match card for all matches played to reach the Registration Secretary by no later than the first post on the THIRD working day following the match was played. This applies to all League and Cup games. A failure to comply will result in a £5.00 fine.
FA12: Determining Championship
78. 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.
78A. In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings will be decided by a play off to decide the winners, deciding matches played under conditions determined by the Executive Committee
78B. For deciding matches, in the event of the scores in a special championship match played under conditions determined by the Executive Committee being level at the end of the game, 12 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 6 minutes for small sided games, and 20 minutes of extra time will be played in two equal periods of 10 minutes. If no goal is scored during extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football. Three penalties for small-sided and then sudden death, five penalties for 11 aside games and then sudden death. The Captain winning the toss can elect to take the first or second penalty.
78C. In the event of a team not completing all of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
FA13: Referees
79. Registered Referees for all matches where possible shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Executive Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).
79A. In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the Team Managers shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game have full powers, and status and authority of a registered Referee.
79B. The Executive Committee may, if they consider desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5-00 fine being imposed on the defaulting Club.
79C. The appointed Referee shall have the 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.
79D. Match Officials appointed under this rule shall be entitled to charge £9-00 per small-sided game, and £14-00 for eleven aside games.
79E. The home Club shall play the Officials their fees and expenses before the match commences.
79F. 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 full fee. half fee if the Referee calls the game off. Where a match is not played owing to one Club Team being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend their full fee.
79G. A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have his name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the County Football Association with which he is registered.
79H. 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 Executive Committee shall determine.
The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date of each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Football Association.
79I. The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the Fixtures Secretary within three days of the match.
79J. Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
FA14: Continuation of Membership or Withdrawal of a Club
80 All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by the 1st May.
80A. After 30th April in the current seasona Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a Team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by the 15th May each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £10.00.
80B A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting /arrangement of fixtures for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £10-00 per team and shall also be liable for the surrender of its registration fee
FA15: Protests and Appeals
81.
(i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or Interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Executive Committee via the League Secretary in writing no more than 7 days after the incident arises.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Executive Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such a protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
81A. Except in cases where the Executive 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 seven (7) days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Executive Committee. A Member of the Executive Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such a protest or complaint is being determined.
81B. Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Executive Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule FA 15 FA 16.
81C. No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Executive Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £10-00. 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 the power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or completing to play the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
81D. 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 seven (7) days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Executive Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
FA16: Board of Appeal
82. Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Executive Committee or the Competition a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such a decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Lancashire Football Association, including a fee of £35-00, 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.
FA17: Exclusion of Clubs, or Teams, Misconduct, Clubs, Officials, Players
83. At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of rules. 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 75%of those in attendance present and allowed to vote. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
83A. At the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of rule. the accredited delegates 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 75% of those present and allowed to vote. 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.
83B. Any Club, Club Team, 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 Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Executive Committee may decide.
83C. Any Club or Team failing to complete all of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of 75% in attendance and allowed to vote be debarred from membership the following season.
FA18: Trophy: - Legal Owners, Conditions of Taking Over, Agreement to be Signed, Awards
84. A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition be 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 may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit. If a trophy is not returned to the League Secretary by the 31st March the defaulting Club will be fined £20.00
The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-
We A _________________ and B ___________________, 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 __________________. 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.
FA19: Special General Meetings
85. Upon receiving a requisition signed by one Club and seconder of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.
85A. The Executive Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.
85B. At least Fourteen (14) days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.
85C Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send one delegate per team to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote per team only. Not less than Fourteen (14) days notice shall be given of any Meeting.
85D. Any continuing Member Club Team failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting shall be fined £10.
85E. Executive and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
FA20: Alteration to Rules
86. 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. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.
86A. Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the League Secretary by May 20th in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Executive Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 28th May any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 4th June. 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 75% of those in attendance and entitled to vote.
FA21: Rules Binding on Clubs
87. Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Executive Committee. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.
FA22: Finance
88. The funds of the League which is a non profit making organisation shall be dealt with through an account with some Banking Company in the names of the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, any two of these three persons being eligible to sign cheques, subject to them reporting their actions to the next Management Committee meeting or earlier if required.
88A.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.
FA23: Miscellaneous
89. Any Team that fails on a second occasion to comply with any of the above rules will be asked to appear before the Executive Committee, and will be liable to increased fines.
89A. All fines must be paid within 14 days of being imposed. Should the fine fail to be paid within the stated time, or an appeal lodged with the League Secretary, the fine will be doubled. All fines should be paid direct to the Leagues Treasurer. If the fine is still unpaid after a further 7 days the Executive Committee has the power to deal further with the matter.
89B. All fines stated in these rules are minimum fines.
89C. Any complaint or protest must be sent to the League Secretary within seven days of the match and the protesting Club should enclose a protest fee of £10-00. The matter will be considered by the League Executive Committee at a hearing at which all parties will be invited to attend.
89D. A Club Team may be expelled from membership of the League for persistent misconduct, subject to a majority decision at a full League meeting summoned by a notice issued not less than seven days before such meeting. Such notice to name the Club and the reasons against which notice of expulsion is given.
89E. In the event of any Club Team being disqualified from taking part in the League all matches such Club Teams has played, no matter what the result has been, shall be considered void as League matches.
89F. Any offending Club Official receiving correspondence from the League Secretary must acknowledge same in writing within seven (7) days to the League Secretary.
89G. Anything not stated in these rules will be decided by the Executive Committee.
89H. Inter League Teams selection, fixtures, transport and any other arrangements to be the responsibility of a specially appointed Committee.
FA24: Dissolution
a) A resolution to dissolve the League must be carried by at least 75% of those present and eligible to vote.
b) Dissolution shall take effect on the day following acceptance of the proposal and three members of the Executive committee shall be elected by those present to be responsible for winding up the assets and liabilities of the League.
c) The Secretary of the League shall inform all interested parties of the dissolution.
d) All excess monies remaining after the League has settled any outstanding debts, shall be disposed of to any number of registered charities, suggested by the Executive committee. No monies in any form shall be passed on to any Public Limited Company or Limited Company for disposal.
e) League Equipment shall be disposed of to other non-profit making voluntary organisations, which the Executive feel will benefit.
f) The Executive shall endeavour to find other suitable organisations for the playing membership of the League to enable them to continue their participation in association football.
g) A record of the disposal of the Leagues assets shall be kept by the League Secretary, and a copy of this record shall be sent to the Secretary of the County Association that the League is affiliated to.