LEAGUE RULES

        Rule 1 - Definitions

        GOVERNANCE RULES 

• Rule 2 - Nomenclature and Constitution
•         Rule 3 - Club name
• Rule 4 - Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit.
• Rule 5 - Management, Nomination, Election
• Rule 6 - Powers of Management
•         Rule 7 - Protests, Claims,Complaints, Appeals
• Rule 8 - Annual General Meeting
•         Rule 9   - Special General Meetings
• Rule 10 - Agreement To Be Signed
• Rule 11 - Continuation Of Membership, Withdrawal Of A Club
• Rule 12 - Exclusion Of Clubs, Misconduct Of Clubs,Officials, Players, Manage Committee
• Rule 13 - Trophies
• Rule 14 - Alterations To Rules
• Rule 15 - Finance
• Rule 16 - Insurance
• Rule 17 - Dissolution

        MATCH RELATED RULES

• Rule 18 - Qualification Of Players
• Rule 19 - Club Colours
• Rule 20 - Playing Season, Conditions Of Play, Times Of Kick-Off, Postponements, Substitutions
• Rule 21 - Reporting Results
• Rule 22 - Determining Championships
• Rule 23 - Match Officials
• Rule 24 - Knockout and Mini-Group Competitions

SCHEDULE A    

Fees Tariff

Fines Tariff

1. DEFINITIONS

(A) In these Rules:-

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

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

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

“Competition” means the Rochdale, Bury & District Sunday Football League.

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

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

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

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

“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out in schedule A

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

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

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

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

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

"Participant" shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of the FA from time to time.

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

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

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

“Sanctioning Authority” means The Football Association and the respective County Football Association Limited to which member clubs are affiliated e.g. Lancashire, Manchester or West Riding of Yorkshire.

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

"Season" means the period of time between an AGM and the subsequent AGM.

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

"SGM" means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the competition.

"Team" means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the rules.

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

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

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

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

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

 GOVERNANCE RULES

2. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

(A) The competition will be known as The Rochdale, Bury & District Sunday Football League. The Clubs participating in the Competitionmust be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

(B) This Competition shall consist of not more than 60 Clubs and associated Teams approved by the Sanctioning Authority.

(C) The geographical area covered by the Competition Membership shall be within a forty (40) kilometre radius of Rochdale Town Hall.

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

(E) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 7. 

(F) The rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the "Standard Code") determined by the FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

(G)   All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.          

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Lancashire and Manchester County Football Associations and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in divisions as determined by the Management Committee.

(H) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination

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

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

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

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

(J) All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulation for Safeguarding Children as determined by the FA from time to time.

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

(L) At the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22. 

(M) Only one team shall be permitted from any Club to participate in the same division as another team from the same Club unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. The Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority in the event of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than via transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules.

3. CLUB NAME

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

4. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(A) Any team or club intending to re-enter the competition whose conduct is considered to be unacceptable or inappropriate during a season may have their application for re-election to the competition for the following season denied by the Management Committee.

(B) Applications by new Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by the Entry Fee per team as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

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 Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.

When Rule 22(B) is applied or a team seeks a transfer or, is compulsorily transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable.

(C) In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid (in accordance with the Fees Tariff) by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Each Club shall within fourteen days of election pay a deposit of £50 which shall be returnable to Clubs upon leaving the competition providing that they have fulfilled their fixtures, complied with all orders of the Management Committee and been a member of the competition for not less than two full seasons. To complete a season a club must remain in membership until the end of the financial year on 31st May and to qualify for a refund of the deposit all fees and fines imposed up to this date must have been paid.

(D) All league fees, including entry fee, deposit, club draw and cup fees must be paid by the date of the August fixtures meeting. The total league fees are in accordance with the fees tariff. No team will be allowed to commence the season until all league fees have been paid. Fees and fines tariffs can be found at the foot of league rules.

(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 15^th July of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming playing season. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

The Officers must include a Secretary and Treasurer who shall not be the same person.

 All Secretaries of member Clubs must have a valid e-mail address for Management Committee contact.

The Secretary of the Competition must be informed of any changes of personnel with regard to the Club Secretary or Treasurer whether or not such changes are temporary or permanent.

(F) Each club shall participate in a draw which will be held at each fixtures meeting. A cash prize will be paid, the amount of which will be determined by the Management Committee. Each club shall pay an entry fee of £10 for the season and to be eligible for the prize money a club must have paid their full year’s contribution into Competition funds and be present when a draw takes place.

Any balance and interest which may accrue shall be retained by the competition.

5. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

(A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and five ordinary members who shall all be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing not later 15th May in each year.

All other candidates for election as Officers of the Competition 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 15^th 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 foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

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

 On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds 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 Officers (i.e. Secretary or Treasurer) and sent to the League Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

6. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

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

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

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

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

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

With the exception of Rules 6(i), 8(H), 9, 10(A), 11 and 19, for all alleged breaches of a Rule the Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club charged shall be given seven days from the date of notification of the charge to reply. In such reply a Club may:-

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

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

          (iii) Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for considerationby the Management Committee on the papers, or

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

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

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

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

With the exception of Teams playing at Regional NLS Feeder League level, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Management Committee must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.

The maximum fine permitted for a breach of a Rule by a Team playing at Regional NLS Feeder League level is £500.

No participant under the age of 18 can be fined. 

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

(F) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.

Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.

(G) A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any its sub-committees.

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

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

(J) Subject to a Clubs right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7 below, all fees and fines must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision. Any Club failing to do so will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Further failure to pay the original invoice and the additional fine within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding invoices are paid.

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

(L) The Management 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 Playing Season.

(M) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee maybe transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

(N) The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint honorary Life Vice-Presidents for outstanding services to the Competition. Life Vice-Presidents shall be allowed to attend, but not vote, at all meetings organised by the competition.

7. PROTESTS, CLAIMS, COMPLAINTS, APPEALS

(A)

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

(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 Competition Match.

(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 with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the Competition Match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

(C) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £10. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

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

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

  (ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then the Club should forward a deposit of £10 and indicate such when forwarding the written response.

(E) The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.

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

(i)    invite submissions by the parties involved.

(ii)   convene a hearing to hear the appeal.

(iii)  permit new evidence, or

(iv)  impose deadlines as appropriate.

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

(G) No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of misconduct.

(H) All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules and appeals arising from a Player’s contract shall be heard and determined by the Management Committee, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee. The Clubs or Players protesting, appealing, claiming or complaining must send a copy of such protest, appeal, claim or complaint and deposit a fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff) which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and the party not succeeding may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.

All such protests claims complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within fourteen days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.

 8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 31^st July in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of Members are present and entitled to vote:-

(i)       To receive and confirm the minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.

(ii)      To receive and adopt the annual report, balance sheet and statement of accounts.

(iii)      Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).

(iv)      Constitution of the Competition for ensuing Season.

(v)       Election of Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members.

(vi)      Appointment of auditors.

(vii)     Alteration of Rules, if any (see Rule 14).

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

(ix)      Fix the date for the end of the Playing Season (save for Step 7 which shall be determined by the FA). 

(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/verified balance sheet, statement of accounts and agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting together with any proposed Rule changes.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet and statement of accounts shall be sent to Sanctioning Authority within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

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

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the Playing Season being concluded or who are not continuing membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 12.

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

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

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

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

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

9. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS.

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

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

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

Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

Any Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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

 10. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

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) (name)[ ] of (address)[ ] (Chairman)/(Director) and(B) (name)[ ] of (address)[ ] (Secretary)/(Director)of [ ] Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Rochdale, Bury & District Sunday Football League 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 7.”

The agreement shal be signed by:-

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

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

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

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

11. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

(A) Any 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 31st March each season. This does not apply to a Club moving in accordance with Rule 22(B). Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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

(C) Not withstanding the powers of the Management Committee pursuant to Rule 6(i), in the event of a Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee shall be empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

12. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS, TEAMS, MISCONDUCT OF CLUBS, OFFICERS, PLAYERS, MANGEMENT COMMITTEE

(A) At the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to: (i) remove a member of the Management Committee ftom office, (ii) exclude any Club or Team from membership both of which must be supported by more than two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A member of the Management Committee orClub which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

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

(D) Any club that fails three (3) league games within one season will automatically leave the competition or may be expelled from the competition at the discretion of the Management Committee. Their results will be expunged unless they have played three quarters of the amount of games and then their remaining fixtures will be forfeited.

13. TROPHIES

(A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of cups or trophies:-

“We (A)(name) and (B) (name), the Chairman and Secretary of (name)FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of (name) 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 1^st April. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.” Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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

A trophy, to be retained by the winner for a year, together with a personal award, shall be presented to the player who has the highest aggregate of goals scored when combining Divisional and Knockout competitions. In addition, a personal award shall be made to each of the players who score most goals in divisional matches including deciding matches, in each of the divisions.

Goals scored by a player after transfer to a club in the same Division as his former club shall be taken into consideration.

Penalty goals scored in penalty shoot-outs in any match shall not be taken into consideration.

Goals scored against a club that is either expelled or resigns from the Competition during the season shall not be taken into consideration.

The Management Committee shall compile a list of leading goal-scorers from information contained on each match result notification and its decision shall be final.

14. ALTERATION TO RULES

Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31^st March in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 30^th April and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to theSecretary by 13^th May. 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 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 Authority or The Football Association (as applicable) fourteen days prior to the date of the meeting.

15. FINANCE

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

(B) All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

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

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

(E) The Management Committee shall, at their discretion, issue and determine the price of admission tickets for deciding matches, inter-league matches, semi-final and final ties and social functions and shall have the power to decide how many such tickets each team shall purchase. All proceeds shall be deposited with the Competition, which will be responsible for paying all necessary match expenses.

(F) Each season, each Member Club shall be issued with and invoiced for five handbooks per team,where provided, which will contain all the necessary information required by the competition.

16. INSURANCE

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

          (B) All Clubs must have personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players' personal accident insurance must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition Match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the Sanctioning Authority, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover requiredby the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.

          Clubs shall produce written evidence (certificate and proof of payment) to the Insurance Secretary on or before the 14^th August prior to the ensuing season that its players are insured for a minimum benefit of £100 per week per player against personal injury when playing in this Competition. Any club failing to comply shall have its fixtures suspended until such evidence is provided.

          Any fixtures not played during such a suspension shall be treated as failed fixtures and dealt with accordingly.

          Any Club paying its insurance premium by instalments must show each new receipt to the Management Committee.

17. DISSOLUTION

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

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

(C) The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:

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

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

 MATCH RELATED RULES

18. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(A) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: 

(i) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club which is submitted to the Competition three days prior to the Player playing and whose registration has been confirmed by the Competition prior to that Player playing in a Competition Match,

or

(ii) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a matchday prior to playing which is countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Competition within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match. The Player shall not play again on a subsequent match day until the Club is in possession of the approval of the Competition. A maximum of 2 Players only may be registered per occasion in accordance with this paragraph 18 (A) (ii). A maximum of 35 Players may be registered in accordance with sub paragraph (A)

(iii)  registered through WGS. 

Any registration form which is sent by either of the means set out in Rules 18(A) (i) or (ii) above that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Cub unprocessed. If a club attempts to register a player via WGS but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via WGS the registration will not be processed.

For Clubs registering Platers under Rules 18(A) (i) or (ii), registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. For Clubs registering Players via WGS (under Rule 18 (A) (iii), Clubs must access WGS in order to complete the registration process.

Failure to comply with this rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

 Each registration form must be accompanied by two passport size photographs of the player wishing to register. One will be retained by the Registrations Secretary and the other will be returned to the club. The club must take all player photographs along to every game played in the competition and must present these for inspection whenever requested by a member of the Management Committee, the match referee or an officer of the opposing team. Any club unable to present their photo ID will be asked to appear before the Committee and will incur a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Please note that from season 2021/22 all players must be registered through the Whole Game System.

(B)

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

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

(ii) Each club must have at least 11 Players registered by 31st July before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 

(C) A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) to any Club(s) shall be permitted to register and play for a Club in Competition Matches, save that the Player may be liable to be suspended from playing for that Club should the Player fail to comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.

(D) A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/team for each player registered.

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

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

(F) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:-

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

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

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

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

(G)

(i)  The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any player subject to the provisions of Rules 18(G) (ii) and (iii) below.

(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tarrif) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).

(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 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

(iv) For a player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule 18(G) (iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.

(Note: Action under Rule 18(G) (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in any Competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)

(H)  Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(a) when a Club wishes to register a Player who is already registered with another Club it shall submit a transfer form (in a format as determined by the Competition) to the Competition accompanied by a fee as set out in the Fees Tariff . Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Competition and to the Player concerned within three days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within three days, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the Player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or [ ] days after receipt of such transfer.

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

(I) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31^stMarch except by special permission of the Management Committee.

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

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

In the event of a Non Contract 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 Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 18(B)(i).

(L) A player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 22(A)) unless the player has played five (5) Competition Matches for that team in the current Playing Season.

(M) A Team shall not include more than 3 (three) Players who have taken part in 5 (five) or more senior Competition Matches  during the current Playing Season unless a period of 21 days has elapsed since they last played.

For the purpose of this Rule a senior Competition is anything above step 5/level 9 of the English Football Pyramid.

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

(N) 

(i) Subject to Rule 18(N) (ii) any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have any points gained from that Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(ii) The Management Committee may vary the sanction as it relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18(N) (i) only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.

(iii) Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18(N) (i) above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion:

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

b) Levy penalty points against the Club in default, or

c) Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed  (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).

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

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

(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues Competitions).

(iii) To play open age football the Player must have achieved the age of 16.

(P) A player who has played for a team in any division five (5) times or more shall not in that Playing Season be eligible to play in a lower division except by permission of the Management Committee.

19. CLUB COLOURS

Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by15th July each year who shall decide as to their suitability.

Any Club wishing to change its colours during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Management Committee.

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

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

Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents of the colours in which they will play (including the colour of the goalkeepers jersey) at least 3 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. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Completion Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Shirts must be numbered failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

20. PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

(A) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

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

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

Football Turf pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use to the Register.

The home Club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20(C).

Within the National League System ("NLS") all Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes. All Competition Matches outside of the NLS shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.Two matches involving the same two teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the Competition Match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.

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

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

With reference to council pitches where removable goal posts and/or nets are provided, the home team must return them to the pavilion/changing rooms at the end of the game. Failure to comply with this Rule will incur a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

All teams must be in possession of suitable first aid facilities as laid down by the Management Committee and these must be in evidence at every game,

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

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

(C) An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing Club at least 3 clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 

If the match official(s) is/are changed after the clubs have been originally notified, the Referee’s Secretary will confirm the revised appointment with the home club. If the change occurs within 5 days of the match the Referee’s Secretary will confirm the revised appointment with the home club. The home club will then confirm the appointment with the revised official.

(D) In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players that will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(E)

(i)  Home and away matches shall be played in divisional competitions. Knockout competitions shall be organised so that the first club drawn out in each tie shall be designated as the home team. Home clubs in competitions organised on a mini-group basis will be decided by the Fixtures Secretary. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a Competition Match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

     (ii) Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. 

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

     (iv) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixtures Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the Clubs involved agree, the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand. 

 Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine inaccordance with the Fines Tariff.

          Only persons nominated by the Management Committee may postpone a match.

     (v) The Management Committee shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that Competition Match and it shall not be replayed as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned Competition Match.

     (vi) The Management Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the FA or Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 18(N) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match A club may name up to 5 substitute Players, all 5 of whom may be used

A Player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitute Players not later than 10 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match.

A player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition.

(G) 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.

(H) The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who may wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her team mates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(I) Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary, or at a meeting specifically convened for that purpose, to be held no later than the last day of the months of  August, October, January, March and April of the ensuing season, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General meeting.

All clubs must be represented at a fixture meeting. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff and the Management Committee or the Fixtures Secretary shall arrange that club’s fixtures. The Management Committee will not consider any reason offered by clubs for non-attendance and will impose this fine rigorously.

          An officer or member of the management Committee may represent his club at a fixture meeting. A delegate in attandance at a fixture meeting may only represent one club.

          (J) A club may apply for a maximum of two open dates in each season. Any club requiring an open date must make application at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date concerned to the Management Committee who reserve the right to refuse such an application. No application for an open date will be considered for dates after the 31^st March in the current season unless the dates apply to Easter Sunday or Eid. If a team applies for an open date between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days prior to the concerned date this will carry a £25 administration fee.  This will constitute one of the two open dates that a club is entitled to request and only one will be allowed. Any late request for an open date under 7 (seven) days prior to the concerned date will never be allowed except for medical reasons, whereby medical certificates will need to be provided to the league. Only one late request will be allowed in each season.

21. REPORTING RESULTS

(A) The Registrations Secretary must receive within three days of the date played, the result of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the Team Players (in block letters) and also the referee markings required by Rule 23, and ALL other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tarriff.

Any club assessing a referee at four or less must notify the Secretary within seven days of the date of the match of their reasons for awarding such marks. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(B) Home clubs playing in this Competition and clubs, whether home or away, playing in the Football Association competition, County Football Association Competitions, the North West Sunday Football Championships and clubs playing in Competitions approved by the Management Committee must telephone or text the result of each Competition Match to the Results Secretary on the day of the Competition Match before 15:30 hrs in the case of Sunday matches and before 21:00 hrs in the case of evening matches. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the fines Tariff.

Any club competing in Football Association Competitions, the North West Sunday Football Champions Cup or playing in competitions approved by the Management Committee shall submit a list of participating players to the Registrations Secretary within three days of the match.

If a match is not played for whatever reason, this information should also be communicated to the Results Secretary on the day of the match before the times mentioned above. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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

22. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn Competition Match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners/runners-up. Competition Matches must not be played for double points unless in special circumstances which have been agreed by the league's affiliated F.A.

          In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head to head Competition Matches during the Season and they will be the placed the highest. Away goals do not count double. If one or both of the head to head games is a failed fixture, the ranking will be decided by the playing of a match or matches to determine the champions/runners-up. If three (3) or more teams are involved, the same rule will apply.

          If the records of two or more teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to determine the position of each then the Teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches as determined by the Management Committee.

(B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first two Teams and automatic relegation shall be applied to the last two Teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 2(L).

(i)  Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the Playing Season has commenced an equal number of Teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.

(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the Playing Season may be filled on any of the following ways:

    (a) retention of otherwise relegated Team(s)

    (b) additional promotion of the next ranked Team(s) from the division below; or

    (c) election

(iii) The last two teams in the lowest division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of Rule22 (B) (i) above.

(iv) When a senior team is relegated to a lower division of which its reserve Team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve Team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower division; and should the senior Team be relegated to the lowest division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition.

(v) Should either or both of the leading Teams in any of the Divisions have its senior Team in the next higher division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest Team or Teams in the division concerned.

 (C) Not applicable.

(D) In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 66% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee.

(E) Not applicable.

23 MATCH OFFICIALS

(A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee and that individual must referee the entire game. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match.

If the match is not played because of a disagreement over the choice of referee, the offending team(s) shall be considered to have failed their fixture and shall incur a fine in accordance with the Fines Tarriff. The offending Teams may also have points deducted at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees if available, to any match. The fees for these are to be divided equally between the two clubs. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff

(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all Competition Matches and the decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a ground, which must be accepted.

(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff, inclusive of travel expenses.

Payment shall be divided equally between the competing clubs with the home club responsible for collecting away clubs share and payment shall be made before the Competition Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Payment must be made in cash denominations of not less that £1 coins 

(F) In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses up to a maximum of £5. This payment shall be made on the day of the match by the home club who will be reimbursed by the Competition on written application to the Treasurer.

Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee. Failure to comply with this Rule will incur a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

In the event of a match commencing and subsequently being abandoned due solely to adverse weather conditions and/or the state of the ground, the officials shall be entitled to half fee which shall be paid in accordance with the foregoing procedure.

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

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

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

(J) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of Players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the Registration Secretary within two days of the match.

The home club shall be responsible for handing the match result notification form, complete with all details required by the Competition, to the referee not later than ten minutes prior to the start of the match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

(L) Match Officials shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the FA/County FA or the League.

 24. KNOCK-OUT AND MINI-GROUP COMPETITIONS

(A) All cup, shield and trophy competitions shall be conducted in accordance with the aforementioned Competition Rules where applicable.

(B) All clubs shall be compelled to enter cup, shield and trophy competitions as directed by the Management Committee. Clubs will be charged an entry fee to cup competitions in accordance with the Fees Tariff.

Knockout Competitions shall be organised so that the first club drawn out in each tie shall be designated the home team. Home clubs in Competitions organised on a mini-group basis will be decided by the Fixtures Secretary.

All ties and mini-groups shall be drawn at a fixture meeting, or if more convenient to a competition, at a Management Committee meeting, subject to the approval of a majority of clubs in attendance at a fixture meeting. The Management Committee shall have the power to allocate byes as deemed necessary.

The Management Committee shall have the power to decide when matches are played. All ties up to and including the semi-final shall be decided on the day of the match. If the scores are level at the end of normal time, then the tie shall be decided by the taking of penalties as described in the Laws of the Game. In the final tie, if the scores are level at the end of normal time, extra time of fifteen minutes each way shall be played and if the scores are level at the end of extra time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of penalty kicks in accordance with the Laws Of The Game

The Management Committee shall have the discretion to arrange for early rounds in a Supplementary Competition to be played over two legs on a home and away basis if it is considered to be beneficial to clubs. If the scores are level after both games, the tie shall be decided by the taking of penalty kicks. The number of goals scored by the away team in each leg will not count in deciding the outcome of the tie.

No extra time shall be played in any round of a cup competition other than in the final tie.

Where a competition is organised on a mini-group basis, three points shall be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and nil points for a loss. If two or more clubs finish level on points, team rankings shall be established by a deciding match or matches played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.

All games in a mini-league must be completed. A club failing or refusing to complete fixtures shall be dealt with in accordance with rule 20(E).

In the case of semi-final ties and deciding matches, referee’s and assistant referee’s fees will be paid by the Competition.

Referees and Assistant Referees appointed to a final tie shall each receive a suitable memento of the occasion in addition to the match fee.

(C) To be eligible for these competitions, a player must be registered with a club in accordance with Rule 18.

To be eligible to play in a semi-final and a final, a player must have played in a minimum of five Competition Matches or 66% of Competition Matches (whichever is the lesser) for his club’s team in competitions approved by the Management Committee during the current season.

A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match and takes part in that Competition Match shall be considered to have been a player in that Competition Match and shall have that Competition Match count towards his number of appearances for his club’s team.

A player will be eligible to play for only one team in any competition and furthermore shall be eligible to play in only one divisional competition. If a club folds and all their records are expunged, a player of that club will become a free agent and eligible to play in any competition on application to and agreement of the Management Committee.

(D) All teams in semi-final and final cup ties must send a list of players that team is to be picked from to the Registrations Secretary to arrive not less than five days prior to the game being played. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Any club that has not got a squad of fourteen players may apply for unqualified players on a pro rata basis. If a club has 11 players, any player allowed on this basis must start as a substitute.

                                                                     FEES TARIFF

                                                                                   FINES TARIFF