JOHN BRYAN
LEAGUE RULES SEASON 2003/04
1. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
(A) This Competition shall be called the John Bryan Coventry Minor Football League and shall consist of not more than (90) Clubs, by Invitation who shall be full Member Clubs.
All such Member Clubs shall be affiliated to the Birmingham County Football Association Ltd (hereafter referred to as the B.C.F.A.) and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the Birmingham County Football Association Ltd. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be their “Home Ground” within a twelve miles radius of The Council House Coventry.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the B.C.F.A. Ltd and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in Divisions, each not exceeding 16 in number
Member Clubs shall not enter any other outside Cup Competitions (the exception being that of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
Clubs will be allowed to enter one outside Cup Competition only. The Secretary of the Club must inform the League Secretary of their intent to enter, in writing by the last day of June.
The Competition will provide 11-a-side football for players
who have attained the age of 10 as at
(B) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a
majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the Divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12
(i)The Competition shall consist of Divisions, as required, in age groups U9’s, U10’s, U11’s, U12’s, U13’s, U14’s, U15’s, U16’s, U17’s, U18’s, (or Youth U17’s &18’s age groups combined)
(ii)The U9’s & 10’s age groups shall play small sided / mini football.
(iii)All other age groups shall play 11 a-side football.
(iv)The U9’s to Youth age groups shall have no more than 16 teams in each Division.
(v)Teams due to play in a Division totalling 8 or fewer before the ensuing season commences will play a 3rd League Fixture against each other and the Fixture Secretary shall be sole arbiter in deciding where the 3rd Fixture should be played.
(vi)Clubs, if they wish, shall be permitted to enter two teams in the Youth and U9’s and 10’s age groups and one (1) only in other age groups. Where two teams represent a Club in the Youth and the U9’s and 10’s age groups they shall play in separate Divisions if two or more Divisions exist.
2. ENTRY-FEE
SUBSCRIPTION-DEPOSIT
(A) Applications by Clubs for membership to the League must be made in writing to the
League Secretary and must be accompanied by an entry fee of £5.00 per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.
At the discretion of the 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. The Entry fee shall apply.
When Rule 12(B) is applied and a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.
(i)New Clubs wishing to become members of the League, having applied and been issued with an application form, must complete and returned to the League Secretary by 31st May, in the event that the Club fails to return the application form by 31st May it shall be assumed they no longer wish to be members of the League. Clubs leaving another League to become members of this League, must submit a clearance certificate from their former League.
(ii)The Club application fee will be taken as part payment of one teams League subscription fee, if the Club is accepted into membership of the League.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting per Team playing in 11-a side football and per Team playing Mini-Soccer. payable on or before the 14th July in each year.
(i)The Annual subscription includes entry into the League and Knock out Cup Competition.
(ii)Clubs that fail to pay League Subscriptions by the 14th July shall be fined £25.00 for failing to comply and be notified and advised that if payment is still outstanding at the 31st July, they shall be deemed as having resigned from the League.
(C) Each Club shall within 28 days of election pay a Deposit of £25.00 per team, which shall be returnable to Clubs leaving the Competition, provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with orders of the Management Committee.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee and Annual Subscription have been paid.
(E) Clubs must annually advise the League Secretary in writing by 24th July of its B.C.F.A.
affiliation number, for the forthcoming season. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £5.00. Clubs must advise the League Secretary on the Application Form and Handbook Detail Form details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the League.
3. OFFICERS
The Officers of the League shall be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer, Registration Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Mini- Soccer Fixture Co-ordinator, Referees Secretary, Press Reports Officer, League Trophies Co-ordinator, Results Co-ordinator, to be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
4. MANAGEMENT,
NOMINATION, ELECTION
(A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of
The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of Officers and up to ten members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
(B)Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.
All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the League Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than the General Meeting in May in each year. Names of candidates for election shall be circulated with 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 at
(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the
League Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the League and keep a record of its proceedings.
(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted though their nominated
Officers.
(F) No more than two Members from any one Club shall be allowed to serve on the Management
Committee.
(G) Any
Member of the Management Committee who fails to attend three consecutive
Committee Meetings without giving an adequate apology shall
be deemed to have resigned their position and the Management Committee may
co-opt if it deems necessary, a member to fill the vacancy, until an
appointment is made by means of a Special General Meeting called for that
purpose and advised to the Membership prior to the next applicable General
Meeting.
5. POWERS OF THE
MANAGEMENT
(A) The Management Committee may appoint such other sub-committee 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.
(i)Note: Telephone
calls are not to be made to Management Committee members after
(B) Subject to the permission of the B.C.F.A. Ltd 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 League and if necessary, may call upon each Club(including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.(See Rule 6(E).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. This shall apply to procedure of any sub-committee. In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the
Competition and shall have jurisdiction over matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, 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 Management 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
(E)All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rules 15and16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within fourteen days.
(F) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business of the Management Committee and three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have the power to fill,
in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management
Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined £10.00 or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(I)All fines and charges shall be paid within fourteen days of date of posting of written notification.
Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such Penalties as the Management Committee may impose.
(i)A Club failing to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee within the fourteen days of receipt of notice of such order or within days of an operative specified in that order, shall not be allowed to play or take in the business of the League until the order has been complied with and a reason for the delay has been furnished to the League Secretary, who shall submit it to the Management Committee for their adjudication.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K)The Management Committee shall have power to fill any vacancy that may occur to the
membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 2nd Tuesday in June each
year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least fifty percent 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 the 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 the playing season.
(x)Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
(B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded
to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the B.C.F.A. Ltd.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Birmingham County Football Association Ltd within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General
Meeting, each Club shall be entitled to one vote only, not less than fourteen days notice shall be given of any meeting.
Note: An Attendance Register, positioned at the front of the room at all meetings and is to be signed by a representative of each Club in attendance. The representative shall:
(i)Print his or her name in the space provided.
(ii)Be issued with their voting card, which must be returned after the meeting.
(iii)Any Club failing to comply with clauses (i) or /and (ii) of this Rule shall be fined £5.00.
(iv)Any Club representative who fails to comply with clause (i) of this Rule will not be issued with their Clubs voting card and will forfeit their Clubs right to any vote taken at the meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being
concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least
two thirds of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club unless the
individual is also appointed to vote as a representative.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £5.00.
(I)Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.
7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
The Chairman and 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 to, if elected or accepted into Membership, conform to these Rules and regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rules 15/16.
Any alteration of the Chairman or Secretary on the above agreement must be notified to the B.C.F.A. Ltd and to the Secretary of the Competition.
8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this
Competition. No player registered with a F.A. Premier League
or
Players who register with either an Academy or
Centre of Excellence Club. Their registration with this Competition becomes
invalid and the player shall be deregistered.
(i)Teams will not be permitted to register in any one season more than one player who was previously registered with the Football Association Programme of Excellence either with an Academy or Centre of Excellence Club in the previous concluded season or during the ensuing season. Exceptions to this Rule shall be considered at the discretion of the Management Committee and only then under exceptional circumstances.
(ii) The only exception to League Rule 8A (i).Teams shall be permitted to register more than one previously registered player with the Football Association Programme of Excellence in any one season provided the player was last registered with the Club team prior to being registered with the Academy or Centre of Excellence Club.
(B)A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:
(i)Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by his or her Parent or Guardian, and by an Officer of the Club and who has registered with the Registration Secretary three days prior to playing. The registration document must incorporate any known serious medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details of the players parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.
(ii)Once the Registration Secretary as received the players completed registration form and Identification photographs have been issued to the Club Secretaries the player may play and the Identification photographs should be given to the appropriate team Manager(s) prior to playing.
(iii)Every player that is to be registered to play for a Club in this Competition for the first time must forward a correctly completed registration form, two passport size photographs and Birth Certificate or Medical Card to the Registration Secretary, Photostat copies are not acceptable.
(iv)Clubs must register a minimum of seven players for each of their teams from Under
11’s to Youth and a minimum of five players in the Under 9’s and 10’s entered in this
Competition, at least ten days before the date set for the commencement of the season,
irrespective of whether a team has a match or bye on the first week. Clubs shall be
fined £30.00 for each of their teams failing to comply with this Rule. The maximum total
fine that may be levied against a Club in any one season for failing to comply with this
Rule, shall be £60.00.
(v)Once the criteria of Rule 8(B) has been met, additional players must be registered at
least seventy two (72) hours before an impending fixture. Exceptions to this Rule shall be considered at the discretion of the Management Committee.
The qualification dates for the Competition shall be as follows:
Mini-Soccer
Under 9- the player must be under the age of 9 as at
Under 10- the player must be under the age of 10 as at
In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.
Youth Football
Under 11- the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 11 by midnight 31st August in the playing season.
Under 12’s must be 10 or 11 and not reached 12 years old, at
Under 13’s must be 11 or 12 and not reached 13 years old, at
Under 14’s must be 12 or 13 and not reached 14 years old, at
Under 15’s must be 13 or 14 and not reached 15 years old, at
Under 16’s must be 14 or 15 and not reached 16 years old, at
Youths must be 16 or 17 and not reached 18 years old, at
In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player
under the age of 14 as at
31st 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 F.A. Rule C4(a)(v).
(viii)Players who have not reached the age of 7 years of age
at
shall not be registered to play in this Competition in the ensuing season.
(C) Not applicable.
(D) Not applicable.
(E) 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 player’s signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.
(F) Registration forms shall be obtained from the Registration Secretary once Clubs have paid their
League Fees for the ensuing season, the Under 9’s and 10’s age groups will be provided with eighteen forms, twenty forms will be provided for each team playing in the Under 11’s and 16’s age groups, and twenty four forms for teams playing in the Youth Divisions.
(i)Should teams require any additional Registration forms, for whatever reason, a charge of 50 pence per form shall be made.
(ii)Every team in the Under 9’s and 10’s age groups shall be allowed to sign up to the last day in February each season a maximum of eighteen players but have no more than fourteen registered at the one time. Teams in the Under 11’s to 16’s age groups shall be allowed to sign up to the last day in February each season a maximum of twenty players but have no more than sixteen players registered at any one time. Teams in the Youth Divisions shall be allowed to sign up to the last day in February each season a maximum of twenty-four players, but have no more than twenty players registered at any one time. Exceptions to clause (ii) of this Rule shall be considered at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(G) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration form submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall be decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registration Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the previous registration.
(H)It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to:
(i)Play for one team in the Competition then register for another team in the Competition without being transferred first.
(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.
(J)(i)The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player.
The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion if proved guilty of registration irregularities(subject to Rules 15/16).
(ii)The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player. guilty of undesirable conduct or bringing the Competition into disrepute and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all ‘games in the Competition’ (subject to Rules 15/16).
(Note: Action under clause (ii) 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.)
(K) Subject to the Football Association Rules dealing with players without written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall obtain and submit a transfer form to the Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. Such transfer shall be referred by the Registration Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Registrations Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of transfer form. Upon receipt of the Clubs consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registration Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from three days after receipt of such transfer.
.
Note: A new players
Identification card will be issued to the players new Club.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.
(i)No transfers will be allowed in the Under 9’s and 10’s small sided mini soccer League.
(ii)A player will be granted one transfer only during the season. Exceptions to this Rule shall be considered at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(iii)If a player has been de-registered for a period of four weeks or more, the player may sign for another team without it counting as a transfer transaction. A new registration form must be completed and submitted to the Registration Secretary. If a player signs for another team within four weeks of being de-registered it will count as a transfer transaction.
(iv)Any age group player wishing to register for a new Club must obtain from his/her previous registered Club, a clearance letter that all obligations to that Club have been discharged before his/her new Club submit the new registration form to the League Registration Secretary.
(v) Provided a player has fulfilled his/her obligations, no Club shall hold a player against such players wishes.
(vi)The maximum number of players permitted to transfer into a team during a season will be two only
(L)Players will not be allowed to transfer to another Club in the Competition after the 31st January.
(i)Players may not be registered for a Club in the Competition after the last day in February and only under exceptional circumstances permission shall be considered at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(M) A Club shall keep a list of players it registers and a record of games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.
In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly designated (Red) and (Blue) or (Green). In such cases, players will be registered for one team only, players so registered will be allowed to play for his or her Club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8(B)
(i)Each Club will be held responsible for ensuring the eligibility of their players.
(ii)When a player has been suspended by the County Football Association or the Schools F.A. or the League, the players Identification card must be returned to the League Registration Secretary, for the period the suspension covers. Clubs not complying with this Rule, within three days of start of a suspension, shall be fined £10.00.
(iii)Team Managers shall give their players Identification cards to the opposing team Manager before the commencement of each game. Teams failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £10.00 for each non-compliance.
(iv)Team Managers shall be entitled to keep the oppositions players Identification cards for the duration of the match, if so desired, but must return them at the end of the game. Clubs who fail to comply with this Rule shall be fined £10.00 for each non-compliance.
(v)Failure to produce players Identification cards shall not be any reason to postpone a fixture.
failure to produce players Identification cards to the Opposition team Manager. The Manager shall be entitled to request the signatures of the players next to their names on the team sheet supplied. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £ 10.00.
(N)A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of
registration shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged.
(i)At the end of the season as determined at the A.G.M. registration of players terminates this is subject to the Football Association Rules.
(O) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or
relegation deciding match or matches (as specified in Rule 12 (A) unless the player has played four games for that team in this Competition in the current season.
(P) Not applicable.
(Q)(i)Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player shall have the points gained from the match deducted from its total and may be fined up to £10.00 or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(ii)In addition the team shall have three points deducted from its total at the discretion. of the
Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
(iii)The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(iv)Any Management Committee member has the power to impose any check necessary to determine the Qualification of players under Rule 8. Including the inspection of players Identification cards. Teams failing to comply with this Rule shall incur a £10.00 fine for each non-compliance.
Note: Age Qualification for the Sunday B.C.F.A. Minor Cup
players must be 14 years of age or over and under 16 years of age at
(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education)
(R) (i)Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.
(ii)The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues).
(iii)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)
9. CLUB
COLOURS-CLUB NAME
(A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the League Secretary by the
31st July who shall decide as to their suitability.
Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the referee.
No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to their opponents at least four days before the match.
If in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £5.00.
The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.
(i)In the event that the away team does not have a change of colours and the referee declares he/she will not play the match because the colours are similar, they shall forfeit the fixture and the points shall be awarded to the opponents. They shall also pay the whole amount of the referees fee and cost of the pitch to the home team, providing they produce proof, within seven days, that they had to pay for the venue. The Management Committee shall have the power to impose a fine not exceeding £10.00 on a team causing the fixture to be cancelled under this Rule.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name or colours must seek permission from the
B.C.F.A. Ltd. and from the Management Committee.
(i)Advertising on players clothing is allowed by the Football Association and shall be as defined in the B.C.F.A. Ltd directory, in accordance with the B.C.F.A. Ltd instruction, Clubs must advise the Competition of the name or logo they propose advertising and receive the Competitions written permission before proceeding.
10. PLAYING
SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, KICK-OFF POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES.
(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 Fixture Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 31st July, must not arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.
(i)Any Matches outstanding after the concluding date for the ensuing season agreed at the A.G.M. shall be made VOID (NOT TO BE PLAYED). However, in extenuating circumstances, the season may be extended.
(B)All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the game as determined by the
International Football Association Board, or for Mini-Soccer, the Laws of Mini-Soccer as set down by The Football Association.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.
The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time (not less than 10 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.
For Mini-Soccer-The duration of play shall be as follows for under 7 and under 8 age groups, 10/15 minutes each way and for under 9 and under 10, 15/25 minutes each way.
For Youth football-The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time. For under 11’s and under 12’s. 30 minutes each half, for under 13’s 14’s 35 minutes each half and under 15’s and under 16’s 40 minutes each half, under 17’s and under 18’s 45 minutes each half.
The minimum time for any game will not be less than 20 minutes each half for players in the under 14 age group and below and 25 minutes each half for all other age groups.
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, ie: two separate matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.
The home team must provide at least two footballs fit to play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition. The size of footballs to be used shall be. For Mini-Soccer, size 3 for players in the under 7’s 8’s age categories, size 4 for under 9’s and 10’s. For youth footballs -size 4 for those playing under 11’s 12’s 13’s 14’s age groups, size 5 for all other age groups Goal nets and flag posts, must be used.
(i)The home and away teams must have a first aid kits at all matches.
(ii)Whist treating players injuries only spray water Bottles
and Medi-Wipes should be used Buckets
and Sponges must not be used for the treatment of any injuries.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the date
originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant B.C.F.A. Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the (Fixture Secretary).
(i)The Fixture Secretary and the Mini Soccer Fixture Co-ordinator shall have the power to reschedule any fixtures up to five days prior to the game.
(D)The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the
location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Referee and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least four clear days prior to playing of the match.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to fine not exceeding £30.00.
(E)Every Club must play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the
Competition.
In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than eleven players in 11 side football or seven players in Mini-Soccer A minimum of seven players will constitute a team for 11’s and Youth Competition matches, and a minimum of five players will constitute a team in the Under 9’s and 10’s Mini-Soccer Competition matches.
(F) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement
the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine of £30.00, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the three 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.
Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have the power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
Notice of postponement of any match must be given without delay by the postponing Club (or notice of a Club being unable to fulfil any match must be given 48 hours prior to the match by the Club) to the Fixture Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointment Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match Officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.
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 mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixture Secretary within five 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.
The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches
and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and dose 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 Management Committee are
satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its
Club members 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 conduct of both teams or their Club members, the
Management Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such
action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate
(i)Any team failing to appear within 20 minutes after the schedule kick-off or with fewer than seven players or fewer than five players for the Under 9’s and 10’s age groups shall, subject to not giving a satisfactory explanation, forfeit the fixture, and the points shall be awarded to the opponents. In the event that the away team are the defaulting team they shall pay the whole amount of the Referees fee, and also the cost of the ground to the home team, providing the home team produce written proof, within seven days that the Club had to pay for the venue.
(ii)Each team shall be permitted two stand downs per season providing a minimum of four weeks prior notice in writing is given, to the League Secretary, or at the discretion of the Fixture Secretary. or the Mini Soccer Fixture Co-ordinator. No other cancellations, other than for adverse weather conditions or the ground being declared unfit will be permitted.
(iii)In the event that it is known by
(iv)All matches must be played on the dates stipulated on the fixture list issued, this is subject to Rule F(ii).
(v)In the event that both grounds are unfit for play or unavailable the “home team” officials must contact the Fixture Secretary or the League Secretary, to ascertain whether the league can provide an alternative venue. If no alternative venue is available, the fixture will be rescheduled. Whilst matches will normally be played on Sunday’s, the Fixture Secretary shall have the power to instruct teams to play midweek games should fixture congestion or other circumstances require.
(vi)For fixtures scheduled in midweek, opposing Clubs team officials must consult each other during the week prior to the fixture and try and reach agreement on which day during the following week the fixture will be played. In the event that agreement cannot be reached, the fixture must be played on the Wednesday evening. (subject to Rule 8R) The “home team” must give particulars of situation of ground to official(s) of the opposing team and Referee no later than four clear days before a midweek fixture is to be played. Any team failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined a sum not exceeding £30.00.
(vii)League fixtures will not be scheduled for Sundays directly preceding a Bank Holiday Monday. Clubs available for fixtures should advise the Fixture Secretary of their availability.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the game use five
substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five players. The Referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than ten minutes before the start of the match.
For Mini-Soccer-any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the Referee. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A player who has been replaced may return to the play as a substitute for another player.
A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
(i)Teams playing in the Under 11’s to Under16’s age groups, may be permitted to play all five named substitutes and a player who has been substituted during a match himself becomes a substitute and may, in turn, replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with F.A. Law 3 repeated substitutes.
(ii)Teams playing in the Under 9’s and 10’s age groups, may be permitted to play seven named substitutes and a player who has been substituted during a match he or she themselves become a substitute and may, in turn, replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with F.A. Law 3 repeated substitutes.
(iii)Teams playing in the Youth Division shall be permitted to use all five named substitutes at any time during their matches but cannot make repeat substitutions.
(iv) The team sheet supplied by the home team shall represent the only official record of the players and substitutes participating in League or Cup fixtures and shall be fully complete. A player appearing on the team sheet but not actually entering the field of play during a match shall have his or her name crossed out and initialled by the Club official. Substitutes who actually play in the match must have their names ticked in the box provided for on the team sheet by the players team official.
(H)The half-time interval shall be a minimum of five minutes duration but it shall not
exceed fifteen minutes. The half-time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
11. REPORTING RESULTS
(A) The Press Reports Officer must receive within four days of fixture being played, the
result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surnames of the team players (in block letters) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13. Failure to correctly complete or submit the team sheet in time will result in fines not exceeding £20.00 on each count.
(B)The match result and names of all goal scorers must be telephoned by a representative of the “home team” to the appropriate age group representative between the hours of 6pm and 7pm on the day of the fixture. Midweek fixtures, internal and external cup fixtures and postponed matches will form part of this Rule. Teams failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined a sum not exceeding £20.00. Results of midweek fixtures to be notified within 48 hours of the match played.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.
(i)No abusive or derogatory comments are to be written on the Team Sheets.
(ii)The Team Sheet supplied by the “home team” shall be fully completed by a responsible member of each Club and submitted to the Referee at least ten minutes before start of play. Failure to comply with clauses (i) or (ii) of this Rule will result in a fine of £5.00.
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
(A) Team ranking within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.
In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team ranking will be decided in any one or more of the following ways: To determine Division winners, and Division runners up.
(i)The results during the season shall be scrutinised and the team with the best record against the other(s) will be declared the higher finisher. Note: goal average, goal difference, goals scored, will not form part of the scrutinising system in this Competition.
(ii)Deciding matches shall be played at a neutral venue
Note Example:
In the two games played against each other during the season, team (A) beat team (B) in the first game, and the second game was drawn, team (A) having gained four points as opposed to the one point gained by team (B) would be declared the higher ranking finishers.
A Referee and Assistant Referees if available will be allocated for deciding match(es) the expenses to be shared equally by both teams.
(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams
in the Under 11’s and 16’s age groups except as provided for hereunder subject to the provisions of Rule I(B).
(i)Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have 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 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.
(c) Election/recommended by the Management Committee.
(iii)In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team ranking may be decided in any one or more of the following ways to determine the relegated teams.
(a)The results during the season shall be scrutinised (goal average, goal difference, goals scored,) will not form part of the scrutinising procedures and the team or team(s) with the best record against the others will retain their position in that Division and the other team or team(s) will be relegated.
(b)Should the records still be identical after being scrutinised, a deciding match or matches shall be played at a neutral venue arranged by the Fixture Secretary to determine the relegated team(s).
(c) A Referee and Assistant Referees if available will be allocated for a deciding matches the expenses to be shared equally by both teams.
(C) In the event of a team not completing its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
(D) The bottom two teams in Division (A) of each of the age groups from Under 11’s to
Under 16’s will be relegated.
In the event of a Club not being placed in the bottom two Clubs at the end of the season wishing to resign from the Competition at the end of the season, or having been excluded under Rule 17 (A) only one Club will be relegated at the end of the season.
13. REFEREES
(A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a
Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for, that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee.
(i)To determine who Referees, should the two Clubs representatives disagree the “home team” will implement clause(ii).
(ii)Toss a coin, the “away team” representative shall call and the winner shall Referee the game.
(iii)The Referee thus decided is entitled to payment. In the Under 11’s to Youth Divisions only.
(iv)The entitlement of payment shall not apply to the Under 9’s and 10’s representatives. Only Referees registered with their County F.A. and appointed by the League will be entitled to payment.
(v)If clause (ii) of this Rule is not adhered to, the Management Committee shall have the power to declare the fixture void (not to be played) and may at its discretion fine both teams, up to a maximum of £10.00 for failing to comply.
(vi)In the event the Referee was not appointed in the manner approved under League Rule 13A and the (home team) have the services of a match official the (home team) must inform the (away team) of the non allocation by the League of the Referee prior to the match which then allows the (away team) representative if they disagree to the Referee to invoke clauses (i)(ii) of Rule 13B. Failure by the (home team) to comply to Rule 13B clause (vi), and in the event the (home team) won the match the League Management Committee shall have the power to declare the fixture void (not to be played) and fine the (home team), up to a maximum of £10.00 for failing to comply with the Rule.
(C) The Management Committee may if, they consider it desirable appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any matches. Each team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.
(D)The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches
and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit to play.
(i)The Leagues appointed Referee or the person nominated to officiate the match has the authority to reduce the duration time played by five minutes each way due to inclement weather or where the elements may reduce the light, to complete the fixture. Both teams to be informed before kick-off.
(ii)The Referee must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the League Secretary.
(E) Referees appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to receive a fee determined at the A.G M.
and registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees shall be entitled to receive a fee determined at the A.G.M. subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s). These fees shall be deemed to include standard class public transport expenses.
The home team shall be responsible for paying the officials their match fees immediately after the match.
(i)Each team shall pay 50% of the Referees fee. The home team shall be held responsible for ensuring the fee has been paid, and shall collect the away teams contributions. In the event that an official is not paid the fee, the offending team(s) shall be liable to be fined £10.00 plus the outstanding portion of the fee.
(F)In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have
no control, the match officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee.
(G) A Referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to
his or her non-appearance, may have his or her name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the County Football Association with which he or she is registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by the Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the team sheet provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined £10.00 or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.
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 Birmingham County Football Association Ltd.
(i)Teams awarding marks to the Referee of four and under shall detail in writing to the Referee Appointment Secretary their reasons for the low assessment within seven days of the fixture. Teams failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined £10.00 and or dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(J) Not applicable.
(K) Referees shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP / WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
(A) After 31st December in the current season a 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 31st March each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £30.00.
(i)Clubs in membership of the Competition may be issued at the May General meeting with an Application form inviting them for continuation of membership to be endorsed at the A.G.M. Clubs failing to return their Application form by the A.G.M. shall be deemed as having resigned from the Competition and will not be represented for the ensuing season.
(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the
Annual General meeting or after the arrangement of fixtures for the following season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £20.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule5(B)
(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the Annual General meeting held not later than the second Tuesday in June, the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements.
(D) In the event of a Member Club which is un-corporated association withdrawing and/or
disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition.
In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.
15. PROTESTS AND APPEALS
(A)(i)All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretations of Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii)Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances,
protests and complaints (which must contain 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 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 or her Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination to the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 15/16.
(D) 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 £5.00. 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 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 both parties.
(E)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 Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information of which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
(i)A Club, player or Club Official, against whom action is taken within fourteen (14) days of receipt by them of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate, to the League Secretary.
An Appeal Sub-Committee will be convened within fourteen (14) days and the findings of the Appeal Sub-Committee will be referred to the Management Committee. The League Secretary shall notify the Club/s, player or Club Official of the outcome of the appeal subject to Rule 16.
(ii)Each member Club, by no later than the General meeting of September, shall be required to nominate, on the Leagues Sub-Committee Appeal Form, one Club Official, to serve on any Appeal Sub-Committee, if called upon.
(iii)The League Appeal Sub-Committee shall consist of:
(1) A minimum of 3 (Three) members who shall be selected by the League Secretary from the list of nominees forwarded by the member Clubs on the League Sub-Committee Appeal Form. The nominees shall nominate one of their number to act as Chairperson at the time of the appeal who shall have a casting vote in the event of the voting being equal.
(2)The members of the Appeal Sub-Committee shall not be associated with any Club/s involved in the appeal or have any direct responsibility as Manager or Assistant Manager for a team in the same age group.
16. BOARD OF APPEAL
Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or Competition a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Birmingham County Football Association Ltd, including a fee of £25.00 for adjudication of the Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with F.A. 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.
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS, MISCONDUCT,CLUBS OFFICALS.
(A)At the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in
accordance with the provisions of Rule19, the accredited delegates present shall have 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 (more than) two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
(i)Every Club is responsible for the actions of its players, Officials and spectators. A Club shall be guilty of misconduct if it fails to satisfy the Management Committee that it’s taken all reasonable precautions to prevent spectators throwing missiles on to the pitch and /or assaulting or threatening Officials or players, before during or after matches, Clubs are also required to prevent the use of objectionable language. Any Club Official member or associate member, found guilty of misconduct the Club shall:
(1)Appear before the Management Committee and liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) (B) and (C ) of this Rule.
(D) Any Club or Team failing to complete all its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions
are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.
18. TROPHY: LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE
SIGNED, AWARDS.
(A) A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition
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 be made to the winners and runners-up if funds of the Competition permit.
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 -----F.C. members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of ----- Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before 1st March. 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.
(i)Cups or Trophies not returned by Clubs on or before the 1st March of the current playing season shall be fined £10.00 and a further fine of £5.00, will be imposed for each week or part week that the Cup or Trophy is not returned to the Competition.
(ii)Clubs who have won Cups or Trophies as winners or runners up shall arrange for their Clubs name year/season won, to be engraved on the award. In the event that the Cups or Trophies are returned without having been engraved, the League shall arrange for the Cup or Trophies to be engraved and the cost of the engraving charged to the Club and the Club shall be fined £10.00.
Cups or Trophies returned dirty or damaged the offending Club will be responsible for cost of cleaning and/or repair.
(iii)Clubs who intend to withdraw from the Competition who have won Cups or Trophies in the concluding season, shall arrange for their Clubs name year/season won to be engraved on the award and the Cups or Trophies to be returned to the Competition Chairman by September 30th of the ensuing season.
19. SPECIAL
GENERAL MEETINGS.
Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting. The Management Committee may call a Special Meeting at any time.
At least twenty-one days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than seven days notice shall be given of any meeting.
Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £5.00.
Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
20. ALTERATION TO RULES.
Alteration shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General
Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by March 1st in each year. The proposals together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by April 14th and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by April 30th The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority present and entitled to vote are in favour of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association twenty-days prior to the date of the meeting.
Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become the operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.
21. RULES BINDING
ON CLUBS
Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the forgoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decision of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.
Drinking of alcohol during the match, within the immediate vicinity of the playing area is strictly forbidden. Any Club whose Officials or supporters are found guilty of this offence will be fined a sum of £100.00 and/or dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
22. FINANCE.
(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution
the funds of the Competition will be held.
(B) All expenditure in excess of £50.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee.
Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of the Competition shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.