CHARLES   RICE   JUNIOR  AND   MINOR  FOOTBALL   LEAGUE

 

                                                 LEAGUE    RULES     2009    -    2010

 

U P – D A T E D

 

MAY   2 0 0 9

 

Standard Code of Rules  For Youth Competitions

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

 

1.               (A) This Competition shall be designated the Charles Rice Junior & Minor Football League, Invitation and League Cup, and shall consist of not more than 42 Clubs who shall be
Full Member Clubs and not more than 88 Clubs who shall be Associate Member Clubs.

 

All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the West Riding County Football Association.  The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be 20 miles radius from Selby Abbey.

 

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the West Riding County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding fourteen in number.

 

Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.

 

The competition will provide 11-a-side football for players who have attained the age of 10 as at midnight 31st August in a playing season and Mini-Soccer for players who have attained the age of 6 years but not the age of 10 years as at midnight on 31st August in a playing season.

 

(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 decided or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion.  When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.

 

(C) In accordance with the FA Football Development Strategy to promote the FA Charter Standard Scheme to all affiliated clubs the League is currently working towards being awarded Charter  League Status from the commencement of 2010 / 2011.

 

Existing member clubs are to demonstrate that they are dedicated to achieving  Charter Standard

Any new Clubs seeking membership of the League from the Commencement of the season 

2010 / 2011 must be Charter Standard  accredited or alternatively achieve  Charter Standard  accreditation within 12 months from the date of application approval to join the League.

 

 

 

 

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

 

2.               (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £2.00, per team, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

 

At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting member’s 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.

 

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £30.00 per Team playing 11-a-side football and £30.00 per Team playing Mini-Soccer payable on or before the 31st August in each year.

 

(C) Each club shall, within 7 days of the day of election, pay a Deposit of £10.00 which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

 

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

 

 

 

(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 6th August of its appropriate County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00.  Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.

 

 

 

OFFICERS

 

3.               The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registration Secretary and Referees Secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

 

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

 

4.               (A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulation of the Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and Ten (10) members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

All participants shall abide by the Football Association Regulations for safeguarding children as determined by the Association from time to time.

 

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.  All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 12th 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 monthly/as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises.

 

             On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.

 

             (D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications should be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence or the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

 

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

 

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

 

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

 

(B) Subject to the permission of the West Riding County Football Association having being obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season (see Rule 6(e)).

 

(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules.  Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official ( limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Finacial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition  Rules

All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules.

 

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

 

Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within seven 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 power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that occur amongst their number.

 

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

 

(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of posting of the written notification.

 

             Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

 

             (J) 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 the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

 

           ( L) No participant under the age of 18 can be fined. Fines for non attendance at League meetings  shall be £10.00

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

6.               (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year.  At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 25 Members are present and entitled to vote:-

 

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

(   ii) To consider any business arising therefrom.

(  iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

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

(   v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(  vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.

( vii) Appointment of Auditors.

(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).

             (  ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.

             (   x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to

                      an Annual General Meeting.

 

             (B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forward to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the West Riding County Football Association. 

 

             (C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the West Riding County Football Association 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 seven days notice shall be given of any Meeting.

 

             Associate Member Clubs may be represented at an Annual General Meeting in the proportion of one representative for each six or part of six Associate Member Clubs and such representatives shall exercise the powers and rights of Full Members at such meetings.

 

             (E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership or the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.  This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.

 

             (F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least one third 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 of a group of Associate Member Clubs.

 

             (H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £20.00.

 

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

 

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

 

7.               The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

 

“We, A ________________________ of ______________________________ (Chairman) and B _____________________________of _____________________________(Secretary) of the ­______________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the ___________________________ Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by the implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.”

 

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

 

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

 

8.               (A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.

 

No player registered with a F.A. Premier League or Football League Academy will be permitted to play in this competition.  A Player registered with a Centre of Excellence may only play in this Competition subject to the Regulations of the Programme of Excellence.

 

(B) A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:-

 

(1)     Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by his/her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the (Registrations) Secretary two days prior to playing an whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club 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.

 

(2)     Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the (Registrations) Secretary within two days (Sunday excluded) subsequent to the match.  The player shall not again play until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil.  A maximum of two players may be registered in this way.  These details must be available at matches and training events the player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.

 

 

 

The registration document must incorporate a current passport-size photograph of the player seeking registration together with proof of the player’s date of birth.

 

The qualification dates for the competition shall be as follows:-

 

Mini Soccer

 

Under 7 – the player must have attained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 8 – the player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 9 - the player must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 10 - the player must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

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

 

Youth Football

 

Under 11 – the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 11 by midnight 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 12 - the player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 13 - the player must be under the age of 13 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 14 - the player must be under the age of 14 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 15 - the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 16 - the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 17 - the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

Under 18 - the player must be under the age of 18 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season.

 

In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 15 as at midnight on 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 FA Rule C.4(a)(v)).

 

 

(C)           A team shall not include more than four players who have taken part in any County FA or more senior competition matches during the current season unless a period of 42 days has elapsed since they played.

 

For the purpose of this Competition a senior competition is  FA Youth Cup

 

(D)           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.

 

(E)            A fee of 10p shall be paid for each player registered. A maximum of 21 players per team at any one time may be registered. Teams wishing to register any additional players must first de-register player/s so as to keep within the maximum 21 players

 

Registration forms shall be obtained from the (Registrations) Secretary on prepayment of £1.00 per 25 forms.

 

(F)            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 (Registrations) Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

 

(G)           It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to:-

 

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

      being transferred.

(ii)                      Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer.

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

 

(H)       (i)                   The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any

                                player.

 

           (ii)            The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or

                              suspend the registration of any player who ;-

                            has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (Subject to Rule 16 )          

                                proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16)

 

(iii)         The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or

               cancel the registration of  any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct.

           (Subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA  or relevant County     Football Association Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct which may deter a participant from being involved in this competition.

 

             (Note:  Action under Clause (iii) 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 and will in any case be subject to an appeal to the Football Association ) For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where a player has received in excess of 112 days suspension,10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence

 

 

 

 

( I)  Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a      player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the (Registrations) Secretary accompanied by a fees of £1.00.  Such transfer shall be referred by the    (Registrations) Secretary to the Club for which the players is registered.  Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the (Registrations) Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form.  Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to given written objection within seven days, the (Registrations) Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 2 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.

 

J)               A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31st January except by special permission of the Management Committee.

 

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

           Registrations are valid for one season only

 

             In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly designated “A” and “B” etc.  In such cases, players will be registered for one team only.  A player so registered will be allowed to play for his Club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8(B).

 

L )      A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration,    shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged .Registrations are valid for one season only.

In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same club, another club in the competition or with another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be declared void. In order to play  in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this rule.

 

M)           A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12 (A)) unless the player has played two games for that team in this Competition in the current season.

 

N)             A player who has played for a team in the Premier/1st Division four times or more shall not in that season be eligible to player in a lower Division except by permission of the Management Committee.

.

 

O)        (i)             Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or player shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

 

(ii)            In addition the team may 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, at its discretion, award the points available in the match in question to the opponents , subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.

 

(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education

 

 

P)         (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

             Competitions.

 

(iii)           Children under 14 shall to play in a team involving players who are more than 2 years

             older.

            

 

 

 

CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME

 

9.          (A)             Every club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by August 6th 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 its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least three 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 a lack of distinguishing colours and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.  Shirts must be numbered.

 

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

 

PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY

 

TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES

 

10.        (A)             The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season, which shall be in accordance with Football Associations Rules.  No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date.  Original fixtures arranged by the (Fixtures) Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, to be held no later than April 12th must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.

 

             If mutually arranged at a meeting a list of fixtures must be forwarded to the (Fixtures) Secretary within seven days of the meeting.  Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the (Fixtures) Secretary within fourteen days of their issue.

 

             Any club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this Rule shall be liable for a fine of £5.00 and the Management Committee or the (Fixtures) Secretary shall arrange that Club’s fixtures.

 

(B)   All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer; the Laws of Mini-Soccer as set down by the Football Association.

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

 

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

 

All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time (not less than 60 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.  15 minutes each way and for under 9 and under 10.-20 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 and under 12.  30 minutes each half; for under 13, 14 35 minutes each half and under 15 and under 16  40 minutes each half; under 17 and under 18,- 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, i.e. two separate matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition.

 

The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the AGM or the Management Committee.  Any Club failing to commence at the appointed times shall  be fined a sum not exceeding ten pounds or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

Sept/Oct/ Mar/April  - 2;30

Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb       - 2;15

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

Clubs with several teams will have to stagger kick off times. All  Clubs to be flexible on kick off times to suit home clubs commitments where possible.

 

The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable.  The size of football to be used shall be For Mini-soccer; size 3 for players in the under 7 and 8 age categories; size 4 for under 9 and 10; for youth football – size 4 for those playing under 11,12, 13 and 14 age groups; size 5 for all other age groups.  Goal nets must be used.

 

(C)                     Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Associations Cup Competitions.  All other matches must be considered secondary.  Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the (Fixtures) Secretary. No Club will be allowed to postpone in excess of three fixtures in one season unless the following circumstances apply;-

 

The pitch surface is unplayable

The Football Association Competition and / County Cup competition takes precedent on the day of the proposed fixture.

School activity  to be honoured, confirmation in writing required

In the event of a club having had three prior postponements and the above conditions not being met points will be awarded  to their opponents in accordance with League Rules should they fail to fulfil the fixture at the appointed time and date

 

(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 match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match.  The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.

 

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £10.00

 

 

(E)            Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition.

(Note: The intention to this rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another or lower team  If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed).

 

In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 10 players they may be fined £1.00 for each missing player.  A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

 

             (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, deduct points from and defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the ward of goals.  Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

 

                    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.  Clubs  in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £20.00 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.

 

                    Notice of postponement of any match must be given without delay by the postponing Club.  Such notice must be given 7 (days) by the Club to the (Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments 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 to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee.  Failing such agreement and notification to the (Fixtures) Secretary with 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 day.

 

                    The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both teams .Where  it is to the advantage of the Competition and does not 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 opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary.  In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall  rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.   Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate Affiliated Football Association.

 

( G)      A club may at is discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.

            

             For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the Referee.  Entry on to the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play.  A player who has been replaced may return to play as a substitute for another player.

 

             For Youth Football – for teams in the under 16 age group and below, a player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

 

             The Referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 15 minutes before the start of the match.

 

             A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game with the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

 

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

 

REPORTING RESULTS

 

11.        (A)       The (Registration/Fixtures) Secretary must received with 3 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 13, or any other information required by the Competition.  Failure to do so will incur a fine of £5.00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

 

(B)           The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match to the Result Secretary 6.30 pm on the day of the fixture.

 

(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.

 

(D)           Before a game commences each team shall complete a match report form listing,(Match, Players, Substitutes ) copies of which must be handed to the opposing Team Manager. Clubs failing to do this shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £5.00. Each team must retain a copy of their opponents Match Report Form.

 

 

 

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

 

12.        (A)       Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 points to be awarded for a win and 1 point for a drawn match.  The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners.  Matches must not be played for double points.

                       In Mini Soccer points can only be awarded for Under 9 and Under 10 Competitions.

  

                         In the event of two or more teams being equal on points teams ranking will be decided in the following way – Deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee. In this instance ,Goal average, Goal difference or Goals scored does not apply for any division ranking.

 

                         For deciding matches, in the event of the scores in a special championship match played under conditions determined by the management committee being level at the end of the game 20 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 10 minutes.  If no goal is scored during extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.

 

(B)           Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first three and the last three teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b).

 

(i)    should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced an equal number of team 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 teams(s)

b)                   additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below

c)                   election.

 

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

 

 

             (C)       In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.

            

 

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 appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams.  In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referee, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a 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.

 

(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.  Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.  Failure to do so will result in a fine of £3.00 being imposed on the defaulting Club.

 

 

(D)           The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.

 

(E)            Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 20p per mile and any other permitted expenses actually incurred together with the following match fees:- 

 

             Referees £12.00, Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £9.00 subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s).

 

      The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses before the match. No Referee shall be expected to wait more than 20 (twenty) minutes, except in extreme circumstances. After this period of time a referee shall be free from his obligations to the match, provided he reports to the League Secretary in writing.

 

(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 fees plus expenses. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

 

(G)           A Referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may be 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 prescribed form provided.  Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

             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 County Football Association.

 

(I)             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  Secretary within two days of the match if requested by the Secretary.

 

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

 

 

14                               CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR

WITHDRAWL 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 fixture and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding  £15;00            

 

             All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by  May 15th

 

(B)           A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting/arrangement of fixtures for the following Season.  Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £15.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).

 

(C)           The Membership for the coming season having been decided at a Special General Meeting held for that purpose not earlier than April 30th later than June 30th at the Annual General Meeting held not later than June 30th 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 an un-incorporated 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 this 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, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.

(ii)   Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match.  Any 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 full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer.  A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee.  A Member of the Management Committee who is  a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

 

(C)           Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

 

(D)           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 the 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 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 which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint. Written reasons of the Management decisions will be supplied to all parties within 7 days.

 

 

BOARD OF APPEAL

 

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

 

 

 

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

 

17.        (A)       At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, Notice of  Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting.  Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

 

(B)           At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or Team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3rds) or those present and voting.  Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.  A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

 

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

 

(D)           Any Club or Team failing to complete 75% of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.

 

 

TROPHY – LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS

 

18         (A)       A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees.  If a Competition 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 the 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               FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of                    Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before 1st 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.”

 

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

 

19.            Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

 

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

 

At least seven days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.  Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings.  Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.  Not less than seven days notice shall be given of any Meeting.

 

Associate Member Clubs may be represented at all Special General Meetings in the proportion of one representative for each six or part of six Associate Member Clubs and such representatives shall exercise the powers and rights of Full Members at such meetings.

 

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

 

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

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

 

ALTERATION TO RULES

 

20.            Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19.  Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

 

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31 March in each year.  The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by seven days in advance of the meeting and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary.  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 two-thirds (a majority) of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

 

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association seven days prior to the date of the meeting.

 

Any alterations or additions decided upon at the meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.

 

RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

 

21.            Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16.  Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

 

FINANCE

 

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

 

(B)           All expenditure in excess of £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 30 May.

 

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

 

            MANAGEMENT AND CONDUCT OF CLUBS – CARE OF  JUNIOR  PLAYERS

 

           Each Club in the League shall be controlled and directed by an Adult (18 years or over) or  be under control and direction of a Committee presided over by an adult, who shall be responsible to the League for the management of the Clubs compliance with these Rules and general well being of the members of the Club.

 

           Each Club operating age limit Football shall ensure that each person  connected with the teams    

           (eg Secretaries, Managers, Coaches, Trainers, Volunteers )  is in possession a a valid Parent County FA Child protection Identity Card issued by its Association.

           This card is to be carried at all times when involved with Children and must be produced on demand to County FA  Council. The issuing of the card will be conditional on the Association receiving positive and valid decision from an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Application check, made through the FA CRB Unit via its County Parent Association. The cost of the CRB checking will be borne by the individual or Club

CHILD PROTECTION

 

1.               Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.

 

2.               In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

 

3.               Upon receipt by the Association of:-

 

3.1            notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence: or

 

3.2            notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an Offence: or

 

3.3            any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

 

4.               In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association shall given consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-

 

4.1            whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm:

 

4.2            whether the matters are of a serious nature;

 

4.3            whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.

 

5.               The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under the Rules of The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.

 

6.               Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

7.               Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football activity for such a period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

 

8.               For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any committee or sub-committee thereof, including the Board.

 

9.               Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any club with which he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.