STANDARD CODE OF RULES

FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

Updated August 2006.

This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association and additions, for Youth Competitions.  Youth Competitions may add to the core of the Standard Code, which is mandatory, as they see fit.  The mandatory element is printed in roman text and the optional elements of the Standard Code in italics.

 

This Standard Code of Rules is mandatory for all sanctioned Youth Competitions as from Season 2003-2004.  Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with the code putting them in the correctly numbered Rule and showing the standard heading.

INDEX OF CONTENTS.

 

 

1.             NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION.

 

2.             ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT.

 

3.             OFFICERS.

 

4.             MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION.

 

5.             POWERS OF MANAGEMENT.

 

6.             ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

 

7.             AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED.

 

8.             QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS.

 

9.             CLUB COLOURS.  CLUB NAME.

 

10.          PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF,

POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES.

 

11.          REPORTING RESULTS.

 

12.          DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

13.          REFEREES.

 

14.          CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB.

 

15.          PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS.

 

16.          BOARD OF APPEAL.

 

17.          EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS, MISCONDUCT, CLUBS,

OFFICIALS, PLAYERS.

 

18.          TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED.  AWARDS.

 

19.          SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS.

 

20.          ALTERATION TO RULES.

 

21.          RULES BINDING ON CLUBS.

 

22.          FINANCE, FEES AND FINES.

 

23.          CHILD PROTECTION.

 

24.          RULES FOR CUP COMPETITIONS.

 

 

 

 

 


 

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION.

 

 

1.         (A) This Competition shall be designated the North Bury Junior Football League and Known as the North Bury Junior Football League and shall consist of not more than 100 Clubs who shall be Full 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 Manchester County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be Greater Manchester and South Lancashire.

 

            This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Manchester County Football Association(s) and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 (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. The League may also provide 9-a-side football for the under 11s age group.

 

            (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.

 

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 £60:00 per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

 

            At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. 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 £60:00 per Team playing 11-a-side football and Mini-Soccer payable on or before the 23rd July in each year.

 

            (C) Each Club shall, within 0 days/on the day of election, pay a Deposit of £0:00 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 14th July of its Relevant County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £25:00. 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 Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registration Secretaries, Referees Secretary, Results Secretaries and minute’s secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).

 

Bye Law.

3/1        The competition may appoint a President at its discretion, who shall not be an officer of the Competition and shall have no voting rights. The President is not subject to re-election, and can only be removed by either resignation, or vote of no confidence.

 

 

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

 

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

 

            (B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.  All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 31st March in each year.  Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.  In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting

 

            (C) The Management Committee shall meet as 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 shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

 

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

 

Bye Law.

4/1        The competition shall elect a Discipline (Sub) Committee, to be comprised of Three (3) member’s co-opted from the management committee who shall deal with all matters of discipline complaints raised by officers of the competition, or disagreement between Clubs/Teams, on behalf of the Management Committee. Their decisions will at all times be subject to an Appeal procedure (See Rule 16a).

 

4/2        The competition shall elect an Appeal (sub) Committee to be comprised of the Appeals Chairman plus Two (2) other members, co-opted from the Management Committee or from member Clubs who shall deal with all appeals against the decisions of either the Management or Discipline (sub) Committee. No member may sit on the Appeal committee if they have been involved with the item at either Management or Discipline Committee Stage. Their Decisions shall be liable to appeal to MCFA (See Rule 16a).

 

           

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

            (D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, 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 Rule 16.

 

            Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 (Fourteen) days.

   

            (F) ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­4 (Four) Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and 3 (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 may occur amongst their number.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

            (J) 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 in between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

 

Bye Law.

5/1        All members Clubs shall be required to attend the league meetings on the dates arranged by the Management Committee.

5/2        A Club having a team in the Mini Soccer section (Under 7’s to Under 10’s) shall have a representative present at this meeting failure to do this will result in that club being in breech of this rule and result in a fine of £25:00.

 

5/3        A Club having a team in the Youth Football section (Under 11’s to Under 15’s) shall have a representative present at this meeting failure to do this will result in that club being in breech of this rule and result in a fine of £25:00.

 

5/4        Any Club/Team failing to comply with an order of the Management committee shall be find a sum of £30:00

 

 

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 51% Members are present and entitled to vote:-

 

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

(ii)      To consider any business arising there from.

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

          Accounts.

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

          Committee).

(v)       Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(vi)      Election of Officers and Management Committee.

(vii)     Appointment of Auditors.

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

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

(x)      Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

 

(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the

Manchester County Football Association.

 

 

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Manchester 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

14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

 

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.  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 51% 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 £30:00.

 

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

 

Bye Laws.

6/1        The Officers of the League shall be elected at the Annual general meeting, subject to Nominations taken at the last League meeting prior to the AGM.

 

6/2        All member teams, plus new Teams in application to the Competition must provide a fully completed League Membership Form (as provided by the Competition) at the Annual General Meeting. This is a Condition of membership of the Competition. Failure to do this will result in a fine not exceeding £10:00.

 

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 and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16."

 

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

 

            (Note:  The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).

 

 

Bye Laws.

7/1        A Club/Team may not be a member of the Competition unless a Completed Membership form has been presented at the Annual General Meeting and accepted by the Management Committee.

 

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

 

  1. (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 for Excellence.

 

(Please Note: to be sure that any ex acadamy players are clear to play in this league they need a release form from the club they have left. make sure before signing them you are given a copy of the release form issued to them by the club they left. it should be signed by a club representative from the acadamy they have left for it to be valid. If this form is not produced then do not sign the player until it is produced as they will be ineligable)

 

            (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, counter-signed by his /her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Registrations Secretary in accordance with the league initial registration date or (5) Five days prior to playing once the current season has commenced and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing.

             

            The registration document must incorporate any known medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details of the player’s parents or guardians.  These details must be available at matches and training events the player attends within the management of the Club 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 11by midnight 31st August in the playing season. This also includes teams playing 9-a-side

            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.

 

            In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 14 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)).

 

            Rules (C) &(D)are not applicable to the North Bury Junior League

 

            (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) A fee of £0:00 shall be paid for each player registered.

 

            Registration forms shall be obtained from the (Registrations) Secretary on prepayment of £0:00 per form.

 

            (G) 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.

 

            (H) 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.

 

            (I) (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player. 

 

                 (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities.

                 (Subject to Rule 16).

 

            (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule       16). Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition.

           

            (Note:  Action under Clause (ii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute.)

 

            (J) 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 fee of £10:00. Such transfer shall be referred by the Registrations Secretary to the Club for, which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the 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 give written objection within seven days, the Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or (5) Five 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.

 

            (K) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 28th February in each season except by special permission of the Management Committee.

 

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

 

            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 players so registered will be allowed to play for his Club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8 (B).

 

            (M) 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.

 

            (N) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion, relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played 7 games for that team in this Competition in the current season.

 

            (O) Not Applicable in the North Bury Junior Football League.

 

            (Note: There are many differing procedures to cover eligibility of players in various divisions of which the above is only one example.  A Competition should adopt a Rule to suit their particular requirements.)

 

            (P)(i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players 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 3 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.

           

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

           

            (Q) (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 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.)

 

Bye Laws.

8/1        A player having once signed for a Team within the Competition will not be allowed to play for another Team within the Competition without being first completing a transfer form.

 

8/2        Any Club Official or Player wanting to de-register or be de-registered from a member Club/Team must do so in writing. Any player being De-registered will not be allowed to register for another Team within the competition for a Minimum of 21 days and a Maximum of 28 DAYS. (The aim of this rule is to stop any attempts by clubs to poach a player from another Club/Team via any Covert or Backdoor methods and to prevent a Team/Club from folding during the course of a season).

 

8/3        Each Club shall register with the Registrations secretary sufficient players to enable it to run the team or teams entered by the Final registration date issued by the league, this is Seven (7) players for Mini Soccer, (9) players for 9 a-side and Eleven (11) for Youth Football (11-a-side). Failure to comply will result in a fine not exceeding £40:00 per team and the disbarment of the Team concerned from the Main Knockout Cup and Supplementary Cup Competitions.

 

8/4        Any team not registered within the official registrations date set by the league or by the 9th August which, ever date is later will not be allowed to participate within the league without special permission of the Management committee.

 

8/5        The maximum number of players a team can have registered at any one time during the season is as follows?

            Mini Soccer Teams Under 7’s to Under 10’s 14 players per team.

            9 A-Side Teams Under 11s 14 Players

            11-a-side competitions Under 11’s Upwards is 20 players per team.

 

8/6        It is the responsibility of the Club Secretary and Team managers to ensure that all players are Category “B” or “C” and in the correct age group, all registrations are up to date including de-registrations. The Registrations Secretary or Management Committee shall reserve the right to ask a player to provide their Original Birth certificate or passport if it is felt for any reason that any player is in contravention of this rule.

 

8/7        Any player being found guilty of registration irregularities such as signing for another Club/Team whilst registered with another Club/Team in the Competition will have their registration suspended by the league for a maximum of 28 days.

 

8/8        Any Team requesting further player registration forms above the initial 20 can obtain them from the registrations secretary at a cost of £5:00 per additional form.

 

8/9        With reference to mandatory rule 8 (L), having designated a team “A” or “B” a club may have the team referred to as “Tigers, Vultures” etc. as long as it is acceptable to the league, for purposes of publication of fixtures etc.

 

8/10      Any player found guilty of an offence by their clubs parent county that the management committee deem Undesirable Conduct will have their registration cancelled.

 

            Examples of severe incidents of Undesirable Conduct are?

 

            Threatening behaviour, Assault or attempted assault on/to Match Officials during the course of representing any Team the player is registered with irrespective of the competition.

 

            Continued Misconduct during the course of representing any Team the player is registered with irrespective of the competition.(This is to encompass a player sent off on more than 3 occasions in a season)

 

            Spitting at or on any person on or around the field off play the course of representing any Team the player is registered with irrespective of the competition.

 

            Head butting incident during the course of representing any Team the player is registered with irrespective of the competition.

 

            Any Racially motivated comments and/or Actions deemed to be racially motivated during the course of representing any Team the player is registered with irrespective of the competition.

 

                

CLUB COLOURS.  CLUB NAME

 

9.         (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 23rd July each season 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 its opponents at least (4) Four days before the match.

 

            If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the home team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £10:00.

 

            The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. Shirts must be numbered.

 

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

 

PLAYING SEASON.  CONDITIONS OF PLAY

 

TIMES OF KICK-OFF.  POSTPONEMENTS.  SUBSTITUTES

 

10.        (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules.  No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date.  Original fixtures arranged by the (Fixtures) Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 31st May, 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 too 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 £10:00 and the Management Committee or the (Fixtures) Secretary shall arrange that Club’s fixtures.