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THE BROCH GROUP MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE LEAGUE RULES NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION (Any reference to ‘the League’ or ‘League’ contained within the following rules, refers to the Broch Group Mid-Essex Football League only and NO other competition) 1.a This Competition shall be designated the MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE and known as THE BROCH GROUP MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE and shall consist of not more than 100 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs. As 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 Essex County Football Association. The criteria for the Competition Membership shall be that Member Clubs shall have grounds or headquarters situated within the County of Essex. This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Essex County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 16 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 i.e. Essex Junior Cup or Essex Junior Trophy only) except with the written consent of the Management Committee All clubs may enter their first or reserve team in the appropriate County F.A. Cup Competition b. The League Management Committee shall have the power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this rule shall take precedence over Rule 12. The subject of all such decisions shall be reported to all Clubs within 7 days, and if so requested by a simple majority of the member clubs a Special General Meeting shall be called to consider the Management Committee’s decision. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEDPOSIT 2.a. Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary not later than April 30th in each year and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £50.00, 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 compulsory transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable. b. The Annual Subscription shall be £60.00 per team payable on or before the 30th June in each year. The fees to include League subscriptions, handbooks and registration forms. Each team will be provided with 25 registration forms. Clubs failing to do so shall be fined £10.00. c. A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee and Annual Subscription have been paid. Any Club in default shall be fined £10.00 for each match so played and forfeit all points/honours gained for such matches. d. Clubs must advise annually to the Hon. Secretary in writing by the 30th June of its Essex County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00. Clubs must advise the Hon. Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition, within 14 days of the Annual General Meeting. Clubs failing to comply shall be fined £10.00. OFFICERS3. The Officers of the League shall be the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Registration and Results Secretaries, Hon. Fixture Secretaries, Hon. Publicity Secretary, Hon. Referee’s Appointment Secretary, Hon. Assistant Referee’s Appointment Secretary, to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not officers). MANAGEMENT: NOMINATION: ELECTION4.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 six members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Elected members shall not be permitted to appoint a deputy to act in their absence. 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 Hon. Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 30th April 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 the 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 Hon. 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. f. Clubs are not required to provide specifically named League delegates, but must arrange to be represented by such reputable persons as is necessary, when summoned to do so. POWERS OF THE MANAGEMENT5.a. The Management Committee shall annually appoint such other sub-committees and delegate such of their powers. The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. b. Subject to the permission of the Essex 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). Whilst such a matter is under discussion the Chairman has the authority to ask the member to leave the meeting until after the vote has been taken. This principle shall apply to the procedure of any 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 the powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where 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 days. f. Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition. g. The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have the power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number. h. A club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee within 14 days of receipt of notice of such order or within 7 days of an operative date specified in that order, 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 (unless otherwise ordered). Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule shall be fined a further penalty of £10.00 for each outstanding unpaid/late fine or be liable to 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 their membership of the Competition between the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season. l. Clubs or individuals summoned to attend before the Management Committee or Special Meetings must arrange to be represented. Failure to attend will result in the matter being decided in their absence and shall also be liable to such further penalties as the Management Committee may impose. m. Any Club failing to be represented at a League Council or General Meeting shall be fined £30.00 and failing to be represented at three consecutive meetings without satisfactory reasons being given shall be further dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. The £30.00 fine shall also be levied in cases where a Club has been instructed to be represented at a MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE meeting and has failed to send a delegate, after being given not less than seven days notice. 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 20 Members are present and entitled to vote: - i. To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting which may be read if requested by the majority of the members. ii. To consider any business arising there from iii. To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts and Standing Orders iv. Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee) v. Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing season vi. Election of Officers and Management Committee vii. Appointment of Auditors viii. Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given) ix. Fix date for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season x. Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting. b. A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least seven days prior to the meeting, and to the Essex County Football Association. The financial year of the League shall end on the 30th April. c. A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Essex County Football Association within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting. c. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting. d. Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being conducted or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall only vote on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17. e. All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by at least one third of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides. f. 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. g. Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £30.00. Failing to be represented at three consecutive meetings without satisfactory reason being given shall be further dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. h. Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Annual General Meetings. 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 within 14 days of the Annual General Meeting: - “ 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 herby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into Membership, conform to those rules and regulations and to accept, abide 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 Essex County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Hon. Secretary of the Competition. (Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members). QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS8.a Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition. b. A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:- (i) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Hon. Registration Secretary prior to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing. (note Clubs should satisfy themselves of the true identity of players i.e. driving license etc, before submitting Registration Forms to the League for authorisation). The delivery of the completed Registration Form to the address of the appropriate Hon. Registration Secretary prior to the match in which the player takes part does NOT make the player eligible for that match. (ii) 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 Hon. Registration Secretary within 2 days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the match. The player shall not again play until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil or an email confirming his registration has been received. A maximum of TWO players may be registered in this way. Incorrectly completed Registration forms so received by the Hon. Registration Secretary will be returned to the Clubs as NOT REGISTRERED. All such corrected forms represented for registration MUST be accompanied with a self addressed stamped envelope for return. Clubs in default shall be fined £5.00. Clubs must submit at least eight completed registration forms per team to the Hon. Registration Secretary by no later than 20th August of the current season. Clubs in default shall be fined £30.00 per team in default. c. 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. No Club shall withhold a clearance from a player without giving written notice as to the reasons for so doing to its League’s Hon. Registration Secretary and to the player concerned, within seven days of receipt of application. The Management Committee, shall, at their discretion, decide as to the player’s liability. d. Additional registration forms may be obtained from the Hon. Registration Secretary on prepayment of 50p per form and requested in a minimum number of five. Only forms issued for the current season are valid. A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed with any form submitted for signature. Photocopies are not acceptable. e. The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Hon. Registration Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration. f. 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. Such player shall be deemed guilty of misconduct, and shall be liable to disqualification from all League games, see Rule 8 (h). (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 willfully neglected to accurately or fully complete. In the event of a player signing a registration form for more than one Club in this Competition in the same season his registration will be automatically suspended pending the decision of the Management Committee. The player may be disqualified from all League games, fined not more than £5.00 and further dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. g. (i) The Management Committee shall have the 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 proved guilty of registration irregularities (Subject to Rule 16.) (ii) The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16). Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident or 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 Essex County Football Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute). h. Subject to the Football Association Rules dealing with players without written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Hon. Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. Such transfer shall be referred by the Hon. Registration Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Hon. Registration 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 consent within seven days, the Hon. Registration Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for his new Club upon receipt of the transfer form counterfoil from the Hon. Registration Secretary. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision. Except by special permission of the Management Committee no player shall be allowed more than one transfer during the season. i. A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the second Saturday of March except by special permission of the Management Committee. j. A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee. k. A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Hon. Registration 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. l. A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12 (a)) unless the player has played three games for that team in this Competition in the current season. m. Any Club playing in Division One (1) or Lower shall NOT include in any one game more than three (3) players who are of a senior status. A player who has played six (6) or more games in a higher division is of senior team status. A player of senior team status retains that status until he has played six (6) consecutive games in a lower division. When he ha splayed six (6) consecutive games in a lower division he will revert to lower division status until such time as he has played a further six (6) games in a higher division, not necessarily consecutively. n. (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 shall be fined not less than £10.00 and not more than £50.00 in respect of each player concerned. (ii) In addition the team may have further 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 shall 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. o. Registration verification. Immediately prior to the commencement of any match all Members of the Management Committee, unless the Club they represent are involved in the fixture are authorised to have any team(s) complete a Registration Sheet giving the full names of all participating players and substitutes. In the presence of the Officer each player will sign the sheet alongside his name. This Registration Sheet will be countersigned by the team captain or manager and the Officer concerned will forward it to the Hon. Registration Secretary within 72 hours of the end of the game. The Hon. Registration Secretary will verify all players’ signatures and report as necessary to the Management Committee. Any Club providing an incorrect or incomplete Registration Sheet shall be deemed guilty of serious misconduct and shall be fined a sum not exceeding £50.00 and may be struck out of the competition. CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME9.a. Every Club must register the colour of its shirts, shorts and socks, with the Hon. Secretary by 30th June who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish then 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 five 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 Hon. Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of disguising colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts, shorts and socks as they think fit. Shirts must be numbered for recognition purposes by the match officials. Clubs in default of this section of the rule shall be fined £10.00. b. Any Club wishing to change its name and /or colours must obtain permission from the Essex 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 Hon. Fixture Secretaries, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 30th June, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting. If a team is unable to play on any particular Saturday during the season they must give a minimum of eight weeks written notice to the Hon. Fixture Secretaries. Failure to comply with such instruction will deem the team to be in breach of rule 10.f. b. All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board. Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a payable 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 the power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have the power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. All matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 60 minutes, 30 minutes each way) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the Referee prior to commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined £10.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. The Kick-off time in all Saturday matches shall be 2pm Evening matches must kick-off no later than 6.30pm Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition and inform the team captain, or other club official, of the team at fault of his intention to do so. The Referee’s report shall include the name of the person notified. Clubs so informed by the Referee shall send an explanation, in writing, within SEVEN days to the League Hon. Secretary. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play (which must be delivered to the Referee in his dressing room prior to the match) and the Referee shall report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets which shall be suitably anchored to the ground and regulation corner posts 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 Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Hon. Fixture Secretaries. The fixtures shall be arranged by the Hon. Fixture Secretaries, who shall make all fixtures for Saturdays during the season and also for such mid-week evenings at the end of the season as may be necessary. The Hon. Fixture Secretaries shall have full authority to arrange and re-arrange all fixture dates at his own discretion. Clubs will receive fixtures on a monthly basis, in advance. d. The Secretary of the HOME club must give notice by telephone of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off, and means of reaching the ground to the Referee, and the Secretary of the opposing club (giving the name of the Referee), at least FOUR DAYS prior to the playing of the match (messages MUST NOT be left on an answer phone, PERSONAL CONTACT ONLY). 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 of this Rule is not to interfere with the 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. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the 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 shall be fined £10.00 for each missing player. A minimum of eight 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, for ANY reason, unless with the permission of the League Management Committee, as per Rule 10(b) and 10(c), the Management Committee shall have the power to inflict a fine not exceeding £50.00,deduct points from the defaulting Club, award points to the opponents, or the match may be re-arranged, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents, this also includes any traveling expenses incurred by the opponents, this also includes any traveling expenses incurred, or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Should this occur after the 31st March the maximum fine shall be £100.00 Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have the power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfill its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team Reserve Team A Team Any Club who are charged with a breach in this rule, the Management Committee shall have the power to inflict a fine not exceeding £25.00, deduct points from the defaulting club and award points to the opponents. Any Club unable to fulfill a fixture must, without delay, give notice to: League Hon. Fixture Secretaries League Hon. Referees Appointment Secretary League Hon. Publicity Secretary Opposing Club Hon. Fixture Secretary (messages MUST NOT be left on an answer phone, PERSONAL CONTACT ONLY) Appointed Referee Any Club failing to notify ALL of these Officials shall be fined £10.00 in respect of EACH Official not so informed. The Management Committee will have the power to impose such larger penalties, up to a maximum of £30.00, on Clubs repeatedly in default of this rule. Notice in writing of the postponed/abandoned or unplayed match must be sent by the home club unless default is with the visiting club, then by both clubs, to the Hon. Secretary within 72 hours of the match in question. Any club failing to comply shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 (This does not apply to matches cancelled or postponed due to weather conditions). 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 Hon. Fixture Secretaries within seven days the Management Committee shall have the power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. The only exception to this shall be where a match is postponed due to there being no official referee available and no referee nominated in accordance with Rule 13(b). In this instance the Management Committee shall be empowered to award points and fine any club deemed to have been the cause of the postponement, up to a maximum of £50.00 The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in a cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, 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 is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action, as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the Essex County Football Association. g. A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use three substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five players. A player who has been selected , appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of the Competition. The Referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes by means of being given the WHITE COPY of the Team Sheet in his dressing room not later than 15 minutes before the start of the match. Defaulting Clubs shall be reported by the Referee and shall be fined £5.00 for each separate offence. (Note: Unnamed Substitutes SHALL NOT be allowed to participate in a match) Substitutes MAY act as Assistant Referees prior to their participation in a match. h. The half time interval shall be a minimum of 5 minutes duration. With the agreement of the Referee these periods may be amended, but must not exceed 15 minutes. i. Clubs are required to complete a multi-coloured Team Sheet showing Surname, Christian Name and Shirt Number, in Block Capitals of participating players and substitutes, PRIOR TO THE MATCH: (BOTH TEAMS) PINK COPY to your opponents, in their dressing room 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off. Defaulting Clubs shall be reported and shall be fined £10.00 for each separate offence. No player shall enter the field of play unless their name appears on the team sheet handed to the Referee and opponents. In the event of a Club or Official questioning the individual identity of a player of the opposing team listed on the Team Sheet and/or playing, they shall IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MATCH request that the player signs the Team Sheet handed to the Referee in his presence. Clubs shall be responsible for their players actions and any refusal to complete this action, when requested will deem the offending player and the Club guilty of misconduct. If any irregulatory is found, the matter will be dealt with by the League Management Committee as provided by the Rules of this Competition on player eligibility (Rule 8.n.). any Club submitting an incorrect Team Sheet may be shall be fined £20.00. j. At the end of the playing season the Management Committee shall review any unplayed games and shall take such action as they consider appropriate in respect of allocation or otherwise of points to the Clubs concerned. REPORTING RESULTS 11.a Each club must send either by EMAIL, first class post, personal delivery or by facsimile, on the form provided, the result of each League, League Cup or League Knock-Out Cup match and the names of the goal scorers to the League Hon. Results Secretary, also stating the Registration Number, Christian and Surnames of the players taking part. This MUST BE RECEIVED by the Hon. Results Secretary by no later than Tuesday morning in respect of Saturday matches. For evening matches within 4 days of the conclusion of the match. Clubs in default will be fined £10.00. Clubs shall list all players and substitutes who have actually played. If no substitute actually played the word “NONE” should be written in the appropriate box. Result sheets MUST correspond to those named on the team sheet given to the match Referee, see Rule 10(i). Clubs in default shall be fined £10.00 and the Hon. Result Secretary shall report all clubs to the Management Committee who may impose such further penalties on clubs who are repeatedly in default of this rule. The Management Committee’s decision on any question of eligibility SHALL BE FINAL (subject to appeal, as referred to in Rule 16). DO NOT send in result sheets for abandoned matches, which are considered void. b. Result sheets that are not correctly completed, as per Rule 11(a), and signed by a responsible official of the Club, will be RETURNED to the Club by the League Hon. Results Secretary for amendment, and the date of receipt of the correctly completed form will be used to determine the 4 day default period in Rule 11(a). The Management Committee shall have the power to impose such larger penalties (up to a maximum of £30.00) on Clubs repeatedly in default of this Rule. c. The Home Club MUST telephone the result of all League, League Cup or League Knock-Out Cup matches, and the name of all goal scorers to the League Hon. Publicity Secretary as soon after the end of the match as possible, but not later than 7pm (9pm for evening matches) on the day of the match. In County Cup Competitions both the HOME AND AWAY Clubs are required to telephone the result. Defaulting Clubs shall be fined £10.00. In the event of a Club defaulting on more than THREE occasions in any one season the Club shall be fined £20.00. Clubs defaulting on more the FIVE occasions in any one season shall be fined £30.00. Information of all cancelled or postponed matches must be telephoned to the Hon. Publicity Secretary, see Rule 10(f). DETERMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 12.a. Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion of the season shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. In the event of two or more Clubs being equal on points for any position in any of the League Tables at the close of the Competition, goal difference shall decide. In the event of two or more clubs being equal on both points and goal difference for any position in any of the League Tables at the close of the Competition, the number of goals scored shall decide. In the event of two or more clubs being level on points, goal difference, and the number of goals scored for an important position at the close of the Competition, a deciding match shall be played under conditions arranged by the Management Committee. b. Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division, 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 teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated (ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season may be filled on any of the following ways: a) Retention of otherwise relegated team(s) b) Additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below c) election (iii) The last two teams in the lowest Division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of paragraph (b) (1) above. (iv) When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower Division; and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition. (v) Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the Divisions have its senior team in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned. c. In the event of a Club not completing 75 per cent of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Club shall be expunged from the League table. Where a Club has completed 75 per cent of its fixtures the points for any unplayed games shall be awarded to the defaulting Club’s opponents. REFEREES 13.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. Appointments need NOT be acknowledged, unless to indicate non-acceptance. b. In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee or in cases where there is no officially appointed Referee, or where the Competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the home club shall appoint a suitable person to referee the match. If the home club is unable to nominate such a person, the away club shall have a choice. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee and provided the game be played to a finish and in accordance with these Rules, it shall rank as a League fixture. All match officials are expected to arrive at the ground 30 minutes before the appointed kick-off time. 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 no appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £15.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team. 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. e. Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge £25.00 for all Divisions, which includes fees and expenses. An Assistant Referee appointed by the League shall be entitled to charge £10.00; which includes fees and expenses, subject to any limits laid down by the Essex County Football Association. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees before / immediately after the match in his own dressing room. Clubs in default of this Rule shall be fined £10.00 for each offence. 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 full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee. This shall be paid by the home club and if the visiting club is in default they will repay this amount to the home club within seven days, via the League Hon. Treasurer. g. A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have the fact reported to the Association with which he 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 League Hon. Registration Secretary on the Result Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £10.00. Total marks shall be awarded from 1 to 100 (see Notes to Secretaries). The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and on the form provided and by the prescribed date each season shall submit a summary to the Essex County Football Association. i. The Referee shall submit a Result Sheet giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off, and any misconduct during the match to the League Hon. Disciplinary Secretary within four days of the match. j. Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge. WITHDRAWAL OF CLUB 14.a. After 31st December in the current season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the League must notify the League Hon. Secretary in writing by 31st March each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £150.00. b. A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £150.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(b) c. The constitution for the coming season having been decided at the Annual General Meeting held not later than June 30th, the League shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions of 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. e. Any club making an application to enter another League must inform the League Hon. Secretary, in writing, BEFORE such an application is made. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £150.00. f. 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 such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order. PROTEST: DEPOSITS AND APPEALS 15.a. (i) All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretations of the rules of the Competition shall be referred to the Management Committee. (ii) Objection(s) 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 a protest with the Referee and not proceeding with the same shall be deemed guilty of breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee. b. Except in cases where the Management Committee decide 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 League Hon. 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 either 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 League Hon. Secretary a sum of £10.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have the power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or 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 offered an opportunity of making a statement when the protest 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 avoid the protest or complaint. A copy of the appeal must be sent to the League Hon. Secretary and the operation of the decision made by the League shall not be suspended pending the result of the appeal unless the Board of Appeal or the Council of the Essex County Football Association, through its Officers, orders such suspension. BOARD OF APPEAL 16.a 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 Essex County Football Association, including a fee as specified in the current Essex County Football Association Rule book, 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. b. Any Club Official or Member proved guilty of misconduct or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the League to join them, shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as the General Meeting, League Council or Management Committee may decide and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provision in clause (a) above. (This misconduct referred to is not in respect of misconduct on the field of play). EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, OFFICIALS OR PLAYERS 17.a. At the Annual General Meeting or, Special General Meeting called for the purpose, 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 upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. 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 whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. 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 Club Official or Member 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 in clause (a) and (b) of this Rule. d. Any club or team failing to complete 75 per cent of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the majority of the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise) be debarred from membership the following season. e. Club Officers, Committee Members, Managers, Players and persons acting in an official capacity for a Club must refrain from public critiscm of Match Officials, Member Clubs or Management Committee in the media, club programmes, newsletters etc. Failure to comply will result in action being taken by the Management Committee. TROPHY: LEGAL OWNERS: MEDALS: CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER TROPHY: AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED 18.a. If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the sanctioning Association may decide. b. The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or trophy: - “We A……………………………… and B ………………………………………., The Chairman and Secretary of …………………………………………………………….. F.C. members of and representing the Club, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby, on behalf of the said Club, jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy, to the League Hon. Secretary on or before the Half-Yearly Meeting. If the Club or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to refund the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.” Clubs failing to return League trophies by the date stipulated in this rule shall be fined £20.00 for each trophy not so returned. b. The League will provide eighteen (18) players trophies for the Champions and runners up in each Division. These are to be distributed at the Clubs discretion. SPECIAL MEETINGS 19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership, the Hon. Secretary shall 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. Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £50.00. Officers and Management Committee Members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings. ALTERATION OF RULES 20. Alterations shall be made in 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 League Hon. Secretary by 1st February in each year. Such proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee shall be circulated to the Clubs by 15th February and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the League Hon. Secretary by 28th February. After approval by the Essex County Football Association, 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 or more of those present and entitled to vote are in favour. Proposed alterations submitted by Clubs shall detail both the proposing and seconding Club. Any proposals made without a seconding Club shall not be considered. Proposed alterations to the Rules to be considered at a Special General Meeting shall be circulated with the notice of the meeting and proposed amendments may be made and voted upon at the meeting. Two copies of the Rules adopted by the Competition shall be submitted to the Essex County Football Association seven days after the date of the meeting. Any alterations or additions decide upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Essex County Football Association 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 to abide by the decision of the Management Committee, subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct. FINANCE 22.a The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition be lodged. b. All expenditure in excess of £100, shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers from three nominated by the Management Committee. c. The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April. d. The books or a certified balance sheet, of the Competition shall be prepared and shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. STANDING ORDERS 1. The Headquarters of the League shall be GREAT BADDOW COMMUNITY CENTRE, BADDOW ROAD, GREAT BADDOW, CHELMSFORD. 2. The Management Committee shall meet at least once a month during the season. Members will only be advised of any cancellations of meetings. Five members will form a quorum. 3. A member shall not in any circumstances, be allowed to vote at any Management or League Council Meeting on any matter relating to the Club of which he is a Member. In the event of any dispute or protest the representatives of the Clubs concerned shall not be eligible to sit on the League Council or Management Committee while such dispute or protest is being considered. 4. All matters shall be determined by a show of hands unless a formal division is demanded or in the opinion of the meeting, it is desirable that the voting on any particular point or subject be conducted by ballot. A resolution shall not be rescinded at the meeting of the League Council or Management Committee at which it is passed, unless the motion of rescind is carried by a three-quarters majority of the members present and voting. 5. Whenever an amendment is made upon any motion a second amendment shall not be taken into consideration until the first amendment is disposed of. If that amendment is carried, it shall then be put as a substantive motion upon which a further amendment may be moved. If the amendment is rejected a further amendment may be moved to the original motion, but only one amendment shall be submitted for discussion at one time. 6. The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint Sub-Committees when necessary and may delegate all or any of its powers to any such Sub-Committee as may be appointed. MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUECUP COMPETITION 1. The Cup shall be designated the “Mid-Essex Football League Cup Competition” and shall consist of not less than ten Clubs. 2. The Competition shall be conducted on a knock-out basis as determined by the League Management Committee and shall be open to Clubs in membership. The Competition shall be affiliated to the Essex County Football Association 3. All TEAMS shall enter the Cup Competition, however a Club may be debarred from the Competition if found guilty of gross misconduct. The entrance fee shall be included in the Annual Subscription per League rule 2.b. 4. The competition shall be managed by the League Management Committee. 5. Players shall be registered in the Mid-Essex Football League and must be bona-fide members of the Club they represent and shall have played (except in the first and second rounds of the Competition) for such Club in at least THREE Mid-Essex Football League competitive matches (these include the first, second round League Cup, The David Strachan League Knock-Out Cup Competition and League matches, but shall NOT include any County Cup, friendly or representative matches) during the current season. In all ties no player shall have played for more than one Club in any of the current season’s League Cup or David Strachan League Knock-Out Cup matches. A player who has played in Division 1,2,3,4 and 5, Cup Competition may in the same season play for the same Club in a higher Division. Any player who has played in either Premier, Division 1,2,3, and 4, cannot play in a lower Division. Any Club playing an ineligible player(s) may be fined a not less than £10.00 and not more than £50.00 in respect of each player concerned, and shall be struck out of the Competition, in which case the match shall be awarded to their opponents. 6. Referees for all matches and Assistant Referees for the semi finals (if available) and Final, shall be appointed by the League Honorary Referees’ Appointment Secretary. In matches prior to the final, neutral Assistant Referees may be appointed (see League Rule 13(e), if not each Club shall provide an efficient assistant referee for the whole game. The Home Club shall pay the Referee (see League Rule 13(e). The away club must pay the home club fifty percent (50%) of the payment made to the match officials only. Payment must be made by the away club on the day of the match. When Assistant Referees are appointed for the Semi-Finals the fees and expenses will be shared by both competing Clubs. In all cases, the monies due shall be paid to official’s before/immediately after the match in their own dressing room. Clubs in default of this Rule shall be fined £10.00 for each offence. 7. The draw shall be made by the Management Committee, who will also fix grounds and dates by which the ties shall be played. In all ties, the duration of play shall be ninety minutes (45 minutes each way), but in the event of the scores being equal at the expiration of ninety minutes, an extra thirty minutes (15 minutes each way) shall be played, subject to the provision that in the opinion of the Referee light or conditions will not permit full time to be played he may (a) reduce the playing period to forty minutes each way and the extra periods to ten minutes each way, or (b) reduce extra time to ten minutes each way. At the Referee’s discretion he may dispense with extra time. If the scores are still equal at the end of extra time, the match shall be decided by a penalty competition in conformance with current rules of the Football Association. Should bad light prevent the operation of this rule in full a coin shall be tossed by the Referee to decide the winner. Each game shall be decided on the day. 8. The time of Kick-off shall be 1.30pm. for all games prior to the final. Clubs may mutually agree upon earlier times, but results shall be telephoned by the time stipulated in Rule 11© as if the match had commenced at the normal time specified above. 9. Each team will receive sixteen (16) players’ trophies for presentation to the eleven (11) players and five (5) substitutes taking part in the final tie. 10. With the exceptions above stated, the Rules of the Mid-Essex Football League shall, where applicable govern the competition. 11. Team colours and details of players and Club history as required for the programme must be supplied to the Hon. League Secretary 7 days prior to the final. Clubs failing to do so shall be fined the sum of £10.00. In the event of the two finalists having the same or similar colours, the decision as to which team shall change will be determined by the toss of a coin. The Management Committee will inform the Clubs of the outcome seven days prior to the date of the final. Clubs playing in a Divisional Cup Final must submit in writing to the Hon. Registration Secretary (Registrations) at least 72 hours before the day of the final, the names of players (not exceeding 16) from whom their team will be selected. Any Club failing to comply shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 |
