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THE BROCH GROUP
MID-ESSEX
Season 2009-20010 Hon. Secretary A.M. CHAPLIN midessexsec@gmail.com www.midessex.com
Important dates for your diary Mid-Essex Football League Trophy Braintree & Bocking United F.C. v Byfleet Rangers F.C. Date, Venue and Kick-off to be confirmed Essex County Football Association County Cup Dates for Season 2009-2010 Essex Junior Cup Preliminary Round 26th September 2009 First Round 24th October 2009 Second Round 21st November 2009 Third Round 12th December 2009 Fourth Round 16th January 2010 Fifth Round 13th February 2010 Semi Final 6th March 2010 Essex Junior TrophyPreliminary Round 26th September 2009 First Round 24th October 2009 Second Round 21st November 2009 Third Round 12th December 2009 Fourth Round 16th January 2010 Fifth Round 6th February 2010 Semi Final 27th February 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTSForeword of season 2008-2009 Officers for the season 2009-2010 Rules Nomenclature, Constitution, Applications, Subscriptions Management Committee; Officers, Nomination, Election Powers of Management Committee Annual General Meeting Agreement to be signed Qualification of Players: Rule 8 Club Colours and Name Playing Season: Rule 10.a Unfulfilled Fixtures: Rule 10.g Result Sheet Determining Championships Referees Withdrawal of Clubs Protests: Deposit & Appeals Trophies: Ownership, Agreement, Medals Special Meetings Alterations to Rules Rules binding on Clubs Finance Standing Orders League Cup Rules League Knock Out Cup Rules Notes to Referees Notes to Secretaries Sportsmanship Award Rules Mid-Essex League Trophy Constitution for Season 2009-2010 Directory of Clubs for Season 2009-2010 Honors for Season 2008-2009 Final League Tables season 2008-2009 Previous Honors League Cup Draw Knock-Out Cup Draw Panel of Referees The Broch Group Mid-Essex Football League (affiliated to the Essex County Football Association) Patron and Life Member: J.A Leadbitter President: B. Brimacombe Life Members: L.A.Liddle F.Monck W. Potten Headquarters Great Baddow Community Centre Baddow Road Great Baddow Chelmsford CM2 7RA
1. Half Yearly Full Council Meeting: all Clubs: Wednesday 13th January 2010
2. Annual General Meeting: Wednesday 9th June 2010
FORWORD JUNE 2009
Once again the competition was hit with a number of withdrawals which saw Divisions One and Two hit hardest. Breaches were again a feature of the season, fines are not working and conscious of the state of the economy we must look to other measures in which to penalise Teams. Great Baddow Reserves were the class act of Division Five and were always in control. They were the League’s highest goalscorers netting 120 goals on their way to the League title. Not content with the League title they took on Beacon Hill Rovers A in the League Cup final and despite going a goal behind ran out 3-1 victors therefore claiming the double. The competition for the runners-up spot came down to 3 teams. White Hart United eventually secured that position seeing off Durning and Tillingham Hotspur Reserves who will rue fixture breaches one of which handed White Hart those 3 precious points to pip them to second place. Durning also topped the 100 goal mark, with Tillingham falling one short. Frenford Senior B were long time pace setters in Division Four but with games in hand the destiny of the League title was always in the hands of Braintree and Bocking United Reserves. The final league table shows that they won the League title by 6 points to cap a wonderful season for the club but it was much closer than that. For the second year running Little Waltham Reserves saw themselves promoted just pipping Frenford by one point. Byfleet Rangers Reserves sneaked through late on to pinch the last available promotion place. Surprisingly despite their dominance in the League none of these teams contested the League Cup final which saw Battlesbridge Reserves take on Beacon Hill Rovers Reserves. A penalty at the mid point of the first half was enough to see Battlesbridge lift the trophy, and Beacon Hill seeing both their sides in the final having to accept the runners up medals. It was not until the last week of the season that the Division Three title was decided. Brendans and St. Margarets had been swapping top spot but Battlesbridge had the games in hand to forge ahead of these two and take the title. With a tight schedule Battlesbridge began to falter and that opened the door for new boys Shenfield Hollands. Battlesbridge just hand enough in the locker to secure the title but only on goal difference when the dust had settled they had effectively scored 6 more goals than Shenfield who had to settle for runners-up. Within Battlesbridge’s busy schedule was the League Cup final that saw them take on Sungate. It was goalless at half time but Sungate got themselves in front early in the second half and with Battlesbridge having only 9 players on the park at the time with players receiving attention and having made all of their substitutions Sungate extended their lead and so lifted the Cup. Division Two was decimated by withdrawals which left the division with only 10 teams. It was effectively a two horse race here. Scotia Billericay Reserves had gone through the entire season unbeaten but came up against Manford Way Reserves who themselves had only been defeated once. With Manford Way completing the double offer their close rivals that was enough to secure the Division Two Championship. An administration error however let the door open for Scotia Billericay to win the Division Two League Cup having been defeated by Manford Way in the semi final. Here they took on their long time rivals Great Baddow. 3 first half goals were enough to lift the Cup for the Billericay side despite Baddow securing a consolation goal in the second half Division One was a keenly contested Division. Effectively it came down to 3 Teams and it was Byfleet Rangers who won the race to the tile seeing off both Focus Ferrers who eventually finished runners up and Rhodesia United who just failed in their attempts to secure promotion to the top flight. League form went out of the window when it came to the Cup as Marconi Athletic took on Sparta Basildon. Two first half goals were enough for the Chelmsford based side to secure the trophy. Having seen their Reserves lift the championship Braintree and Bocking United first eleven were not to be out done. Having been promoted the previous season in fourth place no one would have thought that they would win the title, but they did. For the second season running Scotia Billericay had to settle for the runners up spot. A new name on the League Cup was assured as Silver End United and Little Waltham fought for the League Cup. Liitle Waltham took the lead within 9 seconds but could not hold to that early advantage and a game that ebbed and flowed saw Silver End secure the trophy. The Dave Strachan Knock-Out Trophy once again threw up some suprises. Durning from Division 5 reached the quarter fianls and Byfleet Rangers had seen off Premier Division opposition in Harold wood Athletic and Scotia Billericay to take on another Premier side Silver End United in the final. A tense game saw the Division One side victorious by a single goal. It was Harold Wood Athletic who lifted the Fred Brooks memorial Mid-Essex League Trophy a game that was finally played at the third attempt. The Laegue’s participation in the Junior Cup came to an end at the quarter final stage however with three representatives in the quarter final of the Junior Trophy we had hopes of a team from this competition at least marching on to the final. Tillingham Hotspur and Rhodesia United never went beyond the quarter finals but Scotia Billericay Res. were handed a final spot following a competition breach gave them and their opponents Real Ravensdale a bye through to the final. Missed opportunities meant that Scotia lost the game 2-1 A new name on the Sportsmanship Trophy with Wickham Royals F.C lifting the trophy. Last year’s recipient Durning were awarded a certificate as were Mundon Vics who have won the award themselves on 3 separate occasions. Perry Reed was awarded The Bill Hawkes Trophy as Referee of the year. The Representative side retained the David Marshall Trophy with a 2-0 victory over The Pope and Smith League which also saw a further significant sum of money raised and handed over to the Moulsham Grange Childrens Centre Despite the withdrawals a number of new teams applied. We welcome back Broomfield F.C. after a period of absence as well as Swan Mead, Latchingdon, Sporting Brentwood, St,Clere’s and Maldon St. Mary in addition to the 3 additional teams from existing members. Sadly Derek Jones passed away during the season a sad loss to a great servant to this competition over many years As we embark on our 112th season in existence with the success of our league and the continued dedication of our existing committee members the League continues to go from strength to strength.
Andy Chaplin Hon. Secretary
Officers for the season 2009/2010 Chairman: S. (Stuart) Rose “Shalamar” , Struan Avenue, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 8DG Tel : 01375 670160 stuartrose@iname.com Vice Chairman: C. (Chris) Hearn, 18 Surman Crescent, Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex CM13 2PP. Tel: 01277 260324 MEL_TREASURER@sky.com Hon. Secretary: A.M. (Andy) Chaplin, 8, Abraham Drive, Silver End, Witham, Essex CM8 3SP Tel: 01376 584719 Fax: 01376 585620 midessexsec@gmail.com Hon. Treasurer: C. (Chris) Hearn, 18 Surman Crescent, Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex CM13 2PP. Tel: 01277 260324 chrishearn@brocksparkwood.fsnet.co.uk Hon. Registration Secretary: G. (Gary) Brooks Broch Group Ltd, PO Box 2081, Rochford, Essex, SS4 9AP Tel: 0870 879 3070 (m) 07786 512187 gary.brooks@brochsolid.com Hon. Results Secretary: A.M Chaplin (Andy) Chaplin, 8, Abraham Drive, Silver End, Witham, Essex CM8 3SP Tel: 01376 584719 Hon. Referee Appointment Secretary: Bob Hurrell, 20, Oxlip Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2XY Tel: 01376 520993 Assistant Referee Appointment Secretary: John Burdett 102 Maldon Road Gt.Baddow Chelmsford CM2 7DH Tel: 07713 396588 Hon. Fixture Secretary: Premier, Div.1, 2 and 3 K. (Ken) Pearce, 104 Longstomps Avenue, Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 9LB Tel: 01245 251382 Div 4 and 5 P. (Paul) Cram 122 Pollards Green, Chelmsford, CM2 6UL Tel: 01245 496248 (m) 07931 358920 Hon. Publicity Secretary: Gordon Harvey 36 Granger Avenue, Maldon, CM9 6AN Tel: 01621 855907 Hon. Auditors: J.Leadbitter and F.Monck. Representative Team Managers
Management Committee
Management Meetings
Interview and Constitution Evening (new clubs) 11th May 2009 Order of Business The order of business at each Management Committee Meeting will be : 1. Minutes of the previous meeting 2. Business and questions arising thereon. 3. Report of Emergency Committee (if such meeting be convened prior to the date of the Committee Meeting). 4. Correspondence. 5. Breaches 6. Officers Report. 7. Other Business. NB. Where Notices of Motion are intended to be introduced such will be inserted between items 4 & 5.
The League Council to meet as required.
THE BROCH GROUP MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE LEAGUE RULES NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION
1. (A) This Competition shall be designated the Mid Essex Football League and known as The Broch Group Mid Football Essex 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 Essex County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be 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 sixteen in number. Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition. (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 £50.00 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 or 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 payable on or before the 30th June in each year. Clubs failing to do so shall be fined £10.00. (C) Each Club shall 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 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 Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition. OFFICERS3. The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees Secretary, 2 x Fixture Secretary, Results Secretary, Publicity Secretary and Assistant Referees 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. All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by the Association from time to time. (B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 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 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. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association. (B) Subject to the permission of the 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). In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. (D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules by the appropriate Association. (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 fourteen days. (F) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition. (G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have 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 between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season. (L) No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined. 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. (ii) To consider any business arising therefrom. (iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts. (iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee). (v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season. (vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee. (vii) Appointment of Auditors. (viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given). (ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season. (x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting. (B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Essex County Football Association(s). (C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Essex County Football Association(s) within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting. (D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting. (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 one third of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides. (G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club. (H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall fined £30.00. (I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
7. The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete. "We, A, __________________ of _________________________ (Chairman) and B ________________________ of _________________________ (Secretary) of the _________________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Broch Group Mid Essex Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16." Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Essex County Football Association 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). QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS 8. (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 Registrations Secretary two days prior to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing. All completed registration forms must be accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of the counterfoils. Clubs failing to comply will result in a £5.00 fine. Clubs must submit at least 8 completed registration forms per team by the 20th August of the current season. Clubs in default will be fined £30 per team. (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 Registrations Secretary within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the match. The player shall not again play until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil. A maximum of two players may be registered in this way. All completed registration forms must be accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of the counterfoils. Clubs failing to comply will result in a £5.00 (C) Not in use. (D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played. (E) Registration forms shall be obtained from the Registrations Secretary on prepayment of 50p per form. (minimum order 5) (F) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registrations Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration. (G) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:- (i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred. (ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer. (iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete. (H) (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player. (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except those under 18 years of age, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16). (iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered with. (Note: Action under Clause (iii) 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 and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence. (I) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registrations Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. 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 seven days after receipt of such transfer. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision. (J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after second Saturday in March except by special permission of the Management Committee. (K) 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. (L) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only. In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule. (M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played three games for that team in this Competition in the current season. (N) Any Club playing in division one or lower shall not include in any one game more than three players who are of a senior status. For the purposes of this Competition a player who played six (6) or more games in a higher division is of senior status. A player of senior team status retains that status until he has played six (6) consecutive games in a lower division. When he has played 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. (O)(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 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 may at its discretion award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed. (The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):- (P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. (ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues). (iii) To play open age football, the player must have achieved the age of 16. (Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in Football Association Rules will apply.) (Q) Checks on players' eligibility may be carried out by any member of the Management Committee, unless the Club of whom they are a member is involved in the fixture, are authorized to have any team(s) complete a Registration Sheet giving the full name of all participating players and substitutes. In the presence of the Management Committee member each player will sign the sheet alongside his name. Any refusal to complete the sheet when requested will deem the offending 'club member' guilty of misconduct, and they shall be dealt with by the Management Committee as if they were ineligible. This Registration Sheet will be countersigned by the team captain or Manager and the Management Committee member concerned will forward it to the League Registration Secretary within three days. 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. The League Registration Secretary will verify all players’ signatures and any irregularity found in checking the submitted Registration Sheet shall be dealt with by the League Management Committee as provided by the Rules of this Competition. (R) 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 player signs the Pink Copy of the Team Sheet in the presence of his Team Captain or Manager. Clubs shall be responsible for their players actions and any refusal to complete the Sheet, when requested, will deem the offending player and Club guilty of misconduct. If any irregularity 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).
CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAM9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 30th June 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 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 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 must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee. Any Club wishing to change its colours must obtain permission 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 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 Fixture Secretary. Failure to comply with such instruction will deem the team 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 playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 60 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. 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 a sum not exceeding £10.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used. (C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary. (D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least four clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £10.00. (E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. (Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another or lower team. 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 ten players they shall be fined £5.00 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 the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £25.00 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee. Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable. In addition the Competition Publicity Secretary must be notified. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable. This also applies to all postponed or cancelled fixtures. Notice in writing of the postponed, abandoned or unplayed match must be sent by the Home Club unless default is with the Visting 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 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 Fixtures Secretary within five days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match. (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. The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than fifteen minutes before the start of the match. A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition. (H) The half time interval shall be of ten minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee. (I) Clubs are required to complete the multi-coloured Team Sheet showing Surname, Forename and shirt number, in Block Capitals of participating players and substitutes. PRIOR TO THE MATCH: (BOTH TEAMS) PINK COPY to your opponents, and WHITE COPY to the referee in their dressing room at least 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off. Defaulting Clubs shall be reported and shall be fined £10.00 for each separate offence. REPORTING RESULTS11. (A) The Results Secretary must receive within three days of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10.00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide. Clubs shall list all players and substitutes who actually played IN REGISTRATION NUMBER order. If no substitute actually played the word NONE should be written in the appropriate box. (B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match to the Publicity Secretary by 7 p.m. (9 p.m. 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 Team defaulting on more than THREE occasions in any one season the Club shall be fined £20.00. Team defaulting on more that FIVE occasions in any one season the Club shall be fined £30.00. Information of all cancelled or postponed matches MUST be telephoned to the Publicity Secretary, see Rule 10(F) (C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP12. (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 shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings shall be decided in the following ways:- (i) goal difference (ii) goals scored (iii) deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee. (B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b). (i) Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced an equal number of 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) (i) above. (iv) When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower Division; and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition. (v) Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the Divisions have its senior team in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned. (C) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table. Where a team withdraws having completed75% of its fixtures the points for any unplayed games shall be awarded to the defaulting team's opponents. (D) Not in use REFEREES13. (A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s). (B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee. (C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5.00 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 subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play. (E) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 0p per mile and any other permitted expenses actually incurred together with the following match fees:- Referee £30.00, Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £15.00, subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association (currently £30.00 maximum). The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses before or immediately after the match. Clubs in default of this Rule shall be fined £10.00. (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 plus expenses. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses. (G) A Referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she is registered. (H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine. The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association. (I) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the Registration Secretary within two days of the match. (J) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP ORWITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB14. (A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 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 for the following Season. 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 Membership for the coming season having been decided at a Special General Meeting held for that purpose not earlier than 1st June nor later than 30th June or at the Annual General Meeting held not later than 30th June the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements. (D) In the event of a Member Club which is an un-incorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition. In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by 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. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS15. (A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee. (ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee. (B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined. (C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16. (D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £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 power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties. (E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint. BOARD OF APPEAL16. 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 of £35.00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned. No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS.OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS17.(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 which must be supported by more than two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. (B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by more than two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting. (C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule. (D) Any Club or Team failing to complete 75% of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season. TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS. 18. (A) 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 ________________________ FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of _____________________ Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before 31st January. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.” (C) At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit. (D) Clubs failing to return League trophies by the date stipulated in this rule shall be fined £30.00 for each trophy not so returned SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting. The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time. At least seven days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 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. All amendment of Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority. ALTERATION TO RULES20.Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season. Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1st February in each year. The 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 Secretary by 28th February. 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 of those present and entitled to vote are in favour. A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association twenty eight days prior to the date of the meeting. Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS21.Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct. FINANCE22.(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged. (B) All expenditure in excess of £100.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee. (C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April. (D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. (E) Honoraria, if paid, must be agreed at the Annual General Meeting and relate to the season just concluded. The Management Committee shall recommend which Officers may receive honoraria and the level of payment. All the above to be detailed on the AGM paperwork under “Any other business” (Rule 6(A)(x)). 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.b 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 12. Each Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and abide by the decisions of the League Management Committee, subject to Rule 15 of the League Rules. THE TIME OF KICK-OFF IN ALL LEAGUE CUP MATCHES SHALL BE 1.30PM. LEAGUE KNOCK-OUT CUP COMPETITION 1. The Competition shall be designated “The David Strachan Mid-Essex League Knock-Out Cup Competition”. 2. As per M.E.L.Cup Rule 2. 3. Each Member Club in the Premier Division and Divisions One to Five inclusive shall enter one team in the Knock-Out Competition. 4. As per M.E.L. Cup Rule 4. 5. Players must be bona-fide members of the Club, which they represent. They shall be registered for the Club with the Mid-Essex Football League for the season in which the Competition is played. Except in the first, second and third rounds of the Competition players shall have played FIVE or more games in the Mid-Essex Football League Competitions (these include the League Cup, The David Strachan League Knock-Out Cup Competition and League matches, but shall NOT include any County Cup, friendly or representative matches) for the Club for which they are Registered in the current season. A player shall not play for more than one Club in the Competition. Any team playing an ineligible player(s) shall be fined not less than £10.00 and not more than £50.00 on each count and shall be struck out of the Competition. The match will be awarded to their opponents. 6. As per M.E.L. Cup Rule 6. 7. The draw shall be made by the Management Committee. In all matches prior to the Final the home Club shall be determined by the draw. The final will be played on the first Monday in May. Other rounds will be played on dates specified by the Management Committee. Any Club unable to play on the date(s) specified shall be struck out of the Competition and shall be fined a sum not less than £10.00 and not more than £50.00. 8. 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. 9. As per M.E.L. Cup Rule 9. 10. With the exceptions above stated, the Rules of the Mid-Essex Football League shall, wherever applicable, govern this Competition. 11. Team colours and details of players and Club history as required for the programme must be supplied to the 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 the Final Tie must submit in writing to the Hon. Registrations Secretary (Registrations) at least 72 hours before the day of the match the names of the players (not exceeding 16) from whom the team will be selected. Any Club failing to comply shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 12. Each Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing rules and abide by the decisions of the League Management Committee, subject to League Rule 15. MID-ESSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE TROPHY 1.a. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of a fixture between the Premier Division Champions and the winners of the David Strachan K.O.Cup in the previous season. b. If a single Club wins the Premier Division Championship and the David Strachan K.O Cup in the same season then the fixture will be between the Premier Division Champions and the winners of the Premier Division League Cup. c. If a single Club wins the Premier Division Championship, the David Strachan K.O.Cup and the Premier Division League Cup, in the same season then the fixture will be between the Premier Division Champions and the runners up in the Premier Division Championship. d. If either or both Clubs are not members of the Mid-Essex League in the current season the Management Committee shall decide which Clubs shall participate in this game. 2. The date, venue and time of kick-off will be decided by the Management Committee. 3. Players must be registered for the Club with the Mid-Essex League. 4. 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, 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. The game shall be decided on the day. 5. Except as stated above, the relevant Rules of the Mid-Essex League shall apply. NOTES TO REFEREES 1. The result of each match MUST be sent immediately to the Hon. Assistant Referee Secretary of the League, giving time played Reporting ALL LATE STARTS and teams playing short. Where it is necessary to report late starts or short teams the Referee should notify an official of the Club concerned to this effect on the day. This report must also include the names of any players “sent-off” or “cautioned”. Any Club not supplying an assistant Referee in accordance with rule 13(c ) or failing to confirm the fixture in accordance with rule 10(d) must also be reported on the result card. Please remember the League cannot take action on these matters if you do not report them. 2. If due to unforeseen circumstances such as non arrival of team(s), player(s), kit or lack of ground markings you are considering postponing a game please ensure that you allow a reasonable time (30 minutes) after normal kick-off time to allow for remedial action to be taken before making your final decision. 3. With reference to substitutes read rule 10(g). 4. Referees Fees for All Divisions are £30.00. Assistant Referees Fees £15.00 5. All reports on players cautioned or sent off and misconduct by Clubs or Club officials must be submitted in duplicate (with an extra copy where both Clubs are concerned) to;- The Chief Executive , E.C.F.A, The County Office, Springfield Lyons Approach, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 5LB. 6. Guidance to Referees in marking result cards for M.E.F.L. Sportsmanship Award. A scale of 1-10 is applicable. To arrive at the total marks out of 10 to be awarded, it is suggested that Referee should use the following method. 1. On the field of play a maximum of seven marks. a) Did players behave in a sportsman like manner to their opponents? b) Did players show correct attitude to fellow team members? c) Were the Referring and Line decisions accepted without undue dissent 2. Off the field of play a maximum of three marks. a) Was the game confirmed in good time? b) Were you welcomed on arrival? c) Did both sets of players arrive on time? c) Were you and the opposition treated with courtesy and respect? d) Were your match fees and expenses dealt with in a courteous manner?
NOTES TO SECRETARIES TIMES OF KICK-OFF The Kick-off time in all Saturday League matches shall be 2pm Evening matches must kick-off no later than 6.30pm 1.a. ALL GENERAL BUSINESS matters are dealt with by the Hon. Secretary of the League : A.M. Chaplin, 8, Abraham Drive, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3SP. b. FINANCIAL BUSINESS is dealt with by the Hon. Treasurer of the League: C.Hearn, 18 Surman Crescent Shenfield,Brentwood Essex CM13 2PP. c. REGISTRATIONS AND TRANSFERS are dealt with by the Hon. Registrations Secretary G.Brooks, PO Box 2081,Rochford, Essex SS4 9AP. Extra Registration Forms and Transfers MUST BE PREPAID. d. RESULT SHEETS are dealt with by the Hon. Results Secretary : A.M. Chaplin, 8 Abraham Drive, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3SP, where possible all result sheets MUST BE sent by email d. FIXTURES. All matters relating to fixtures are dealt with by the Hon. Fixture Secretary Premier, Divisions 1, 2 & 3 refer to K.Pearce, 104 Longstomps Avenue, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9LB for Division 4 and 5 refer to P.Cram, 122 Pollards Green, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6UL 2. Each Club is expected to supply suitable accommodation for the Referee and visitors. Each Club must provide an Assistant Referee. The Secretary of the Home Club must notify full particulars of ground etc., to the Referee and its opponents at least FOUR DAYS prior to the match. 3. All results are to be telephoned through to the Hon. Publicity Secretary on 01621 855907 by 7pm on the day of the fixture. This includes Cup Finals. Under no circumstances will results of other fixtures be given on the telephone by the Hon. Publicity Secretary. These can be obtained by telephoning 01621 853076 on Sunday 5pm until the following Friday evening. GUIDANCE FOR MARKING REFEREES 4. A scale of 1-100 will be applicable. To arrive at the total marks out of 100 to be awarded, Clubs should use the following method:- Section one : General Control ( a maximum of) Fifty Marks. i. Did the Referee face up to difficulties or was he influenced by spectators ? ii. Were his decisions given clearly ? iii. Did he make effective use of his Assistant Referee ? Was his positioning satisfactory ? Section Two: Application of the laws (a maximum of) Thirty Marks. Was the Referee generally correct in his decisions based on his interpretation of the Laws of the Game (NB isolated controversial decisions must be ignored)? Section Three: Personality and Personal Appearance (a maximum of) Twenty Marks. i. Was the Referee confident and quick thinking? ii. Did his appearance and personality inspire confidence? 5. Hospitality shown to Referees will enhance your Club’s reputation and that of the Competition. Ask him for his expenses in your pre-match welcome and pay them plus the fee immediately after the game. Do not wait for the Referee to ask. 6. Result sheets should reach Mr. A.M.Chaplin as per rule 11. Be sure your players are duly qualified as per Rule 8. 7. Please endeavour to have necessary First Aid equipment available in case of emergency. 8. When communicating urgent or emergency messages by telephone ensure that the names and status of persons making and receiving calls are exchanged. 9. County Competitions: Your attention is specifically drawn to M.E.F.L Rules 10c, 10d, and 11b. 10. It is a condition of the competition that a fixture MUST BE PLAYED when either a referee is not appointed or he fails to fulfil an appointment, in accordance with rule 13b. 11. A request to the E.C.F.A. for a Personal Hearing must be made within 14 days of the posting of notification giving full details and the player’s version of the incident and his reasons for requesting a Personal Hearing, (ECFA Rule 18b). 12. A players Club is responsible for the payment of any disciplinary fines or costs of administrative charges. Should a player fail to reimburse the Club a request to the E.C.F.A. WITHIN 28 DAYS, may be made for a Sine Die Suspension to be placed on the player, (E.C.F.A. Rule 18d). 13. Each home Club is expected to supply two suitable match balls fit for play. 14. When changing Club Secretary or Club colours, Clubs must immediately notify in writing the League Hon. Secretary and the Secretary of the Essex County F.A. 15. The 2009/2010 season will commence on 29th August 2009 and end on 15th May 2010 for the Mid Essex League and League Cup matches. SPORTSMANSHIP RULES 1. The Sportsmanship Cup will be awarded to the team showing the best sportsmanship on and off the field as evidenced by: - i. Conduct on the field and disciplinary record. ii. Attention to the needs of visitors iii. Attitude towards the referee. iv. Full teams and prompt starts. v. Promptness in carrying out obligations to opponents, to the League and its Officers. vi. Good feeling amongst members of the team (members will be expected to have discharged all their obligations to their Club). 2. The winners will be decided by the Sub-Committee specially appointed by the Management Committee. 3. Sportsmanship Certificates (not more than six) shall be awarded to the winners of the Cup and to the other teams nearest in order of merit. 4. Medals shall not be awarded in any circumstances in connection with this scheme. This award was instituted in 1958 with a Trophy presented to the League by Chelmsford Rangers F.C. The trophy is inscribed to commemorate the Jubilee of the League and the 40 years service of the late Mr.W.T Spurgeon, as Hon. Secretary. THE BILL HAWKES MID - ESSEX LEAGUE REFEREES TROPHY 1. The trophy shall be awarded annually to the Referee who achieves the highest average marks awarded by Clubs in the Mid-Essex League Competitions during the current season. 2. If more than one Referee achieves the same highest average mark a decision will be made by the Mid-Essex League Referees sub-committee. Its decision will be final. 3. A Referee shall not qualify for the award in consecutive seasons. 4. A serving Officer of the Mid-Essex League shall not be eligible for this award. 5. The recipient must be a qualified Referee and registered with the Essex County F.A. for the current season. 6. The recipient must have refereed a minimum of thirteen games per season for two consecutive seasons in the Mid-Essex League Competitions. The trophy is inscribed to commemorate the late Bill Hawkes HONARARIUMS In recognition of the work of the Officers of the Competition a committee comprising of Representatives of the Management Committee will be convened as determined by the competition to decide the level of honorarium to be paid to these Officers. This will be presented to the Annual General Meeting where agreement will be sought. The amount agreed for season 2008/2009 these amounts shall be reviewed at the end of this season :- Honorary Secretary £180.00 All other officers holding an honorary position to be paid £110.00 COMPETITION SPECIFIC DECISIONS 2009/2010 The Rules of Membership of the Essex County Football Association (ECFA) require Competitions to specify certain clauses as follows:- Playing Season The season shall commence on the first Saturday in September 2009 and conclude on the third Saturday in May 2010 Discretionary Fines The Rules of the League are governed by the Standard Code of Rules issued by the Football Association through the ECFA. Some rules include mandatory fines for breaches and some are “at the discretion of the Management Committee”. In these cases Clubs will be charged, may be offered a punishment in accordance with the table below, and given the opportunity to appear before the Management Committee to explain the breach or vary the punishment. Rule 5(h) Failing to attend to League correspondence No recommendation 5(i) Failing to pay fines within 14 days No recommendation 8(o) Playing ineligible players Fine min.£10, max. £50, match awarded to opponents 10(b) Late Kick-off Fine £10 10(d) Late notification of fixture Fine £10 10(e) Playing with less than 10 players Fine £5 per player 10(f) Failing to notify postponement Fine £10 10(f) Failing to fulfil a fixture Fine min,£10, max £50 after 31st March max£100, lose match, points deducted, pay expenses 10(f) Postponing first team and playing reserve team Fine £25, match awarded, points deducted where appropriate 10(i) No / Late Team Sheet Fine £10 11(a) Failing to return result sheets by specified time Fine £10 11(b) Failing to telephone result Fine £10, more than 3 occasions £20, 5occasions £30 11(c) Incorrect or incomplete result sheet Fine £10 13(c) No Assistant Referee Fine £5 13(h) Failing to mark Referee charged under rule 11 (c) 14(a) Failing to notify withdrawal intentions by 31 March Fine not exceeding £150 14(b) Withdrawing after AGM Fine not exceeding £150 League Cup Rule 5 Playing ineligible players Fine min £10, max £50 tie awarded Dave Strachan Knockout Cup Rule 5 Playing ineligible players Fine min £10, max £50 tie awarded All decisions of the Management Committee are subject to the right of appeal to the ECFA in accordance with rule 16 APPENDIX A CRITERIA FOR ENTRY AND CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP A CLUB • A club shall be properly constituted, with a committee elected by the members at an A.G.M.. • Regular committee meetings shall be held and minuted • Records shall be kept of the club’s finances, duly audited and accepted by the members at an A.G.M. • The minute book and accounts, shall be made readily available upon request by the League. DISCIPLINE RECORD • Clubs applying shall have a satisfactory record and shall if required supply details of any disciplinary action against itself, officials and players proven during the last 2 competitive seasons. FACILITIES • Ground shall ideally be available for the period from the beginning of September until the second week of May as a minimum • A telephone, either mobile or land line, shall be available on the ground • Car parking facilities shall be available close to the ground • The size of the playing area shall be no less than 96 metres in length and 62 metres in breadth (105 yards in length and 68 yards in breadth), and consist of a good playing surface. • The playing area shall be a reasonable distance from the changing rooms and have a physical barrier around all four sides, behind which all spectators must stand. CHANGING ROOMS • There shall be separate changing rooms for each team, having a minimum floor area of 9.29 square metres (100 square feet). • Separate provision shall be provided for the match officials which shall preferably have an integral shower and toilet facilities, and a minimum floor area of 4.55 square metres (49 square feet), excluding the shower area. • Access shall be without going through team changing rooms or clubhouse area open to non-playing members. SHOWER FACILITIES • Adequate shower facilities shall be provided. • Where these are separate there shall be a minimum of 4 showerheads. • Where shower facilities are shared, access must be such that neither team shall have to enter the changing room of the other team to gain access to the showers. • There must be a minimum of 8 showerheads where shower facilities are shared TOILET FACILITIES • Where toilet facilities are separate, a minimum of 1 WC shall be provided in each changing room. • Where toilet facilities are shared, there must not be less than a total of 3 WCs/Urinals, of which at least 1 must be a WC. • Where the toilet facilities are also shared by the match officials, there must not be less than a total of 4 WCs/Urinals, of which at least 1 must be a WC. • Where toilet facilities are shared, access must be such that neither team or match officials have to enter the others used changing room to gain access to the toilets. APPENDIX B RESPECT CODE OF CONDUCT PLAYERS On and off the field, will: § Adhere to the Laws of The Game § Display and promote high standards of behaviour § Promote Fair Play § Always respect the match officials decisions § Never engage in public criticism of the match officials § Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour § Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment § Speak to my team mates, the opposition and my coach/manager with respect § Remember we all make mistakes § Win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game COACHES, TEAM MANAGERS and CLUB OFFICIALS On and off the field of play, will § Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators § Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game § Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour § Always respect the match official’s decision § Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission § Never engage in public criticism of the match officials § Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour MATCH OFFICIALS will § Be honest and completely impartial at all times § Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently § Manage the game in a positive, calm and confident manner § Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct § Never tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and officials § Support my match official colleagues at all times § Set a positive personal example by promoting good behaviour and showing respect to everyone involved in the game § Communicate with the players and encourage fair play § Respond in a clear, calm and confident manner to any appropriate request for clarification by the team captain § Prepare physically and mentally for every match § Complete and submit, accurate and concise reports within the time limit required for games in which they officiate DIRECTORY OF CLUBS Note : All Private Data has been removed. Please see your handbook for contact deatils Battlesbridge F.C.
Beacon Hill Rovers F.C.
Boreham F.C.
Bradwell United F.C.
Braintree & Bocking United F.C.
Brendans F.C.
Broomfield F.C.
Burnham Ramblers F.C.
Byfleet Rangers F.C.
City Colts F.C.
Crays Hill United F.C.
Dunmow F.C.
Durning F.C.
E2V Technologies F.C.
Epping F.C.
Felsted Rovers F.C.
Ferrers Athletic F.C.
Focus Ferrers F.C.
Forest Glade F.C.
Frenford Senior F.C.
Great Baddow F.C.
Harold Wood Athletic F.C.
Hutton F.C.
Latchingdon F.C.
Little Waltham F.C.
Maldon St. Mary F.C.
Manford Way F.C.
Marconi Athletic F.C.
Marks Farm F.C.
Mundon Vics F.C.
Old Chelmsfordians F.C.
Ravens F.C.
Rhodesia United F.C.
Runwell Hospital F.C.
St.Clere’s F.C.
St.Margarets F.C.
Scotia Billericay F.C.
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