WEARSIDE FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
GENERAL RULES FOR SEASON 2012 - 2013
1. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION.
(A) This Competition shall be designated the Wearside League and known as the Wearside League and shall consist of not more than 40 Clubs approved by the sanctioning authority.
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 Durham County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be Durham, Cumberland, Northumberland and North Riding.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Durham County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, with the first division having a minimum of 18 clubs. No more than one team from a Club can participate in the same division.
Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have the power to decide or adjust the compilation of the division at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.
2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT.
(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition must be made in writing to the Secretary. The Grounds and facilities of all new applicants, with the exception of clubs relegated or transferred via the National League System, shall be subject to Inspection by members of the Management Committee. All such clubs shall deposit a Non Returnable Fee of £ 30.00
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.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be and all-inclusive fee of £360.00p. This fee shall be paid either in one payment or in four equal payments of £90.00p on or before the First day August, October, December and March of each season. Clubs in default of this rule SHALL be fined £ 25.00 per month, or part month, until the full debt is recovered. New Clubs shall be admitted as Associate Members for One Year.
3. OFFICERS.
The Officers of the Competition shall be President, Vice Presidents, Chairman, Vice Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer, Registration Secretary and Referees / Fixture Secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).
4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION.
(A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and Seven members to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting by the Member Clubs and Life Members. 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 Clubs two Member Clubs, not later than 14th May in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.
(C) The Management Committee shall meet monthly/ as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises.
On receiving a requisition signed by two thirds of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a special 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.
5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT.
(A) The Management Committee may appoint sub- committees and delegates 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 Durham 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.
(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 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, 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 SEVEN days.
(F) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and Three Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Management Committee.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have the power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attends 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) 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.
(K) Any Club not represented at a Management Committee Meeting when instructed in writing to do so, by either their Secretary and/or Chairman, or any person instructed to attend a meeting of the Management Committee, and failing to do so without reasonable excuse shall be fined the sum of £50.00 in addition to any fines imposed. In the event of any Club or Person failing to attend a meeting of the Management Committee, the Committee shall have the power to deal with the matter in his/her absence.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 30th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least ten members are present and entitled to vote.
(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the proceeding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To consider any business arising there from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies. (As recommended by the Management Committee.)
(v) Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing season.
(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee. Appointment of Auditors.
(vii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(viii) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season.
(ix) Carry out the draw for internal cup competition/s.
(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 fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Durham County Football Association.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Durham County Football Association within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than seven days notice shall be given of any meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least two thirds of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £50.00.
(I) Officers shall be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting.
7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED.
The Chairman and Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.
“We, Mr. / Mrs. ....................................... of .................................……….. Chairman, and
Mr. / Mrs. ..............................................of..................................…………Secretary of the .................................................. Football Club, have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Wearside Football League and its Associated Cup Competitions and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, if accepted into Membership, to conform to these Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition/s, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Any alteration of the Chairman and / or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.
8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS.
(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition. It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form for that Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 12 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
(B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible has:-(1) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Registrations Secretary and whose completed registration has been received by the Club prior to playing.
(2) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and shall be witnessed by an Officer of the Opposing Club,. The name of the player and his date of birth must be texted to the league no later than the end of the match for inclusions on the leagues website. This registration form shall be submitted to the Registration Secretary within
Five days of the subsequent to the match.
(C) Premiership, Football League and Conference Clubs with Reserve and/or “A” Sides shall be allowed to enter the Competition and then only with the approval of the Management Committee.
Any Club so accepted for membership shall submit the names of their best TWELVE players for the first team on the first day of each month for approval by the Management Committee. None of these named players shall be eligible to play for the reserve and/or “A” side in any fixture associated with the Competition during that month.
(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 League website
(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 Registration 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.
(H)(i) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registrationof any player subject to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below.
(ii) The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, at their discretion who has been charged, found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16)
(iii) The Management Committee shall have the power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found 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 proven misconduct, 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 or intending to be registered with.
(iv) For a player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with clause (iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.
(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. All decisions must include the period of restriction. 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 for any team playing in this Competition.
(I) Subject to the FA RuleC2(a) dealing with players without written contracts when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to, shall submit seven days notice of approach by registered post or recorded delivery to the Club he is currently registered with or a written acknowledgement otherwise obtained from Chairman or Secretary of the Club approached. Facsimile or email transmissions may be used provided a receipt of acknowledgement is also obtained. Following the date of posting of the written notice of approach, receipt of an acknowledgement the player may be registered on or after the eighth day and must be registered by his new Club on or before the twenty-first day thereafter. The approaching Club may not approach the same player a second time in the same playing season and may only approach only one player at the same Club at any time and may not approach another player at the same Club within twenty-eight days of an earlier notice of approach.
The Club wishing to transfer the player shall submit a transfer form to the Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £2.00. Any Club not having registered 13 (thirteen) players SEVEN days before the commencement of the season shall be fined £ 30.00p.
Where a Club request a Second Transfer is considered as a matter of urgency, i.e. other than at the normal scheduled monthly meeting of the Management Committee, on written application accompanied by a fee of £10.00 the League Secretary shall arrange for the matter to be dealt with by special consideration of the Committee.
(J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31st March in any season.
(K) A Club shall keep a list of players it registers and a record of the games in which they 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 published on the league website. Also the registration register will 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 registered as required by this rule.
(M) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total.
(ii) In addition the team shall have three points deducted from its total and shall be fined an amount to be decided by the Management Committee.
(iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(N) The transfer & registration deadline will be the 31st March, each season. Each Club Secretary will be supplied with a list of players (Retainer List) with his Club as at the 31st March. This form shall be returned to the Registration Secretary as per league rules on player registrations with player’s signature to indicate the players who are remaining with the Club for the forthcoming season and indicating any changes in circumstances.
A player registered under this Rule may during the MONTH OF JUNE each season write to the League Registration Secretary requesting that his registration with his Club be cancelled. The Registration Secretary on receipt of said application shall confirm to the player and the Club concerned of the cancellation of the registration.
9. CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME.
(A) Every Club must register its first and second choice of colours with the League Secretary before the 15th June in each season. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule to be fined the sum of £30.00.
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 Seven days before the match.
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined the sum of £40.00. Shirts shall be numbered 2 - 11 with the substitutes numbered 12 - 17 except when the substitute is a goalkeeper.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.
10. PLAYING SEASON.
TIMES OF KICK OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES.
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuring 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 Secretary must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.
(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 the power to order the venue to be changed. Whilst a Wearside League game is played there shall be no other games played on any adjoining pitch, In the case of Council owned pitches, priority must be given to the Wearside League side in order they fulfill their fixtures. If a Cup match is to be played any morning team shall not be permitted to play in case they put the playing surface in to a condition the Referee will not allow play to take place.
Clubs must keep the Fixture / Referees Appointment Secretary fully aware of their Ground availability, the Ground will otherwise be considered available for any amendment or alteration to the fixtures. Only the Fixtures Secretary will have the Authority to arrange all fixtures and where Additional / Change to Fixtures are required he will endeavor to give Seven Days Notice of same. No game other games shall take place on an adjacent pitch and no game shall take place on a pitch 24 hours ahead of a Wearside League or cup game.
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 70 minutes) is mutually agreed by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of two equal halves.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum of £50.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determinate.
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 and the playing area must have a fixed touchline barrier.
(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 Fixture / League Secretary.
Where a club is drawn at home in it’s Respective County Cup, it will be played in the previous midweek subject to the rules of the County Cup concerned.
(D) The Secretary of the home club must give notice in writing / telephone, full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials at least FIVE clear days prior to the playing of the match.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be shall be fine £30.00.
(E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team in all matches in the Competition. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be charged with bringing the League into disrepute.
In the event of a team playing in a match with less than ELEVEN players they shall be fined £ 10.00 for each missing player. A minimum of SEVEN 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 inflict a minimum fine of £ 150.00, and 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 fulfill 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 £100 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.
Any Club unable to fulfill a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the (Fixture) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.
In the event of a League 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 14 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. Providing gate money is taken and retained the visiting Club shall receive their bus fares or the equivalent for 18 persons, or car allowance at 0.30p per mile for transporting 18 persons collectively, or hire charge of a coach (receipts to be submitted) up to a maximum of £100.00p The residue, if any, to be equally divided between the two clubs after deducting the cost of advertising, printing, posting, police and match officials charges. The home Club shall take the whole of the proceeds of the second match.
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 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 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. The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(O) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use:
Three substitutes in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five players.
The referee shall be informed, in his dressing room, of the names of the substitutes not later than Thirty minutes before the start of the match. Failure to comply a fine of £30.00p shall be imposed.
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.
(H) The half time interval shall be of FIFTEEN minutes duration, excepting for bad light when the half time interval may be altered with the consent of the referee.
11. REPORTING RESULTS.
(A) Match return form are carbonated and for all competitions clubs must complete a match return form and exchange with their opposition in front of the referee ensuring 30 minutes before the kick off. Blue copy to Match official, white to opponents and pink retain by the club. On completion of the match and within 56 hours each clubs must update the online match return with the full match details including referees mark, full list of players including substitutes showing those who have played and where replaced by the substitutes. Each Clubs and the match referee must retain their own and opponents sheet for inspection by the league committee as required within the current season. Failing to complete with this rules Clubs shall be fined £30.00p
(B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match, along with details of all goal scorers to the Press Officer within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the match or be fined a sum of £30.00.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have the power to take such action, as they deem suitable against a Club, which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information, and levy a minimum fine of £30.00.
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP.
(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 team gaining the highest gaining of points at the end of the season shall be adjudged as champions. Matches must not be played for double points.
In the event of two or more teams being equal on point’s team ranking will be decided on goal difference. In the event of goal difference being the same the team with the highest number of goals scored shall take first place.
(B) (i)Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season shall be filled by election.
(ii) The last TWO teams in the Division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meting.
(C) In the event of a team not completing all but TWO of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
(D) The Champion Club providing they meet the accepted ground grading will be eligible to make application to the Northern League via the North Eastern Section of the Pyramid of Football at their Annual General Meeting. Should the Champion Club not wish for promotion, or alternatively, not have the necessary ground grading then the Second placed Club shall be eligible under the same conditions.
Clubs wishing to make application to be considered for promotion to the Northern League shall notify the Secretary of the Wearside League not later than the 21st November in each year. The Secretary of the Wearside League will by the 30tht of November in each year advise the Secretary of the Northern League of those Clubs considered to be eligible for promotion on the basis of League position and ground grading. To qualify for promotion all major works to grounds and facilities MUST be completed by 31st March of that year. In all cases a Clearance Certificate will be required in respect of debts to the Competition and other matters. Any club relegated from the Northern League shall not be regarded as a probationary club in the Wearside League.
13. REFEREES.
(A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Associations.
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge. In cases where there are no appointed Assistant Referees 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 appointed Referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and his decision shall be final.
It shall be the duty of the Home Club to establish in advance with the Match Referee that, in the event of a pitch inspection being necessary, the referee will be available to carry out such inspection by 10.00 a.m. (1.00 p.m. for midweek fixtures).
If as a result of the inspection the fixture has to be postponed the information is to be conveyed to the League Fixture Secretary and the Secretary of the visiting Club by 11.00 a.m. (2.00 p.m. for midweek fixtures). The Match Official who conducted the Pitch Inspection to confirm with the League Secretary the postponement. (See General Rules for Club Secretaries No 7, Pitch Inspection Report Form).
Should the referee indicate that he is unable to attend for a pitch inspection then the Home Secretary must arrange with the League Fixture Secretary to have an alternative approved official standing by to carry out an inspection. In the case of fixtures against clubs whose ground is 50 miles or over away, a ground inspection must be carried out by 7.00 p.m. on the day prior to the match. If the weather deteriorates overnight a further inspection must be carryout no later than 9am. Clubs must stay in close communication before the away team departs for their journey.
(D) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 34 pence per mile together with the following match fees. Referee £27.00, Assistant Referees £20.00. Where instructed to be the League Fixture Secretary officials must travel together. Failure to do so will result in on one travel expenses being paid. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and or expenses, in their dressing room, before/immediately after the match.
(E) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee 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 attended the ground, their full fee and expenses.
(F) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have his name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which he is registered.
(G) 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 fined £30.00 in each case.
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(s.)
(H) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, details of dismissals and cautions issued and the time of kick-off to the REFEREES Secretary within three days of the match.
(I) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
(J) Match Officials shall report to the Home Club at least 45minutes before the advised kick-off time.
(K) Referee Appointments Secretary shall notify all match officials of appointments, time of kick off etc. and Officials MUST REPLY BY RETURN OF POST, to the Referee’s Secretary, stating acceptance or otherwise. Failure to do so could result in appointments being cancelled and the facts reported to the Official’s County Association.
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR RESIGNATION OF A CLUB.
(A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to resign from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfillment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the League Secretary in writing by 31st March each Season or be liable to a minimum fine of £ 400.00. A Club having submitted its resignation to continue in the league must withdrawn said resignation by 10th May. If a club withdraws its resignation after this date the club must seek reelection to the League at the AGM
Any club resigning membership of the league shall forfeit all rights to sponsorship awards at the end of the season. In addition the administration fee paid for by the Leagues sponsors may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Management Committee when a clubs penalty points for field offences exceeds 45, (Based on 2 points per dismissal and/or misconduct of club officials and 1 point per caution. Clubs exceeding 45 penalty points to be fined an additional £2.00 per point in excess of 45).
(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw its team from the Competition after the Annual General Meting for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine of a minimum £600 and not exceeding £815.00 and shall be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B) as well as its share of the premium for the League Insurance Scheme.
(C) 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 Members pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.
15. PROTESTS AND APPEALS.
(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the League Secretary within THREE 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 League Secretary a sum of £50.00. 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 be shared by the parties.
(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.
(i) All parties must have received seven days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should forward a deposit of £25.00p and indicate such when forwarding the written response.
16. BOARD OF APPEAL.
Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee of 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 Football Association, including a fee of £ 50.00 for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
A copy of the appeal must be forwarded to the League Secretary for information.
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS, OR TEAMS. MISCONDUCT, CLUBS , OFFICIALS, PLAYERS
(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 official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
18. TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS.
(A) A Competition Cup shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as trustees. If a Competition be discontinued for any cause the Cup shall be returned to the Donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide. At the close of each Season awards shall be made to the winners and runners up if the funds of the Competition permit.
The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup.
We Mr. / Mrs. .......................................Chairman and Mr. / Mrs.................................... Secretary of ........................................................F. C. members of, and representing the Club, having been declared the winners of ............................................................... Cup, 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 to the Competition Secretary on or before 30th April 2010, If the Cup 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.
(B) All Clubs must ensure that all League Trophies that may be on public display have extra insurance cover and this cover must be paid by the Club concerned. The Club must liaise with the League Secretary regarding the cover required before the Trophy(s) are put on display.
19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS.
Upon receiving a requisition signed by two- thirds of the Clubs in membership the League 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 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 Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason given shall be fined £ 50.00.
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
20. ALTERATION TO RULES.
Alterations, for which consent has been given by the sanctioning Association, 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 31st May in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 20th may and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 27th May 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 a majority of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association FOURTEEN 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.
21. FINANCE.
(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 £ 250.00 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 14th May.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet of the Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable persons who shall be nominated by the Management Committee and their appointment confirmed at the Annual General Meeting.
22. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
A.) POOLING OF MATCH FEES.
For League matches only the fees and expenses of Match Officials shall be pooled, each Club rendering on the Match Return details of all payments made. (Expenses paid in respect of abandoned or postponed matches to be included).
The League Secretary shall at the conclusion of the season divide the total cost of Officials by the total number of Clubs and where the total payment made by the Club is less than the average equal share of the pool the Club shall pay the difference. Where the sum of money is more than the average equal share of the pool the League will reimburse the Club accordingly.
B.) CLUB REQUIREMENTS.
All Clubs shall have enclosed grounds and dressing accommodation which, conforms to the F.A. Ground Grading Standard for level 7 leagues.
All Clubs will play under Floodlights when requested for the benefit of the League. Clubs with will be permitted to play floodlights midweek games on Tuesday evenings if that is their preference. However during the months of August, April, May, the midweek games will be Mondays / Wednesdays. Midweek games can also be played on Friday evenings, but only if both clubs are in agreement.
3. Refreshments.
Clubs must provide suitable refreshments to visiting teams and officials and match officials at half time and full time for all games within the League.
Visiting Clubs must return for after match refreshments with a minimum of 10 persons unless prior arranged with the home club at least 24 hours prior to the fixture. In midweek fixtures the home club when confirming the game with their opponents must inquire if they will be participating in after match refreshment.
Clubs not complying with this rule will be fined a minimum of £40 plus the cost of refreshment where applicable.
4. Clubs must provide toilet facilities at their grounds for spectators.
5. Clubs must provide Trainer Boxes, failure to do so will result in a fine of £40.00 with an additional fine of £5.00 per week being levied until these are provided. Trainers Boxes are to be situated at the side of the field where the Manager/Trainer/Coach and substitutes MUST be located until their presence is required. Substitutes unable to use the Trainers Box shall position themselves at the side of the Trainers Box outside the boundary of the touchline barrier in full view of the match officials.
A Technical Area as described in Law 3 may be provided in front of the Trainers Box Area. The Technical Area shall extend for 1 metre on either side of the Designated Trainers Box and forward to within 1 metre of the Touch line and be clearly marked. Two people only, the Manager or Coach and Physiotherapist shall be allowed within this area. This person can remain there for the entire duration of the game should he so wish, without issuing any instructions this person must behave in a responsible manner in the technical area.
6. The League is to provide two sets of eight Bibs, one set orange to be worn and visible by the home team and a Green set for the visiting team which must be worn by the five Substitutes, Physio, Coach and Manager.
These people are the only ones allowed in the trainer box and the names will be put onto the Team Sheet. Any person not wearing a bib will not be allowed in the dug out or technical area and will be removed by the match officials. No Children shall be allowed in the dugouts. Any club reported by the match referee for failing to comply with this rule will be Fined £30.00.
C. LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
League Officials with more than twelve (12) years service shall be eligible for Life Membership and have the power to vote. Life Members may be considered for election to the Management Committee.
D. COMPLIMENTARY PASSES.
Ten (10) complimentary passes will be issued to each Club for use by Committee members of the Club in any League fixture involving their Club in order that those Committee Members may have free entry to the ground in the League and entrance into any refreshment rooms. These passes to be produced on demand.
E. ADMISSION CHARGES.
Clubs must charge for admission to all matches. The minimum charge for admission shall be for Adults £ 1.00 O.A.P.S and Children £ 0.50.
F. LEAGUE INSURANCE SCHEME AND PUBLIC LIABILITY.
All Clubs shall be members of the League Insurance Scheme or of an approved alternative Insurance Scheme providing a minimum weekly benefit of £ 50.00. All premiums to be paid on or before 14th July in any year or on a date to be decided by the Management Committee.
All Clubs must provide Public Liability Insurance Cover at their grounds.
All Clubs must have public liability insurance cover of at least 10 million pounds (£10,000,000).
With effect from the 2013-14 season all Clubs must be members of a Players’ personal accident scheme which meets the minimum criteria set by the sanctioning Association.
G. FIRST AIDER.
Clubs must have a suitable first aider in attendance for all League and Cup matches the minimum qualifications MUST be The FA First Aid for Sport. . Details of his/her qualifications to be submitted to the League Secretary on or before 1st September in each year.
H. CHARTER STANDARD.
All clubs as members of the league MUST have a minimum of FA Charter Standard for Adult Clubs.
I. CORRESPONDENCE.
All correspondence between Clubs and the League must be dealt with by the Club Secretary or in his absence by an approved deputy.
Clubs must enclose a stamped addressed envelope with all correspondence requiring a reply. .i.e. completed registration and transfer forms etc
Clubs not complying with this Rule shall be fined the sum of £ 2.00 in each instance.
One week before the start of the season each Club must forward to the League Secretary ten (10) First Class Stamps. Clubs failing to comply with this instruction shall be fined the sum of £ 20.00.
J. LEAGUE PRESENTATION
League presentation / sportsman dinners must be attended by all clubs and each club must take a minimum of six tickets. If clubs are unable to attend they must still purchase these tickets and the league will redistribute as appropriate.
23. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS.
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.