Rules | Birmingham League

“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.

“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.

“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches.

“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.

“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.

“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.

“Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time.

“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.

“Player Registration System” means The FA system to register players as determined by The FA from time to time.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning Authority” means [The FA] [the Birmingham County Football Association Limited].

“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as defined in The FA rules.

“Season” means the period of time between one AGM and the next AGM

“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

“Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“Virtual Meetings” means meetings held electronically.

“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

1.B

Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and also the other way around

Definitions

GOVERNANCE RULES [BACK TO TOP]

2. COMPETITION NAME, CONSTITUTION

2.A

The Competition will be known as Birmingham & District Football League (or such other name as the Competition may adopt). The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

2.B

This Competition shall consist of not more than 140 Clubs approved by the Sanctioning Authority.

2.C

The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be Birmingham, Solihull, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands & Worcestershire.

2.D

The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.

2.E

All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation to them subject to the provisions of Rule 7.

2.F

The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

2.G

1. All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority and must have a constitution approved by the Sanctioning Authority. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

2. This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Sanctioning Authority and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in divisions.

2.H

Inclusivity and Non-discrimination:

The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (including those contained in the Equality Act 2010).
This Competition and each Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.
Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.

2.I

Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, England Football Accredited and RESPECT programmes. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

2.J

All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children and Regulations for Safeguarding Adults at Risk as determined by The FA from time to time.

2.K

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. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

2.L

At the AGM or an SGM called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22.

2.M

Only one Team from a Club shall be permitted to participate in a single division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries in which case the Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Sanctioning Authority. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, Teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than by transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules.

Name & Constitution

3. CLUB NAME [BACK TO TOP]

Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority following consultation with the Competition. In the event that permission is granted, the Club must advise the Competition Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Club Name

4. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT [BACK TO TOP]

4.A

Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary by 30th September and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee for each Team as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

Applications, of which due notice has been given, will be received at the AGM or an SGM if confirmed by a majority of the accredited voting members present.

When Rule 22.B is applied or a Team seeks a transfer or, is compulsorily transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable

4.B

The annual subscription shall be payable, in accordance with the Fees Tariff for each Club payable at a date agreed at the AGM or set by the Competition.

4.C

In the event of any issue concerning the membership of any Club with the Competition the Management Committee may require a Deposit to be paid (in accordance with the Fees Tariff) by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

4.D

A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee, annual subscription and deposit (if required) have been paid.

4.E

Clubs must advise the Secretary annually in writing by 15th July of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming Playing Season. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Entry Fee

5. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION [BACK TO TOP]

5.A

The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and 9 members who shall all be elected at the AGM.

5.B

Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing not later than 30th April in each year. All other candidates for election as Officers of the Competition or members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the secretaries of two Clubs, not later than 30th April in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no nomination for any office by the date stated in the earlier part of this Rule, nominations may be received at the AGM.

5.C

The Management Committee shall meet a minimum of twice a season or as and when required,

On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Management Committee.

5.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.

5.E

All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers and sent to the Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Management Committee

6. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT [BACK TO TOP]

6.A

The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and 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 FA or Affiliated Association.

6.B

Subject to the permission of the Sanctioning Authority 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 on each Club to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the Season.

6.C

Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee meetings and have one vote at all such meetings but no member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly relating to that member or to the Club so represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall also apply to the procedure of any sub-committee)

6.D

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

6.E

The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.

With the exception of Rules 6.J, 8.H, and 9, for all alleged breaches of a Rule the Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club charged shall be given 7 days from the date of notification of the charge to reply. In such reply a Club may:

1. Accept the charge and /or submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the Management Committee; or

2. Accept the charge and notify the Competition that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the Management Committee; or

3. Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the Management Committee; or

4. Deny the charge and notify the Competition that it wishes to have a hearing before the Management Committee.

Where the Club charged fails to respond within 7 days, the Management Committee shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate.

Having considered the reply of the Club (whether in writing or at a hearing), the Management Committee shall make its decision and, in the event that the charge is accepted or, proven, decide on the appropriate penalty (with reference to the Fines Tariff where applicable).

Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the Club as more fully set out above.

With the exception of Teams playing at Regional NLS Feeder League of the National League System, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Management Committee must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.

The maximum fine permitted for a breach of a Rule by a Team playing at Regional NLS Feeder League level is £500.

No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

All breaches of the Laws of the Game, or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate sanctioning Association.

6.F

All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.

Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.

6.G

A minimum of 33% of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any of its sub-committees.

6.H

The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill any vacancies that may occur in their number.

6.I

A Club must comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee and must attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition to the satisfaction of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

6.J

Subject to a Club’s right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7 below, all fines and charges must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision. Any Club failing to do so will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional fine within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.

6.K

A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or Competition Match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

6.L

The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Playing Season, subject to the provisions of the National League System Regulations or Women’s Football Pyramid Regulations (which shall take precedence if applicable).

6.M

The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

Powers of Management

7. PROTESTS, CLAIMS, COMPLAINTS, APPEALS [BACK TO TOP]

7.A

1. All questions of eligibility, qualification of Players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee.

2. Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee prior to the commencement of the Match.

7.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 with the Secretary within 14 days (excluding Sundays) of the Competition 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.

7.C

No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum in accordance with the Fees Tariff. 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 inquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

7.D

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 before the protest or complaint being heard.

All parties must have received a minimum of 7 days’ notice of the hearing should they be instructed to attend.
Should a Club elect to state its case in person then it should indicate such when forwarding the written response.

7.E

The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.

7.F

Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff), which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the Secretary. The procedure for the appeal shall be determined by the Sanctioning Authority, and the Sanctioning Authority may (but is not obliged to):

invite submissions by the parties involved;
convene a hearing to hear the appeal;
permit new evidence; or
impose appropriate deadlines.

Any appeal shall not involve a rehearing of the evidence considered by the Management Committee.

7.G

No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct

7.H

All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules and appeals arising from a Player’s contract shall be heard and determined by the Management Committee, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee. The Clubs or Players protesting, appealing, claiming or complaining must send a copy of such protest, appeal, claim or complaint and deposit a fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff) which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and in these circumstances may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.

All such protests, claims, complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within 14 days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.

Protests & Appeals

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING [BACK TO TOP]

8.A

The AGM shall be held not later than 15th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 8 members are present and entitled to vote:-

Confirm the minutes of the last AGM.
Adopt the annual report, balance sheet and statement of accounts from the previous season or accounting period.
Election of Clubs to fill vacancies.
Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing Season.
Election of Competition Officers and Management Committee members.
Appointment of auditors/verifiers..
Alteration of Rules, if any (see Rule 14).
Agree the date for the beginning of the Playing Season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.
Agree the date for the end of the Playing Season (save for Regional NLS Feeder League which shall be determined by The FA).
Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted by the Chair as being relevant to an AGM.

8.B

A copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet, statement of accounts and agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed Rule changes.

8.C

A signed copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet and statement of accounts shall be sent to the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of its adoption by the AGM.

8.D

Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 14 days’ notice shall be given of any AGM.

8.E

Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the Playing 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 12

8.F

All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands or count of email or virtual responses (for virtual meetings), unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chair so decides.

8.G

No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Club.

8.H

Any continuing Club must be represented at the AGM. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

8.I

Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM, but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a club (See Rule 8.G)

8.J

Where a Competition is an incorporated entity, the Officers of the Competition shall ensure that the Articles of Association of the Competition are consistent with the requirements of these Rules.

AGM

9. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS [BACK TO TOP]

9.A

On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call an SGM.

9B

The Management Committee may call an SGM at any time

9C

At least 7 days’ notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

9D

Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGMs. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

9E

Any Club failing to be represented at an SGM shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

9F

Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs, but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a club (See Rule 9.D)

SGM

10. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED [BACK TO TOP]

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,

“We, (A) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Chair)/(Director)and (B) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Secretary)/(Director)of [ ] Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the [ ] Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.”

The agreement shall be signed:

where a Club is an unincorporated association, by the Club Chair and Secretary; or
where a Club is an incorporated entity, by two directors of the Club.

Any change of Chair Secretary or Directors of the Club as named on the above agreement must be notified to the Birmingham County Football Association to which the Club is sanctioned and to the Secretary of this Competition.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Agreement

11. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP, WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB [BACK TO TOP]

11.A

Any 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 of such intention by 31st March each season. This does not apply to a Club moving in accordance with Rule 22.B. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

11.B

The Management Committee shall have the discretion to deal with a Team being unable to start or complete its fixtures for a Playing Season, including, but not limited to, issuing a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

11.C

Notwithstanding the powers of the Management Committee pursuant to Rule 6.I, in the event of a Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee shall be empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

Continuation of Membership

12. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS, TEAMS. MISCONDUCT OF CLUBS, OFFICERS, PLAYERS, MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

[BACK TO TOP]

12.A

At the AGM or SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to:

(1) remove a member of the Management Committee from office; (2) exclude any Club or Team from membership. both of 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. A member of the Management Committee or Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

12.B

At the AGM, or at an SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, 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, provided this is supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) 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

12.C

Any Officer or member of a Club found 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 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 12.A and/or 12.B of this Rule.

Exclusion of Clubs

13. TROPHY [BACK TO TOP]

13.A

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the cup or trophy:

“We (A) (name) and (B) (name), the Chair and Secretary of [ ] FC (Limited), members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of cup or trophy, and the cup or trophy 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 [ ]. 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.”

Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

13.B

At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the winners if the funds of the Competition permit.

Trophy

14. ALTERATION TO RULES [BACK TO TOP]

14.A

Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the AGM or at an SGM specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season, except in exceptional circumstances and approved by Sanctioning Authority or The FA.

14.B

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by 30th April in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 7th May and any amendments to these proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary by 21st May. The proposals and proposed amendments to these proposals shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if 2/3 a majority of those present and entitled to vote and voting are in favour.

14.C

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or SGM shall be submitted to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA (as applicable) at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting.

Alteration to Rules

15. FINANCE [BACK TO TOP]

15.A

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

15.B

All expenditure in excess of £250 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

15.C

The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April.

15.D

The accounting records or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be verified annually by a suitably qualified person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.

Finance

16. INSURANCE [BACK TO TOP]

16.A

All Clubs must have valid Public Liability Insurance cover for a minimum of ten million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.

16.B

All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ Personal Accident Insurance cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition Match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the Sanctioning Authority. In instances where The FA is the Sanctioning Authority, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.

16.C

Failure to comply with Rule 16.A or 16.B will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Insurance

17. DISSOLUTION [BACK TO TOP]

17.A

Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at an SGM by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant SGM.

17.B

In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition.

17.C

The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:

Any surplus assets ( save for a trophy or any other presentation), remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or Affiliated Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the Sanctioning Authority.
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 Authority may decide.

Dissolution

COMPETITION LEAGUE RULES [BACK TO TOP]

L1. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

A

A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:

Registered through the F A Whole Game System only – (Player Registration System) and received approval from the Competition except in the case of a Player who has been registered on the day of the match. For any players registered on the day of a match, a Club Officer must email the Competition with details of the registration 4 hours prior to the scheduled kick off time in order for the Player to be eligible to play in that match. The Player shall not play again in any subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the Player through the F A Player Registration System and is in possession of the approval of the Competition.

Any registration that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed and the player classed as unregistered. If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via the Player Registration System, the registration will not be processed.

All Player profiles/registrations MUST have a recent up to date & clear image of the player attached to it - no obscurities permitted (i.e. Glasses, Hats etc.)

Failure to attach a photo to the profile will result in the registration being rejected.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

B

(i) Contract players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System.

(ii) It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(iii) Each Club must have at least 11 Players registered 7 days before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(iv) In the event of a Non Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, or with a Club in another Competition their registration as a Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in League Rule L1.B(i)

C

A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) shall be permitted to register for a Club but will be suspended from football activities if the Player does not comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.

D

A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered.

E

The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall decide for which Club the Player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

F

It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to:-

Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.
Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer, or where the Competition adopts Rule 18.P
Submit a signed registration form as per Rule 18(A)(ii) or submit a registration through the Player Registration System for registration that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

G

The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of League Rules L1.G(ii) and (iii) below.
The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to SCOR Rule 7).
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 SCOR Rule 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

For a Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with League Rule L1.G(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 League Rule L1.G(iii) shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. 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 any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence)

H

Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2 when a Club wishes to register a player who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer notification to the Competition via the Player Registration System. A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff will be required.

Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition 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 Competition and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the 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 3 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.

I

A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 30th April except by special permission of the Management Committee

J

Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.

K

A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in League Rule L5.A) unless the Player has played 2 Competition Matches for that Team in the current Playing Season.

L

A Team shall not include more than 6 Players who have taken part in 10 or more senior Competition Matches during the current Playing Season unless a period of 21 days has elapsed since they last played.

For the purpose of this Rule a senior competition are Competition Matches played in higher divisions by other teams within the same club.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

M

Subject to League Rule L1.M(ii) any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).
The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at League Rule L1.M(i) only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.
Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with League Rule L1.M(i) above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion order one or more of the following (if appropriate):
Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or
Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or
Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).

N

The following clause applies to Competitions involving Players in full-time secondary education:

Priority must be given at all times to activities of schools and school organisations. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The availability of children and young people must be cleared with the Head Teachers or Principals (except for Sunday leagues competitions).
To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.

O

A Player who has played for a Team in the Premier division 25 times or more shall not in that Playing Season be eligible to play in a lower division except by permission of the Management Committee.

P

If a Club wishes to cancel a Player’s registration within the Competition, it must make a request via The FA’s electronic player registration system giving the reasons for the request. The Competition may either approve or decline the request.

If a Player’s registration is cancelled, he/she will not be eligible to re-register in the Competition for a period of 14 days from the date of cancellation

Qualification of Players

L2. CLUB COLOURS [BACK TO TOP]

A

Every team must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31st July and the Competition Secretary shall decide as to their suitability.

B

Any team changing its colours during the Playing Season must notify the Competition Secretary immediately.

C

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.

D

No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

E

Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeepers jersey) at least 5 days before the Competition Match.

F

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

G

Shirts must all be numbered and no two shirts shall have the same number, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff

Club Colours

L3. PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES [BACK TO TOP]

A

All Competition 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 Competition 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 Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Match(es) on another ground.

Artificial Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches – https://footballfoundation.org.uk/3g-pitch-register. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.

The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with League Rule L3.C.

Within Regional NLS Feeder Leagues, all Competition Matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes. All other Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.

The times of kick-off shall be agreed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs and the Competition.

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

The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if not provided. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

No overhead netting is allowed for 9 v 9 and 11 v 11 affiliated matches.

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are removed for all affiliated matches at Regional NLS Feeder League level.

For those Leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are ideally removed for affiliated matches but if they cannot be removed then discretion is given to the match official to restart the match in accordance of the laws of the game.

B

Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally agreed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

Any Club who wishes to cancel a game for any of its teams on any particular date must give notice to the Hon Secretary and the Hon Fixtures Secretary of at least 28 days prior to that date.

Any Club which enters the Veterans Cup may, if they wish, cancel a League fixture for any one of their Teams on the day of the Veterans Cup game. However, if they wish to cancel a game they must give the Fixture Secretary a minimum of 7 days’ notice with the details.

C

An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the Ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing Club at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

D

In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players that will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

E

i. 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 impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals.

Any fixture in the opinion of the Hon. Fixtures Secretary and subject to Management Committee approval classed as an unfulfilled fixture will require correspondence from both clubs and attract a fine in accordance with amount set out in the Fines Tariff table for the offending club. Any club failing to fulfil a planned fixture shall forfeit the fixture to its opponents and be fined as set out in the Fines Tariff (Goals will not be awarded)

The Team that causes the unfulfilled fixture shall be penalised with a 3 point deduction.

If the game is cancelled on the day of the match then the maximum fine will be levied and the offending Team will be responsible for payment of the match official(s).

A second offence in the same season by the same Team shall result in a fine as set out in the Fines Tariff.

A third offence in the same season by the same Team shall result in a fine as set out in the Fines Tariff.

For night games the period of time will be calculated from the agreed date of the fixture, as opposed to a Saturday. Half of the scale of fines held in the Fines Tariff shall be applied and any points deductions will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.

ii. Fixtures for Saturdays up to and including the first Saturday in May will be issued by the Fixture Secretary.

There will be a Fixture Meeting in March when dates for all outstanding fixtures will be arranged by the clubs concerned. Where only one of the teams for any game is in attendance at this meeting that team will have priority on choice of date. No team will be forced to play on consecutive nights.

Any team not in attendance at this meeting up to the time the meeting is closed will be fined as set out in the Fines Tariff.

For any dates not agreed and any other games that are not played to schedule after the meeting, the teams must agree a new date within 7 days of the event. Any team not agreeing a new date may be fined as set out in the Fines Tariff. The League will then issue the date for the game.

iii. 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, Second Team, Third Team, Fourth Team, Fifth Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee. If this results in the Club postponing its lowest team fixture, the offence will be treated as an unfulfilled fixture as per League Rule L3.E(i), however the offending team will not be deducted any league points.

Where a club postpones a higher team fixture they will be fined for that offence (see Fines Tariff) or otherwise dealt with by the League Management Committee and be liable for a deduction of three points as per League Rule L3.E(i).

iv. Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

v.In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Competition. Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixtures Secretary within 7 days the Competition shall have the power to order the Match to be played on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

vi. The Management Committee shall review all Competition 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 Competition Match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall award the points for the Competition Match to the opponent. In cases where a Competition Match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that Competition Match and it shall not be replayed. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned Competition Match.

vii. The Management Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA 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 League Rule L1.M above. Where both Teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

F

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used.

Each team shall provide a match sheet, which will be completed by them, including the forename(s) and surname of all players and substitutes (in block letters). The match sheets shall be handed to the referee not later than ten minutes before kick-off of the Competition Match.

The referee (and a representative of the opposing Club) shall be informed of the names of the Players taking part in the match (including the substitutes) not later than 10 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match.

A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of League Rule L1.

G

The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

H

The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who may wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of their teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Playing Season

L4. REPORTING RESULTS [BACK TO TOP]

A

The Registration Secretary must receive within 2 days of the date played (Monday 10.00pm), the match form (being the new match form published for the season 2023/2024 whereby each team is responsible for sending its own match form to the Competition of each Competition match by electronic mail to: matchforms@birminghamafa.co.uk or via other supported communication channels e.g Whatsapp

This must include the forename(s) and surname of the Team Players (in block letters) the date, the final score & the goal scorers. A photo/scan of the Match form is acceptable as long as it is a clear photo of the information required.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

B

The Home Club shall enter the result into FA Fulltime via the SMS message notification, or by using the FA Full-Time Login process to notify the result of each Competition Match by 6:00pm on the day, of the matches played on a Saturday and within 24 hours of Competition Matches played midweek.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

C

The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Club, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Reporting Results

L5. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP [BACK TO TOP]

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 Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favourable goal difference shall be placed highest).

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team that has won the most matches during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head to head Competition Matches during the Playing Season will be placed highest.

If the records of two or more Teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to determine the position of each then the Teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches under conditions as determined by the Management Committee.

B

Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 2 teams in each Division except in the case of Division 1, and the 2 bottom teams may be relegated to the immediate Division below, except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of SCOR Rule 2(M).

In exceptional circumstances a team may be promoted more than one division, subject to final approval by the Management Committee.

When a senior team is relegated to a lower division of which its lower team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such lower team must accept relegation to the next lower division.

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 Management Committee, to the next highest team or teams in the division concerned.

C

Not Adopted

D

In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee.

E

Not Adopted

Determining Championship

L6. MATCH OFFICIALS [BACK TO TOP]

A

Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.

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 Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match.

C

Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

D

The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.

E

Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff

Match Officials will be paid their fees by the home Club immediately after the Competition Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

In all cases where the Hon Referees Secretary appoints Assistant Referees their fee shall be paid by the home Club and the expense shared equally between the two Clubs. In the event that only one Assistant Referee is available the home Club will pay his fee and the expense shared between the two Clubs and the other Assistant Referee shall be provided by the home Club unless mutually agreed between the two captains.

F

In the event of a Competition 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 only. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

G

A referee not keeping their engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered.

H

Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition Match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on Full Time. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

I

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 FA/County FA.

Match Officials

L7. PREMIER DIVISION AND DIVISION ONE QUALIFICATION [BACK TO TOP]

A

The Premier Division shall comprise of no more than 14 clubs for first teams of adequate playing strength. Both the Premier Division and Division One will ensure adequate ground facilities, these being an acceptable and regularly maintained playing surface (grass and/ or 3g) with clear pitch markings, maximum size 120 yards by 80 yards, (110 by 75 metres), minimum size 110 yards by 65 yards (100 by 60 metres) with washing facilities and separate dressing rooms for each team and match officials.

B

Application to enter the Premier Division will be considered teams of Full Member Clubs already having these qualifications. The facilities of Premier Division clubs shall be reviewed annually by the Management Committee.

C

The Official Form stating details of their pitch or pitches and dressing room facilities etc. for the following season must be forwarded by the Club making the application to the Hon. Secretary to be received by 30th April.

D

A Club may not play a Premier Division match on a pitch otherwise than those entered on the Official Form without first obtaining permission to do so from the Management Committee.

E

The first-choice kit of any team competing in the Premier Division and Division One must be numbered.

Premier Division & Div 1 Qualifcation

L8. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES [BACK TO TOP]

League games may be postponed as a result of representative matches, if a team has more than one player in the Birmingham & District Football League representative side. Permission should be sought through the Hon. Fixtures Secretary.

Representitive Games

COMPETITION CUP RULES [BACK TO TOP]

ADDITIONAL RULES GOVERNING THE CHALLENGE CUP COMPETITIONS

C1.

The entire control of the above Competitions shall be vested in the Management Committee of the Birmingham and District Football League.

C2.

The Cups shall be called the “Birmingham and District Football League, Senior, Intermediate, Junior, Bill Hill, Norman Worskett (previously known as the Minor), Holder, Jeffs, Veterans and Youth Cups” respectively and shall not become the property of any one Club.

C3.

The Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer of the League shall be legal holders of the Cups in trust for the League.

C4.

The Competitions shall be annual and be open to Clubs who are members of the League, subject to the approval of the Management Committee.

Cup entrance fees shall be decided annually at the Annual General Meeting. No Club is eligible to play until it has paid its League subscription and Cup entry fees for the current season. The dates, with kick off times, on which the Cup ties for the following season shall be played, shall be fixed by the Management Committee and presented at the Annual General Meeting.

It is mandatory that all teams will be entered into all Cups for which they qualify, with the exception of the Youth and Veterans Cup Competitions.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

C5.

A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:

Registered through the F A Whole Game System only – (Player Registration System) and received approval from the Competition except in the case of a Player who has been registered on the day of the match. For any players registered on the day of a match, a Club Officer must email the Competition with details of the registration 4 hours prior to the scheduled kick off time in order for the Player to be eligible to play in that match. The Player shall not play again in any subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the Player through the F A Player Registration System and is in possession of the approval of the Competition.

Any registration that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed and the player classed as unregistered. If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via the Player Registration System, the registration will not be processed.

All Player profiles/registrations MUST have a recent up to date & clear image of the player attached to it - no obscurities permitted (i.e. Glasses, Hats etc.)

Failure to attach a photo to the profile will result in the registration being rejected.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

C6.

The names of the Clubs entered for the Competition shall be drawn for the first round for each cup at the August League Management meeting in couples at a time. The winners of the first round shall be drawn as in the first ties, and so compete until the final is played, when the winning Club shall hold the Cup for the current year. When byes are necessary in the first round of the competition, these byes shall first of all be allotted to the following Clubs, if eligible:

(a) The winner of the previous season

(b) The runner-up of the previous season

(c) The other two semi-finalists

(d) The four other quarter-finalists

The byes will be allocated section by section, as far as they permit. After the above have been duly allotted the draw shall proceed, and any other necessary byes being according to lot. The lots shall be drawn, and the Competition matches played as the Management Committee may determine, and immediately after each draw the President or designate shall intimate to the Club drawn the name of the Clubs it is drawn against, the date and time of kick-off. The first round of the Senior Cup shall be played between the entrants received from the lowest divisions of the League until all ties for this round have been exhausted.

C7.

The Home Team Secretary shall give the referee, assistant referees (if appointed) and visiting team notice as to situation of ground 5 clear days before the date of the match.Failure to do so will lead to a fine (see Fines Tariff).A Club or Clubs responsible for late kick-off shall be fined, failing a reasonable explanation in writing to be posted to the Hon. Secretary within three days of the date on which the tie was played (Sundays excluded). In the event of a tie being left unfinished, from any cause whatever, Management Committee shall have the power to deal with the matter.

C8.

Unless otherwise mutually arranged, the Clubs first drawn in the ballot shall have first choice of ground, except in the Final tie, which must be played on a neutral ground, unless otherwise mutually arranged between the Management Committee and the contending Clubs, but providing that no such arrangement is come to, the Management Committee shall appoint the ground.

In the case of drawn matches, where the extra half-hour or the taking of penalties is not possible, or is begun and not completed the matter will be referred to the Management Committee. Correspondence from both clubs may be requested. If the reason for the non-fulfilment of the tie is due to the late arrival of one of the teams only the tie may be awarded to the other team.

In the event of a tie being attempted to be played on two separate occasions and being postponed for any given reason it will be played on the ground of the second drawn team, who will bear the match costs as per Cup Rule C.9. If the tie is postponed on a further two occasions it will revert back to the original first drawn team, who will bear the match costs as per Cup Rule C.9. If the tie is postponed further the League Management Committee will decide where the tie is to be played and all match expenses will be shared.

All Cup Finals will be played to a result, extra time (shall be 15 minutes each way) if required and then penalty kicks (as laid down in the Laws of the Game) shall decide the tie. All Cup Finals shall be organised by a Cup Committee, being a Sub-Committee of the Management Committee.

C9.

The Hon. Referees Secretary shall appoint all referees up to and including the semi-finals and their fee shall be borne by the home Club. The competing teams will appoint assistant referees up to and including the quarter-finals. The Hon. Referees Secretary may however, at his discretion, appoint assistant referees where he believes this would be appropriate. In the semi-finals the Hon. Referee Secretary will appoint assistant referees. In all cases where the Hon. Referees Secretary appoints assistant referees their fee shall be paid by the home Club and the expense shared equally between the two Clubs. In the event that only one assistant referee is available the home Club will pay his fee and the expense shared between the two Clubs and the other assistant referee shall be provided by the home Club unless mutually agreed by the two captains. In the final tie, the Management Committee shall appoint referee and assistant referees from the names submitted by the Hon. Referees Secretary and they will receive a suitable award.

C10.

Any objection to the ground, goal-posts, crossbars, or any other appurtenances of the game, must be made to those responsible for the match before the time fixed for the kick-off. Any defect shall be remedied if possible without unduly delaying the game. Failing this the objections shall be made to the referee prior to the start and cannot be withdrawn without the consent of the Management Committee. All other protests or appeals must be intimated to the referee at the time the violation takes place and full particulars must be posted to the Hon. Secretary within three days thereafter (Sundays excepted), accompanied by a deposit, which may be forfeited should the protest not be sustained. If the Management Committee should subsequently discover that any rule or spirit of the rules has, in their opinion, been violated by mutual arrangement or otherwise by two Clubs or otherwise, it shall be in the power of the Management Committee to disqualify one or both from further competing in the ties or order the match to be replayed without any protest being entertained from either or any Club.

C11.

The Home Club shall have the field of play marked out; provide a minimum of two match balls and dressing accommodation. Goal nets, properly secured and corner posts must be used at all times. The matches shall be played according to the laws of the game. The size of the field of play for Semi-Final and Final ties shall be as follows: -Maximum 120 by 80 yards (110 by 75 metres) - minimum 100 yards by 65 yards (90 by 60 metres). All lines must be clearly defined according to Law 1 of the game.

C12.

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used, except to replace a player who has been dismissed by the referee for misconduct after play has commenced. The substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the referee has given permission.

In the Veterans Cup only, a Club may nominate and use five substitute players at any time in the match in the Competition. A player who has been substituted during the match himself becomes a substitute and may, in turn, replace another player, except to replace a player who has been dismissed by the referee for misconduct after play has commenced. The substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the referee has given permission.

Each team shall provide a match sheet, which will be completed by them, including the forename(s) and surname of all players and substitutes (in block letters). The match sheets shall be handed to the referee not later than ten minutes before kick-off of the Competition Match.

The referee (and a representative of the opposing Club) shall be informed of the names of the Players taking part in the match (including the substitutes) not later than 10 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match.

A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of League Rule L1.

A Player not named on the match sheet may not take part in that match. Any player who plays in the game and is not entered on the match sheet may be considered to be an ineligible Player and may be dealt with under League Rule L1.M.

C13.

The duration of the game shall be of two equal periods of 45 minutes. The interval at half time shall not exceed five minutes, except by special permission of the referee. In the event of a draw, after 90 minutes in any tie, two equal periods of 15 minutes should be played, but in the event of this not being possible due to circumstance beyond control, then the referee be empowered to reduce this to two equal periods of 10 minutes, and shall count as part of the game. If the scores are still level at the end of this period the tie shall be concluded by the taking of penalties as laid down in the Laws of the Game.

In the case of drawn matches, where the extra half-hour or the taking of penalties is not possible, or is begun and not completed the matter will be referred to the Management Committee. Correspondence from both clubs may be requested. If the reason for the non-fulfilment of the tie is due to the late arrival of one of the teams only, the tie may be awarded to the other team.

C14.

In the case of having two clubs having similar playing colours, the away club shall change to a distinguishing colour, the referee’s judgment and decision will be final. All shirt advertising carried by Clubs must confirm to Rules & Regulations laid down by the Football Association from time to time.

C15.

Any Clubs refusing to carry out fixtures and complaint being made to Hon. Secretary the case will be brought before the next meeting of the Management Committee. Any Club refusing or failing to play a Club against which it has been drawn on the date fixed for the round, (the exigencies of weather alone excepted), shall be adjudged to have lost the match unless otherwise sanctioned by the Management Committee. Failing a satisfactory reason for the non-fulfilment of fixture being given, the Club may be fined, the amount to be settled by the Management Committee. Offending Clubs may be ordered to pay referees fees, pitch fees and receipted expenses.

Notice of abandonments and postponements must be notified to the Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the appointed match officials by the Secretary of the home side by telephone no later than the date on which the game should have been played. It is the responsibility of all home teams (i.e. the first named on the fixture sheet) to ensure that visiting teams and referees do not travel unnecessarily. If there is any doubt about the fixture not being played due to the contingencies of the weather etc. each club must warn the opponents not later than 10:30 am on the match day and arrange for a telephone call no later than mid-day to confirm or postpone a game, where possible arranging for a local referee to assist in the decision.

C16. REPORTING RESULTS

A

The Registration Secretary must receive within 2 days of the date played (Monday 10.00pm), the match form (being the new match form published for the season 2023/2024 whereby each team is responsible for sending its own match form to the Competition of each Competition match by electronic mail to matchforms@birminghamafa.co.uk or via supported communication channels e.g Whatsapp. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the Team Players (in block letters) the date, the final score & the goal scorers. A photo /scan of the Match form is acceptable as long as it is a clear photo of the information required. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

B

The Home Club shall enter the result into FA Fulltime via the SMS message notification, or by using the F A Full-Time Login process to notify the result of each Competition Match by 6:00pm on the day, of the matches played on a Saturday and within 24 hours of Competition Matches played midweek.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

C

The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Club, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

C17.

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 Full Time. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

Any Club marking a referee 50 or below must submit a written explanation with the marking form.

C18.

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. All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification. Any Club failing to do so will be fined a maximum of £50.00. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional sum within 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding payments are settled.

C19.

All questions eligibility, qualifications of competitors, interpretations of the rules or laws, and any other matters in dispute, shall be referred to the Management Committee. Any Club or team found to be playing an ineligible player, for whatever reason, shall forfeit the tie unless otherwise ordered by the Management Committee. All other matters relating to interpretations of Laws and Rules and any dispute shall be referred to the Management Committee.

C20.

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-

“We (A) (name) and (B) (name), the Chairman and Secretary of FC (Limited), 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 December League Meeting. 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.”

Failure to return the trophy and its case (where appropriate) by this date in like order and condition shall result in a fine

The Management Committee shall have the power to withhold trophies at its discretion.

C21.

On the recommendation of the Officers and with the approval of the Management Committee other Cup Competitions may be arranged as necessary, subject to general rules plus additional qualifying rules where required being submitted to all clubs prior to the commencement of the competition.

C22.

The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with any matter not covered by these rules.

C23.

The 16 players named on the match sheet on the day of each Cup Final, for both finalists will receive either Cup winners/runners up medals/trophies as appropriate. Any player sent off during a Cup Final shall forfeit his right to receive his medal/trophy, subject to a successful County appeal.

C24.

PLEASE NOTE AS AND WHEN REQUIRED A YOUTH CUP WILL BE ARRANGED AND COMPETED FOR -

YOUTH CUP - For teams where only players who are under 21 years of age on the 1st day of August in the competing season, shall be eligible to take part in this Competition.

C25. QUALIFICATION RULES FOR CHALLENGE CUP COMPETITIONS

For all Challenge Cup competitions all players must be registered in the same season for the competing club prior to each match. With the exception of the Veterans Cup for the semi-final and final, the registration must be completed a clear twenty eight days or four games, whichever is less, prior to the playing of the tie. For the Veterans Cup players who play in the final tie must have played for the Veterans team in at least one previous game. No player shall play for more than one club in any one of the following competitions.

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use five substitute players in any match in these Competitions, with the exception of the Veterans Cup in which five substitutes are permitted, who may be selected from five players.

C.H. PATTEN (SENIOR CUP)

A Full Member Clubs most senior team within the League.

INTERMEDIATE CUP

A Member Clubs most senior team within the League, who are not members of the Premier Division of the League.

JUNIOR CUP

For second teams only. To be eligible for the semi-final or final players must have played for that team or a lower team at least twice. Players who have played twice in the Senior Cup and/or Intermediate Cup shall be ineligible to compete in the Junior Cup in the same season.

NORMAN WORSKETT CUP (previously MINOR CUP)

For third, fourth, fifth and sixth teams only. Players who have played twice in any of the following Competitions – Senior, Intermediate and Junior or any combination thereof, are ineligible to compete in the Minor Cup in the same season. Players are allowed to play for one team only in the Competition in any one season and to be eligible for the semi-final or final must have played for that team or a lower team at least twice.

HOLDER CUP

Full Member teams competing in divisions 1 (one) & 2 (two) of the League as drafted in the Constitution. Players are allowed to play for one team only in the Competition in any one season and to be eligible for the semi-final or final must have played for that team or a lower team at least twice.

BILL HILL CUP

Full Member teams competing in divisions 3 (three) & 4 (four) of the League as drafted in the Constitution. Players are allowed to play for one team only in the Competition in any one season and to be eligible for the semi-final or final must have played for that team or a lower team at least twice.

JEFFS CUP

Full Member teams competing in divisions 5 (five), 6 (six) & 7 (seven) of the League as drafted in the Constitution. Players are allowed to play for one team only in the Competition in any one season and to be eligible for the semi-final or final must have played for that team or a lower team at least twice.

V.B. HALE (VETERANS CUP)

For teams where only players who are over 35 on the day of the match, shall be eligible.

Competition Cup Rules

FINES TARIFF [BACK TO TOP]

MAXIMUM FINE

2 G - FAILURE TO AFFILIATE - £20

2 I - FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FA INITIATIVES - £20

2 K - UNAUTHORISED ENTRY OF TEAMS INTO COMPETITIONS - £20

3 - FAILURE TO OBTAIN CONSENT FOR A CHANGE OF CLUB NAME - £20

4 C - FAILURE TO PAY A DEPOSIT - £20

4 E - FAILURE TO PROVIDE AFFILIATION NUMBER/DETAILS FORM - £20

5 E - COMMUNICATIONS CONDUCTED BY PERSONS OTHER THAN NOMINATED OFFICERS - £20

5 F - FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT LEAGUE MEETING - £25

6 I - FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN INSTRUCTION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - £25

6 J - FAILURE TO PAY A FINE WITHIN REQUIRED TIMEFRAME - £50

8 H - FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT AGM - £25

9E - FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT SGM - £25

10 - FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR TO NOTIFY CHANGES TO SIGNATORIES - £20

11 A - FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL BEFORE DEADLINE - £100

11 B - FAILURE TO COMMENCE/COMPLETE FIXTURES - £100

13 A - FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TROPHY - £20

16 C - FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE - £20

18 A / L1.A - FAILURE TO CORRECTLY REGISTER A PLAYER - £20

18 B 3 / L1.B(iii) - FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF REGISTERED PLAYERS PRIOR TO THE SEASON COMMENCING - £20

18 F / L1.F - REGISTERING OR PLAYING FOR MULTIPLE CLUBS, OR INACCURATE COMPLETION OF A REGISTRATION FORM - £40

18 G 2 / L1.G(ii) - REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES - £20

18 K / L1.K - FIELDING MORE THAN THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SENIOR COMPETITIONS MATCHES - £20

18 L / L1.L - PLAYING MORE THAN 6 PLAYERS WHO HAVE ALREADY PLAYED 10 OR MORE 'SENIOR' GAMES - £20

18 M / L1.M - FIELDING AN UNREGISTERED OR OTHERWISE INELIGIBLE PLAYER - £20

18 N / L1.N - FAILURE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES - £20

19 A / L2.A - FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF COLOURS BY 31ST JULY - £20

19 B / L2.B - CHANGING COLOURS WITHOUT INFORMING COMPETITION SECRETARY - £20

19 C / L2.C - GOALKEEPER PLAYING IN COLOURS INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM OTHER PLAYERS OR OFFICIALS - £20

19 D / L2.D - GOALKEEPER PLAYING IN BLACK OR VERY DARK COLOURS - £20

19 E / L2.E - FAILING TO NOTIFY OPPONENTS OF CHANGE OF COLOURS - £20

19 F / L2.F - DELAYING KICK OFF DUE TO NO CHANGE OF COLOURS - £30

19 G / L2.G - FAILURE TO NUMBER SHIRTS - £20

20 A / L3.A - DELAYING KICK OFF - £30

20 B / L3.B - FAILURE TO PLAY MATCHES ON THE DATE FIXED - £60

20 C / L3.C - FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF A FIXTURE - £20

20 D / L3.D - PLAYING MATCH WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED NUMBER OF PLAYERS - £20

20 E 1 & 4 /L3.E(i) & (iv) -

FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE (First Offence) - £60

FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE (Second Offence) - £90

FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE (Third Offence) - £120

20 F / L3.F - FAILURE TO PROVIDE MATCH SHEET TO OPPOSITION AND/OR MATCH OFFICIAL - £20

20 H / L3.H - NO CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND - £20

21 A / L4.A - LATE PROVISION OF RESULT NOTIFICATION FORM - £20

21 B / L4.B - FAILURE TO PROVIDE RESULT - £20

21C / L4.C - RESULT NOTIFICATION NOT SIGNED BY APPROPRIATE SIGNATORIES - £20

23 C / L6.C - FAILURE TO PROVIDE CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREE - £20

23 E / L6.E - FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND EXPENSES - £20

23 F / L6.F - FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS WHERE A MATCH IS NOT PLAYED - £20

23 H / L6.H - FAILURE TO PROVIDE REFEREE’S MARK - £20

Fines Tariff

FEES TARIFF [BACK TO TOP]

4 A - CLUB ENTRY FEE - £25

4 B - CLUB/TEAM ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION - AGREED ANNUALLY

4 C - DEPOSIT - £100

7 C, 7 E, 7 G - PROTEST/APPEAL FEES - £5

7 I - APPEARANCE BEFORE THE LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - £25

18 D - PLAYER REGISTRATION FEE - NIL

18 H - TRANSFER FEE - £5

23 E - REFEREE FEES - £40

23 E - ASSISTANT REFEREE FEES - £20

Fees Tariff

MATCH RELATED RULES [BACK TO TOP]

THE FA REQUIRES ALL LEAGUES TO DISPLAY THE SCOR IN FULL WITHOUT REMOVAL OR AMENDMENT HOWEVER FOR MATCH RELATED RULES FOR THE BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLEASE REFER TO LEAGUE RULES LISTED ABOVE THIS SECTION

18. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

18.A

A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:

Registered through the Player Registration System and received approval from the Competition. except in the case of a Player who has been registered on the day of a match. For any players registered on the day of a match, a Club Officer must email the Competition with details of the registration [ ] hours prior to the scheduled kick off time in order for the player to be eligible to play in that match. The Player shall not play again in any subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration system and is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of [ ] Players may be registered in this manner.

Or

signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing which is countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Competition within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match. The Player shall not play again on a in a subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration System and is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of [ ] Players may be registered in this manner

Any registration that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed and the player classed as unregistered. If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via the Player Registration System the registration will not be processed.

For Clubs registering Players under Rule 18.A.2. registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. For Clubs registering Players by the Player Registration System, Clubs must access the Player Registration System in order to complete the registration process.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

18.B

1. Contract players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System. or Tiers 1-4 of the Women Pyramid System.

2. It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

3. Each team must have at least 11 Players registered 7 days before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

4. In the event of a Non Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, or with a Club in another Competition their registration as a Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 18.B.1.

18.C

A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) shall be permitted to register for a Club but will be suspended from football activities if the Player does not comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.

18.D

A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered.

18.E

The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall decide for which Club the Player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

18.F

It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to:

Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.
Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer, or where the Competition adopts rule 18.P
Submit a signed registration form as per Rule 18 A.2 or submit a registration through the Player Registration System that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

18.G

The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rules 18.G.2 and 18.G.3 below.
The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).
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 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

A Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule 18.G.3 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 may consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.

(Note: Action under Rule 18.G.3 shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. 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 any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)

18.H

Subject to compliance with FA Rule C when a Club wishes to register a player who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer notification to the Competition via the Player Registration System. A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff will be required.

Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition 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 Competition and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the 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 3 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.

18.I

A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after [date] except by special permission of the Management Committee

18.J

Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.

18.K

A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in Rule (22.A) unless the Player has played 2 Competition Matches for that Team in the current Playing Season.

18.L.

A Team shall not include more than 6 Players who has/have taken part in 10 or more senior Competition Matches during the current Playing Season unless a period of 21 days has elapsed since they last played.

For the purpose of this Rule a senior competition(s) is/are (see rules).

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

18.M

Subject to Rule 18.M.2 any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).
The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18.M.1 only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.

Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18.M.1 above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion order one or more of the following (if appropriate):

Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or
Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or
Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).

18.N

The following clause applies to Competitions involving Players in full-time secondary education:

Priority must be given at all times to activities of schools and school organisations. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The availability of children and young people must be cleared with the Head Teachers or Principals (except for Sunday leagues competitions).
To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.

18.O

A Player who has played for a Team in the Premier division 25 times or more shall not in that Playing Season be eligible to play in a lower division except by permission of the Management Committee.

18.P

If a Club wishes to cancel a Player’s registration within the Competition, it must make a request via The FA’s electronic player registration system giving the reasons for the request. The Competition may either approve or decline the request.

If a Player’s registration is cancelled, he/she will not be eligible to re-register in the Competition for a period of 14 days from the date of cancellation

19. CLUB COLOURS

19.A

Every team must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31st July and the Competition Secretary shall decide as to their suitability.

19.B

Any team changing its colours during the Playing Season must notify the Competition Secretary immediately.

19.C

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.

19.D

No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

19.E

Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents of the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper’s jersey) at least [ ] days before the Competition Match.

19.F

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

19.G

Shirts must all be numbered and no two shirts shall have the same number, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff

20. PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

20.A

All Competition 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 Competition 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 Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Match(es) on another ground.

Artificial Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches - https://footballfoundation.org.uk/3g-pitch-register. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.

The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20.C.

Within Regional NLS Feeder Leagues, all Competition Matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes. All other Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.

The times of kick-off shall be agreed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs and the Competition. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.

The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition If not provided. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

No overhead netting is allowed for 9v9 and 11v11 affiliated matches.

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are removed for all affiliated matches at Regional NLS Feeder League level.

For those leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are ideally removed for affiliated matches but if they cannot be removed then discretion is given to the match official to restart the match in accordance with the laws of the game.

20.B

Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally agreed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

20.C

An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the Ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing Club at least [ ] clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

20.D

In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players which will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7.

20.E

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 impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except by the award of goals.
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.
Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Competition Secretary, Fixtures Secretary & Referees Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
In the event of a Competition Match not being played or being abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Competition Failing such agreement and notification to the (Competition within [ ] days the Competition shall have the power to order the Match to be played on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition. the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
The Management Committee shall review all Competition 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 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 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 that neither Team will be awarded any points for that Match and it shall not be replayed. 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 FA 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 18.M above. Where both Teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

20.F

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used.

The referee [and a representative of the opposing Club] shall be informed of the names of the Players taking part in the Match (including the substitutes) not later than 10 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match.

A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition.

20.G

The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

20.H

The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who may wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of their teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21. REPORTING RESULTS

21.A

The Competition Registration Secretary must receive within 2 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). Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.B

The Home Club/both Clubs shall use telephone/SMS/email/ FA Full Time / FA Matchday as directed by the Competition to notify the result of each Competition Match to the [ ] by [ ]. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.C

The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Team, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

22. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

22.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 Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favourable goal difference shall be placed highest).

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team that has won the most matches during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head-to-head Competition Matches during the Playing Season will be placed highest.

If the records of two or more Teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to determine the position of each then the Teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches under conditions as determined by the Management Committee.

22.B

Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 2 Teams and automatic relegation shall be applied for the last [ ] Teams in each division except as provided for below subject to the provisions of Rule 2.L.

22.C

22.D

In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 22.D a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee.

22.E

23. MATCH OFFICIALS

23.A

Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.

23.B

1.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.

2. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match.

23.C

Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.D

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: No Club shall postpone a Competition match on account of the apparent state of the ground. In the event that such circumstances prevail, Clubs should comply with procedures provided for in the document published by The FA “Recommended procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions”. Should the ground be declared unfit it is the responsibility of the home Club to immediately advise the Competition, the Appointing Authority, the visiting Club and the Match Officials.

For those leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.

23.E

Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff

Match Officials will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club before/immediately after the Competition Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.F

In the event of a Competition 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 only. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee and expenses. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.G

A referee not keeping their engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered.

23.H

Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition 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 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

23.i

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 Sanctioning Authority.

Match Related SCOR