BRECKLAND & DISTRICT SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Breckland and District Sunday Football League

Formally Thetford and District Sunday League

Founded 1971

CONSTITUTION AND RULES

The Competition shall be conducted in accordance with the General Rules for Competitions as laid down by the Football Association, which are adopted by Norfolk County Football Association, together with special rules which have been approved by the Committee of the above Football Association.

STANDARD CODE OF RULES

The following rules have been compiled for the use of Competitions and are mandatory for all new Competitions and will be mandatory for all sanctions at Step 7 and below of the National League System as from Season 2002/2003.

Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity, putting them in the correctly numbered Rule and showing the Standard Headings.

CLUBS TO NOTE

In order to preserve the status and good name of the Breckland and District Sunday Football League, rules governing the Competition will be strictly adhered to and enforced by the League’s elected Officials and the Management Committee.

Copies of the League Rules are provided to each Club in membership and ignorance of any particular rule will not be accepted as an excuse for breaking that rule.

Club Secretaries are therefore urged to consult the League Rules frequently so that unnecessary fines and penalties imposed by the Management Committee can be avoided.

LEAGUE RULES QUICK REFERENCE

RULE

1. NOMENTURE & CONSTITUTION

2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

3. OFFICERS

4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

9. CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME

10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTIONS

11. REPORTING RESULTS

12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

13. REFEREES

14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

16. BOARD OF APPEAL

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

18. TROPHIES, LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS

19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

20. ALTERATION OF RULES

21. RULES BINDING CLUBS

22. FINANCE

The League Rules, as published below, will be vigorously applied

LEAGUE RULES

1. NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

(a) This Competition shall be designated the Breckland and District Sunday Football League and shall consist of not more than 36 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs. All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be listed annually by the appointed date on the Form ‘D’ issued by the Norfolk County Football Association/Suffolk County Football Association, as appropriate. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be a radius of 20 miles from the centre of Thetford. The Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Norfolk County Football Association and the constitute teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions each not exceeding 12 in number. Member Clubs who have accepted Membership of this Competition shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.

(b) At the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have the power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.

(c) All member clubs shall have a committee consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer and up to 3 other members, all elected at an Annual General Meeting.

2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(a) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £20.00 per team, which will be returned in the event of non-election. At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. The entry fee shall apply. When Rule 12 (b) is applied or a team seeks a transfer or is compulsory transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable.

(b) The Annual Subscription shall be £50.00 per Club, payable on or before 1st August in each year.

(c) Each Club shall within seven days of election pay a Deposit of £25.00 which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition providing they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

(d) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid.

(e) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary, in writing, or on the prescribed form, by the date of the Annual General Meeting, details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition, failing which they shall be fined £5.00.

3. OFFICERS

(a) The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Registration Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary, Results Secretary and Discipline//Rules Officer to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).

4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

(a) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and Committee Members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All participants shall abide by The Football Associations Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Association from time to time.

(b) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of Management Committee Members shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by Secretaries of two Member Clubs not later than 30th April in each year. Names of candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

(c) The Management Committee shall meet monthly or as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises.

On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.

(d) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(e) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Chairman and/or Secretary.

5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

(a) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association.

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

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

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

(d) The Management Committee shall have the powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall have the jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of the Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.

(e) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

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

(f) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three Members shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.

(g) The Management Committee, as is deemed necessary, shall have the power to fill, in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

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

(i) All fines and charges shall be paid within fourteen days of the date of posting (email version acceptable) of the written notification.

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

(j) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

(k) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

(l) No participant under the age of eighteen can be fined.

(m) Failure to pay fines by the due date will result in the fine being doubled and failing due a further 7 days. Should the fine remain unpaid 21 days after the original notice being issued, the Club fixtures will be withdrawn until the full amount is paid. The Club will be liable to the full consequences of failing to fulfil any fixtures as detailed in Rule 10 (c) and (f). The fine should be paid direct to the League Officer detailed on the notice. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this rule shall be liable to such further penalties the League Management Committee thinks fit to impose. Clubs will not be given the opportunity to pay the original amount once the 14 and 21 days period have been breached.

(n) Clubs found guilty of a second and third repeats of the same offence shall be liable to have the amount of the fine doubled on each occasion. Clubs found guilty of a fourth repeat offence will have their fixtures suspended immediately until the Club can prove to the League Management Committee that their administrational issues have been resolved. Clubs would also be fined for failing to fulfil fixtures.

(o) Any Club who has fixtures suspended by the NCFA or SCFA will be liable to the full consequences of failing to fulfil any fixtures as detailed in Rule 10 (c).

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later that the 30th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least two thirds of Members are present and entitled to vote:-

1. To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.

2. To consider any business arising therefrom.

3. To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

4. Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).

5. Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

6. Election of Officers and Management Committee.

7. Appointment of Auditors.

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

9. Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season.

10. Other business of which due notice shall be given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

(b) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Norfolk County Football Association.

(c) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Norfolk County Football Association within fourteen days of adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(d) Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than fourteen days notice shall be given of any meeting.

(e) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote on matters relating to the season being concluding. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.

(f) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot is demanded by at least two thirds of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.

(g) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.

(h) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given. shall be fined £35.00. All Clubs must, prior to the Meeting, deposit with the Secretary the names of their members present.

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

7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

(a) The Chairman and Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following Agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

We, A............... of............... (Chairman) and B............... of............... (Secretary) of the............... Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Breckland and District Sunday

Football 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 appeal in accordance with Rule 16.

Any alteration of the Chairman and/or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Norfolk County Football Association (Suffolk County Football Association as appropriate) to which the Club is affiliated and the Secretary of the Competition.

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

(b) All Clubs will be subject to Competition Rules once elected at the Annual General Meeting inclusive of any friendlies (excepting Rule 10 (g)).

8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(a) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.

Note: A contract player is one who has entered into a written contract with a Club in membership with the Football Association or an Affiliated Association.

(b) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible has:-

1. Signed a fully, and correctly completed Competition form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and has been registered with the Registrations Secretary four days prior to playing and whose registration confirmation has been received prior to playing.

2. Club Officials authorised to register players - Secretary and Chairman. Managers and any other official are not permitted to register players. Registrations received from any other person will be invalid. Confirmation (email version) will be sent to the registered Club’s email address on file as retainable proof that the player has been registered. An alternative email address of one of the appointed Club officials may be typed in place of the Club’s registered email address if that is the person who collates the Club’s records. The address must have been registered with the Competition with the Club’s details. Should it be proven that the address is not that of an appointed official the player registration will be deemed invalid.

(c) Omitted

(d) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the League without first proving to the Officials of the intended Club that the player discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club Official may not accept a player’s signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.

(e) A fee of £1 shall be paid for each player registered.

(f) The Management Committee shall decide on all registration disputes.

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

(g) It shall be a breach of rule for a player to:-

1. Play for more than one Club in the League in the same season without first being transferred.

2. Having signed for one Club in the League sign for another Club in the League in that season except for the purpose of transfer.

3. Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player has wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(h) The Management Committee:-

1. Shall have the power to accept the registration of any player.

2. Shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except those under 18 years of age, at their discretion, who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16)

3. Shall have the power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or relevant County Football Association.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident or repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered with.

(Note: Any action under clause 3 shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association and then only in cases of a player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be consider where a player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.

(i) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registrations Secretary accompanied by a transfer fee of £2.00. Such transfer shall be referred by the Registrations Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Registrations Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or seven days after receipt of such transfer. In the event of any objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

(j) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 1st March except by special permission of the Management Committee.

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

(l) A register containing the names of all player registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary, and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee Meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only.

In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the Competition again either for his original Club or another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule.

(m) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12 (a) (4) unless the player has played five games for that team in this Competition in the current season.

(n) Omitted

(o) Any team playing an unregistered player or otherwise ineligible player or players:-

1. Shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and will be fined £20.00.

2. In addition the team may have three points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.

3. The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.

(p) The following applies to players in full-time secondary education:-

1. Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.

2. The availability of children must be cleared with Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues).

3. To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of sixteen.

(Note: For players under age of 18 years the provisions contained in Football Associations Rules will apply).

(q) A suspended player is not eligible to sign a Registration or Transfer form. It shall be the duty of the Official of the Club, or others instructed by them, that when approaching a player with a view to registering him, to first ascertain whether such player has signed a Breckland and District Sunday Football League Player Registration form with the Competition, and the signing of such player, if found to be already registered with the Competition, shall be dealt with under Clause (g) (2) of this Rule.

(r) Any Club or Member of a Club, inducing or attempting to induce a bona fide player of another Club in the Competition to leave his Club without giving seven days notice in writing to his Club Secretary, shall be referred to the County FA. The approaching Club shall not give notice of intention to approach more than one player of the same Club within twenty-eight days of prior notice.

(s) All Clubs participating in the Competition must have sixteen players registered for each team with the Competition fourteen days prior to commencement of the season. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £2.00 for each missing registration.

9. CLUB COLURS, CLUB NAME

(a) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by the date of the Annual General Meeting who shall decide their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the referee.

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

Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least four days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the Referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £15.00.

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

Shirts must be numbered.

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

(c) All Clubs are responsible for finding their own pitch the dimensions of which must conform to those stipulated in the Laws of the Game.

(d) Each team must provide Linesmen Flags, Whistle and First Aid kit, which will be randomly inspected with the player’s registration by a member of the Management Committee.

(e) Club’s finances must be held in accounts in the name of said Club.

(f) Any Club failing to comply with a, b, c, d, e, of this Rule shall be fined £15.00 for each breach.

10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY,

TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES

(a) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season shall be in accordance with Football Associations Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.

(b) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have the power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have the power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. All matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 70 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting or by the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined £15.00 or otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee determine. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report late starts to the Competition. The home team must provide at least 2 footballs fit for play and the Referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Well maintained goal nets, correctly secured, must be used. Correct flag posts (minimum 5ft high with non-pointed tops and flags attached) correctly positioned must be used. The Referee should make a report to the Competition if well maintained goal nets, and correct flag posts are not provided and field markings are not clear or safe. If the home teams fails to adhere to any of the requirements they shall be fined £15.00 and/or dealt with as deemed necessary by the Management Committee.

The consumption of alcohol around the field of play by any Team’s Players, Members, Officials, Loyal Followers or Supporters before, during or immediately after the match is strictly forbidden. The referee shall make a report (email version acceptable) to the Competition if they witness the consumption of alcohol.

(c) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Postponements from any cause shall first receive the sanction of the Management Committee and must be notified in writing together with a £25.00 administration fee to the League Secretary, to be received 28 days preceding the game. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary.

(d) The Secretary of the Home must give notice of full particulars of the location of and access to, the ground and time of kick-off, change of team colours to the match officials and Secretary of the opposing Club, at least four clear days prior to the playing of the match. A Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £15.00.

(e) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than eleven players they may be fined £2.00 for each missing player. A minimum of seven players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

(f) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have the power to impose a fine of £25.00, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have the power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground, or the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that action is warranted by the circumstances.

Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the Fixtures Secretary, Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.

In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixtures Secretary within seven days the Management Committee shall have the power to order the match on a named date or on or before a given date.

The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club Member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams and or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.

(g) A Club may, at its discretion, and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use any three substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from a maximum of five players. The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than ten minutes before the start of the match. A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to be a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(h) The half time interval shall be of five minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(i) Fixtures may, at the discretion of the Management Committee, become Double Header Fixtures. Double Header fixtures consist of two separate matches of 70-minutes (two equal halves of 35 minutes) to be played on the Home ground of the first named team. The result of each separate match must be reported as detailed in Rule 11. Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid 1.5 of the fee, plus travelling expenses as detailed in Rule 13 (e). All matches expenses to be shared equally between both Clubs.

(Notes: These are arranged when certain teams start to suffer a back log of fixtures. A player dismissed in the first game is eligible to play in the second game).

11. REPORTING RESULTS

(a) The Registration Secretary must receive within three days of the date played the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include:-

1. Name of Home and Away Teams.

2. Match result.

3. Referee’s name.

4. Referee’s markings required by Rule 13.

5. Forename(s), Surname of the team players, (the players names must correspond with the number on their shirts and must be printed in block letters), and signature, plus any other information required by the League.

6. Member Clubs must in addition to meeting relevant BADSFL instructions also complete a result sheet/card containing the above information for all County Cup Competitions.

7. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £15.00.

(b) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match in to the Results Secretary within one hour of completion of the match. Any Club failing to do so shall be fined £15.00.

(c) The match result notification, correctly completed shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have the power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.

(d) If a member of the Management Committee has to telephone the Secretary of the Club for any information required by para (a), and (b), they will be charged £5.00 Administration Fee.

12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

(a) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point awarded for a draw. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings may be decided in any one or more of the following ways:-

1. Goal average

2. Goal difference

3. Goals scored

4. Deciding match(s) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.

(b) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division except as provided for herein under:-

1. Should one or more teams withdraw from anyone division after fixtures have commenced an equal number of teams of those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.

2. Vacancies occurring after conclusion of the season may be filled on any the following ways:-

(a) Retention of otherwise relegated team(s)

(b) Additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below

(c) Election

3. The last team in the lowest Division shall retire but be eligible for re-election except as below, and subject to conditions of para (b) (1) above.

(c) In the event of a Club not completing all of its fixtures for the season, all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Club shall be expunged from the Competition table.

13. REFEREES

(a) Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and the sanctioning Association.

(b) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee or in cases where there are no officially appointed referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee.

(c) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £15.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team.

(d) The appointed Referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of the ground, the Representative of the body is the sole arbitor and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.

(e) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a fee of £22.00 and travelling expenses shall be in accordance with the scale detailed by NCFA. The Home Club shall pay the Referee immediately after the game. Assistant Referees (where appointed) shall be paid a fee of £15.00 and travelling expenses shall be in accordance with the scale detailed by NCFA. Each Club shall pay the Assistant Referee immediately after the game.

(f) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee plus expenses only. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

(g) A referee not keeping his/her engagement, and failing to give satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she is registered.

Note: The Home Club shall report the non-appearance, in writing, (copied to the Competition Secretary) to the County FA Referees Secretary.

(h) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by the Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management shall determine. The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and on the form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to the County Association.

(j) Omitted

(k) Referees shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF CLUB

(a) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and in fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £50.00.

All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by 31st March.

(b) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the Annual General Meeting held not later than 30th June the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £75.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5 (b). .

(c) In the event of a Member Club which is an un-incorporated association withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition. In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.

(d) In the event of a club withdrawing from the League at any time during the season or at its close all the players registered with the Club at the time of its withdrawal shall be restricted from signing for any other Club until such time as the League is satisfied that the defaulting Club are clear of any financial liability to the League or any other creditor.

(e) In the event of a Club being excluded from further participation in the BADSFL, or any Sunday League, then no more than two players registered with the Club at the time of its exclusion may register for any single Club within the League for a period to be determined by the Management Committee.

15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

(a) 1. All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.

2. Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(b) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the League Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

(c) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be refereed for determination by the Management Committee whose decision will be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

(d) No protest or complaint of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £25.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing the case. The Competition shall have the power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

(e) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.

16. BOARD OF APPEAL

Within fourteen days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee of the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Norfolk County Football Association (Suffolk County Football Association) as appropriate, including a fee of £50.00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.

No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the grounds of unconstitutional conduct.

17. EXLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

(a) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership, which must be supported by (more than) two thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(b) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(c) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the League to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (a) and (b) of this Rule.

(d) Any Club or Team failing to complete all of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds (2/3rds) of votes cast) be debarred from membership of the following season.

18. TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

(a) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy or other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide, or if not dealt with as the sanctioning Association may decide.

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

“We A ............... and B ............... the Chairman and Secretary of................. FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of............... Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby, on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before the March 1st. 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.”

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

(c) At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special Meeting.

The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

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

Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be find £35.

Officers, Management Committee Members shall be entitled to attend and vote at a Special General Meeting

All amendment to Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority.

20. ALTERATION TO RULES

Alteration shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31st March each year. The proposal, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 14th April and any amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if two-thirds (a majority) of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association twenty-eight (28) days prior to the date of the meeting. Any Alterations or Additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until approval of the Association issuing sanction shall be obtained.

21. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the forgoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association and/or Competition Code of Conduct, as determined by the Football Association and/or Breckland and District Sunday Football League from time to time.

22. FINANCE

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

(b) All expenditure shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(c) The financial year of the Competition will end on 31st May each year.

(d) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

(e) All cheques must be made payable to BADSFL and in all circumstances payment by cheque to the Competition will only be deemed to have been made after the cheque has been cleared at the bank. All bank charges incurred by the Competition if cheques are not met will be passed on to the defaulting club. Cheques with incorrect payee’s name will be returned.

The Breckland and District Sunday Football League

Cup Competitions Regulations

LEAGUE KNOCK-OUT CUP (FLORIDA TROPHY)

1. The Competition

The Competition shall be designated “The League Open Knock-Out Cup” and known as “The Florida Trophy”.

2. Ownership

The Custodian of Trophies of the League shall be for all intents and purposes the legal owner of the Cup in Trust for the League.

3. Control and Management

The entire management and control of the Competition shall be vested in the Breckland and District Sunday Football League Management Committee, who shall delegate the work to the Competition Sub Committee, who shall have power to deal with any matter for which no provision has been made in these Rules. Except where the words ‘Secretary of the Breckland and District Sunday League’ are used the words ‘Competitions Secretary’ shall mean the Secretary from whom the Club/Team received the competition draw.

4. Notice

(a) Clubs which enter and withdraw before the First Round will be considered as not having played and shall be fined £20.00. The entry fee shall not be returned.

(b) Any Club in default of its own engagement shall be fined £20.00 plus reasonable expenses incurred and will take no further part in the Competition. The Competition Sub Committee in addition to imposing a fine, may, at their own discretion, award the match to the opponents of the defaulting Club.

(c) For a Knock-Out Competition to be held there must be a minimum of six Clubs or Teams actually play in the Competition.

5. Club Eligibility

(a) All Clubs in membership with the Breckland and District Sunday League must enter this Competition.

(b) The Competition’s Sub Committee may reject the entry of any Club, if they deem such a course advisable.

6. Qualification of Players

A player shall be eligible to play in the Competition providing he possesses the following qualifications:-

(a) He is a bona fide player of the Club/Team for the current season.

(b) A bona fide player is one who is a registered player for that Club/Team which is affiliated to the Breckland and District Sunday Football League.

(c) He must have played in at least five (5) games sanctioned by the Breckland and District Sunday Football League for his Club/Team to be eligible to play in either the semi-finals or final of a Knock-Out Competition except where a player has registered on a Player Registration Form dated prior to 15th October.

(d) Players playing in the Competition may play for only one Club or one Team of a Club in any season, i.e. first or reserve.

(e) Clubs shall be fined £20.00 (per player) if found to have played an ineligible or suspended player(s). In addition to the fine the Competition Sub Committee, may in cases where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to any Clubs, shall be empowered to order the result of the match to be recorded and award the tie to the winner, order the match to be replayed or the Club(s) expelled from the competition. The offending Club(s) may also be responsible for any expenses incurred and the Competition Sub Committee may also impose an appropriate penalty against the player(s).

(f) No player shall be eligible for more than one team in each of the Knock-Out Competitions in any one season.

(g) The playing of an unregistered or suspended player in an earlier round shall not validate that player’s eligibility.

7. The Drawing

The names of the Clubs/Teams entered in the Competition shall be placed in one lot, unless otherwise decided, and drawn therefrom in couples. The two Clubs/Teams drawn together shall compete with each other; the names of the winning Clubs/Teams in the round shall be drawn together in the same way, and so on until the Final Tie is played when the winning Club/Team shall hold the cup for the current year. The first drawn Club/Team of each couple shall play on their recognised home ground, except where if otherwise decided by the Competition Sub Committee and in the Final. If the ground of the first drawn Club/Team is not available, other than adverse weather conditions or more Senior County Cup games, on the fixed date, the match must be played on their opponent’s ground.

If a match is not completed, and neither side is at fault, the match will be played on a ground decided by the toss of a coin, on the day of abandonment, by the referee. If one or both sides were at fault for non-completion of the tie, the Competitions Sub Committee shall adjudicate.

The duration of each match shall be one hour and a half and the referee shall allow for any time which he considers has been wasted either owing to accident or other cause. The interval at half-time shall not exceed ten (10) minutes, except by permission of the referee. If a match is a tie after one hour and a half, an extra thirty (30) minutes must be played and if the match is still a tie, the match will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with regulations laid down by the International Board. Subject to any decision in accordance with paragraph three (3) of this Rule, a match, if not played, shall be replayed.

In the Semi-Finals and the Final, if the game is a tie after one hour and a half, and extra thirty (30) minutes must be played and if the match is still a tie, the match will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with regulations laid down by the International Board.

8. Notice of Drawing

Immediately after each drawing the Secretary of the Breckland and District Sunday Football League or the Secretary of the Competitions Sub Committee shall intimate the result to the Clubs/Teams drawn and the date on which the ties must be played. The date of all rounds shall be fixed by the Competitions Sub Committee, but may be altered at any time if the Competitions Sub Committee so determine.

9. Notice of Result

Each Club shall give notice of the result in accordance with BADSFL Rule 11.

10. Preliminary Rounds, Semi Finals and Final

All Preliminary Rounds and Semi-Finals to be played on the first-named Club’s/Team’s ground and both Club’s/Team’s to share ground hire costs and expenses of all officials. The Final shall be played on a ground to be determined by the Competitions Sub Committee. The Competitions Sub Committee shall have direct control of all arrangements for the Final.

11. Trophy Agreement

On receipt of the Cup all responsibility of such Cup is that of the said Club/Team as detailed in BADSFL Rule 18.

12. Medals

In addition to the Cup the BADSFL shall have power to award medals to members of the winning team and the runners-up if the funds of the BADSFL permit. When a player is sent from the field of play for misconduct during the Final the memento shall be withheld until the Competitions Sub Committee have considered whether the player shall receive such memento.

13. Referees

Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Competitions Sub Committee and the sanctioning Association. The Competition Sub Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or on application by two competing Clubs/Teams, appoint Registered Referees, if available, as Assistant Referees to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Club/Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee (not a named substitute player). Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00 being imposed on the defaulting Club/Team.

14. Expenses

Match Officials appointed under Rule 13 shall be paid a fee of £22.00. Travelling expenses shall be in accordance with the scale detailed by NCFA. Notwithstanding Rule 10, The Home Club/Team shall pay the Referee and Assistant Referees (where appointed) shall be paid a fee of £15.00 immediately after the game. Travelling expenses shall be in accordance with the scale detailed by NCFA. The away Club/Team shall pay the Home Club/Team half (50%) of the total match fees (pitch costs, official’s fees and travelling expenses) immediately after the game. All Clubs/Teams are responsible for their own transport.

15. Powers of the Competition Sub Committee

(a) The Competition Sub Committee shall have the power to apply, act upon, and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for by the Rules. Unless stated to the contrary in the foregoing paragraphs 1 to 8, the Laws of the Game, the International Board Decisions relating thereto, and Rules governing the Breckland and District Sunday Football League, in so far as they can, shall apply to the Competition.

(b) The decisions of the Competition Sub Committee, on all relating to the Breckland and District Sunday Football League Knock-Out Competition shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal.

(c) All fines and costs shall be paid to the Breckland and District Sunday Football League within fourteen (14) days of the date of notice to the Club/Team. Any Club/Team failing to pay any fine and/or cost shall be dealt with by the Breckland and District Sunday Football League Management Committee as provide for by BADSFL Rule 5 (h) and (i).

TROPHY and SHIELD COMPETITION RULES (WHEN INCLUDED IN SEASON’S CALENDAR)

PETER PAGE MEMORIAL TROPHY

1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘Peter Page Memorial Trophy’.

2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.

BILL COX TROPHY

1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘Bill Cox Trophy’.

2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.

PAT BALAAM TROPHY

1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘Pat Balaam Trophy’.

2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.

THE PRESIDENTS SHIELD

1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘The Presidents Shield’.

2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

League Disciplinary Policy

1. Except where otherwise detailed all correspondence, concerning League business, including complaints and protests must be received in writing, (email version acceptable) signed by either the Club Chairman or Secretary, must be addressed to the League Secretary. If correspondence, complaints or protests are received from a club member who is not the Chairman or Secretary. There have been some past incidences of clubs sending in complaints or protests without paying the appropriate fee. In such cases it will be returned to the sender explaining the correct procedure to be followed.

2. If a complaint is received from a member of the public, an acknowledgement will be sent notifying the individual of our agreed policy, informing them they would need to make the complaint through the appropriate channels direct to the Club’s parent County FA.

3. All complaints to be responded to by an acknowledgement of receipt, this would indicate the complaint will be investigated by the County FA.

5. All queries concerning fixtures should be addressed to the Fixture Secretary and the correct contact for Player Registration queries is the Registration Secretary. The Official Match Record Team Sheet should also be sent to the Registration Secretary by either First Class mail, Email Version Acceptable or Hand Delivered, to arrive no later than the following matchday Wednesday as he is responsible for the league table and individual player’s record of appearances, goals scored and discipline (red and yellow cards accumulated). All matters concerning fines should be addressed to the Disciplinary Officer, please note the League cannot take action on fines distributed by Norfolk County FA or Suffolk County FA.

Please remember that this league always starts at 10.30am (excepting when pitch availability demands a later start) and then only when authorised by the Fixture Secretary. It is one of the major points you need to get across to your players to avoid unwanted fines for late kick-offs.

Please pay Referees Fees promptly. The referees should be paid their match fee plus travel expenses immediately after the match. Referees don’t like to ask for their money and your prompt action will avoid embarrassment. The referee’s fee is the duty of the home team for League matches and both teams share all match expenses in BADSFL Cup and Trophy games.

Your matchday results must be phoned in to the Fixture Secretary by the home team as soon as possible after the match, certainly No later than 1.30pm. County Cup results must also be phoned through to the Fixture Secretary No later than 1.30pm.

The majority of league business will be conducted with club secretaries by email. Receipt of all emails titled ‘BADSFL Formal Notification’ MUST be acknowledged to the originating Officer.

Fines Administered by the League

If your club falls foul of the League Rules, you WILL receive a fine, administered by the league’s appointed Disciplinary Officer. If you feel the fine is unjust, you should take the following action:

1) Pay the fine in full by the date stated on the fine notice.

2) Adopt the procedure outlined in Rule 15 (d).

3) All correspondence must come from the club chairman or secretary.

4) Please do not ignore the fine, or refuse to pay. This comes under rule as failing to deal with league business and it incurs a further fine. There have been some past incidences of clubs sending in appeal letters without paying the fine or appeal fee and some letters of appeal have not come from the club chairman or secretary. Should your appeal be successful, your appeal fee and fine are returned in full.

Please bear in mind that dealing with the Competition should be the same as dealing with the County FA. They would not accept any appeal from anyone but the club chairman or secretary and no appeal fee means no appeal hearing.

Fair Play Award

To ensure a fairer approach in determining the recipient of the award the following procedure is strictly adhered to. Entering ‘cautions’ and ‘send offs’ when completing the Official Match Record Team Sheet.

When a player is dismissed for two cautions entering it as C x2 (2 points) and not as SO. When a player receives a single caution it as C (1 point). When a player receives a straight red card enter as SO (3 points).

Code of Conduct

Clubs are required to acquaint all their members with the BADSFL’s Code of Conduct for Football.

The provision to introduce a Breckland and District Football League Code of Conduct for Football is contained in Rule 21.

Preface

Football is one of the National Games. All those involved with the game at every level and whether as a player, match official, manager, administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance of the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains high. The code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of the Breckland and District Sunday Football League. The BADSFL Code does not supersede The Football Association ‘A Code of Conduct for Football as detailed in the NCFA Handbook, but has been introduced to address areas of major concern and to protect the image and integrity of the Breckland and District Sunday Football League.

Definition

In general terms, a code of conduct is a document that advises a group of people on their accepted level of behaviour or discipline. It is necessary within sport in order to protect participants through agreement of a set of safety procedures. The code can also serve to provide guidance on ‘fair play’ in order to maintain a correct sporting ethos.

BADSFL Code of Conduct for Football

In association with the FA Respect Programme

1. A Participant shows understanding of respect of the Laws of the Game.

2. A Participant supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive.

3. A Participant behaves on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results.

4. A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in a manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use

any one, or combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.

5. A Participant shall not carry out any act which is discriminatory by reason of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex sexual orientation or disability.

Football Debt Recovery

The Breckland and District Sunday Football League will adopt the procedure as detailed in the Norfolk County Football Association Handbook to recover unpaid fines, costs and monies owed to the League.

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