The North West Under 21 Development League

2024-25 Season

League Rules and Fines Handbook

Contents

• Committee Contact details.
• Dates of Meetings
• Honours
• League Rules
• Fine and Tarrifs

As attachments

• Emergency Player Registration Form
• Guidance for Marking your Referee.

League Management Committee - Contact Details

Chairman

Andy Ollerenshaw

Email: chairman@northwestu21.co.uk    

Vice Chairman / Referee Appointments Officer

Andy Worthington

Mobile: 07733 177187

E-mail: refsec@northwestu21.co.uk

Treasurer

Sara Glover

E-mail: treasurer@northwestu21.co.uk 

League Secretary

Stuart Crawford

Mobile: 07885 643040

E-mail: secretary@northwestu21.co.uk   

Vice Secretary/ Sanctioning/ Fixtures

Ian Battersby

Mobile: 07855 453868

E-mail:discipline@northwestu21.co.uk 

Championship A & B

Tom Fox

E-mail: east@northwestu21.co.uk 

Discipline Committee

Sara Glover/ Roger Andrew

E-mail: Discipline@northwestu21.co.uk

Fixtures Secretary

Ian Battersby/ Tom Fox
E-mail: fixtures@northwestu21.co.uk

Team Sheets:
E-mail: teamsheets@northwestu21.co.uk 

Full Council Meetings

The below dates are provisional dates for full council meetings in the coming season. These dates, times and venues are subject to change, at least 14 days’ notice will be given of all meetings.

Full Meeting – 6th August All clubs compulsory attendance

Full Meeting – December TBC all clubs compulsory attendance

Honours 

Premier Division

2023-24 Stalybridge Celtic

2022-23 Bootle

2021-22 Macclesfield FC U21 (Firsts)

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 Salford City

2017-18 Irlam FC

2016-17 Irlam FC

2015-16 Irlam FC

Championship A (Formerly East Division)

2023-24 Curzon Ashton

2022-23 Hyde United

2021-22 Steven Gerrard Academy

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 Warrington Town

2017-18 Sale United

2016-17 Broadheath Central

Championship B (Formerly West Division)

2023-24 Curzon Ashton

2022-23 Vauxhall Motors

2021-22 Bootle

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 Winstanley Warriors

2017-18 Newton-le-Willows

2016-17 Garswood United

2015-16 West Kirby & Wasps

2014-15 St Helens Town

2013-14 Nantwich Town

League Challenge Cup

2023-24 Stalybridge Celtic

2022-23 Hyde United

2021-22 No Competition held.

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 Irlam FC

2017-18 Southport FC

2016-17 Irlam FC

2015-16 Southport FC

Premier Division Cup

2023-24 No competition held.

2022-23 No competition held.

2021-22 No competition held.

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 No Competition

2017-18 Southport FC

2016-17 Irlam FC

2015-16 Rochdale AFC

Championship Division Cup

2023-24 No competition held.

2022-23 No competition held.

2021-22 No competition held.

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2018-19 Winstanley Warriors

2017-18 Glossop North End

2016-17 Garswood United

2015-16 West Kirby & Wasps

2014-15 Malpas FC

2013-14 Vale Juniors (Congleton)

Championship Division Promotion Playoff

2023-24 Warrington Town

2022-23 Radcliffe

2021-22 Glossop North End

2020-21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2019-20 Season cancelled due to COVID-19

2017-18 Neston Nomads

2016-17 Daten FC

Supplementary Cup

2023-24 Huyton

2020-21 St Michaels DHFC

League Rules

DEFINITIONS

1.   (A) In these Rules:

“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an affiliated Association under the Rules of The FA.

 “AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

 “Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.

“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one Team in a division in accordance with the Rules.

“Competition” means the North West U21 Development League.

“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.

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

“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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

“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 Competition] [the Cheshire County Football Association Limited].

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

“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking part in a Competition match are listed.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

 “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.

COMPETITION NAME AND CONSTITUTION

2.   (A) The Competition will be known as the North West Under 21 Development 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 thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

(B) This Competition shall consist of not more than 50 Clubs approved by the Sanctioning Authority.

(C) The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be the North West of England.

(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.

(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 thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 7.

(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 Cheshire County Football Association and the constituent Teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 16 in the Premier and 14 in the Championship(s) in number.

          (H) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination:

                 1.   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).

                 2.   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.

                 3.   Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.

          (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 Tarriff.             

          (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.

(K) Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of one external FA or 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 Tarriff.

          (L)  At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or at a Special General Meeting (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.

(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.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

3.   (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 and must be accompanied by the Entry Fee (£30) set out in the Fees Tariff per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.

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.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £120 per team payable on or before the Annual General Meeting of the Competition in each year.

(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 by or on behalf of the Club on such terms and for such period as it may in its entire discretion think fit.

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

(E)  Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by July 30th of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming Season. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4.   (A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and up to 7 ordinary members who shall all be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

          (B) All candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 2 weeks prior to the AGM in each year.  Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

(C) The Management Committee shall meet as and when required with no more than three calendar months between each meeting.

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

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

(E)  All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

5.   (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 Football Association or Affiliated Association.

(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 upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.

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

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

(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 14 days of the Competition being notified.

With the exception of Rules 5(I), 6(H), 10(A), 11 and 19, for all breaches of Rule a formal written charge must be issued to the Club concerned The Club charged shall be given seven days from the date of notification of the charge  to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:-

                 (i)             Accept or deny the charge

                 (ii)            Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or

                 (iii)           Put their case before the Management Committee at a personal hearing                        

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 Association.

                 Any fines levied shall be in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

          The maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.

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

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

 (F) More than fifty percent (50%) of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any sub-committee thereof.

(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

(H) A Club 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.

 (I) All fines and charges are payable forthwith and must be paid within 21 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 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.

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

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

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

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6.   (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than June 30th in each year.  At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of the Members are present and entitled to vote: -

(i)             To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.                             

(ii)            To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

(iii)           Election of Clubs to fill vacancies.

(iv)           Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(v)            Election of Officers and Management Committee.

(vi)           Appointment of Auditors.

(vii)          Alteration of Rules, if any.

(viii)         Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.

(ix)           Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed change of Rules.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to Sanctioning Authority within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting.  Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

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

(F)  All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least  50% 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 Member Club.

(H) Any continuing Club must be represented at the Annual General Meeting.

           (I)  Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting but cannot cast a vote on behalf of a club (See Rule 8.G).

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7.             The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club which is an unincorporated Association and two directors of each Club which is an incorporated entity 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) (name)  [ ]  of (address) [ ]  (Chairman)/(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 to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.”

Any alteration of the Chairman and/or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Cheshire County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

8.   (A) (i) Contract players, as defined in football association rules, 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.

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

                 (ii)  While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces, a player must first obtain the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for the Club.

                 (iii) Each Club must have at least 11 Players registered 7 days before the start of the Playing Season of the league.

          (B) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has submitted a fully completed application on the FA Whole Game system, approved by both his club and the League registration secretary and supported with a photograph in which he can be clearly identified and either (a) submitted to the Competition 1 day prior to playing and whose registration has been confirmed by the Competition prior to that Player playing in a Competition Match, or (b) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition emergency registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing, signed by an officer of the club and countersigned by an Officer of the opposing Club and submitted to the Competition within three days of the match. The Player shall not again play until the Club is in possession of the approval of the Competition. A maximum of 3 players may be registered in accordance with sub-paragraph (b). A team wishing to de-register a player 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.

          (C) The qualification dates for this competition are as follows. A player must have attained the age of 15 but be under the age of 21 on 31st August in the playing season. No player who has not attained the age of 16 on the day of a fixture may be registered or play in a fixture. Clubs may name up to 3 players older than the qualification age in a match-day squad, these players must be registered with the competition and be clearly marked on the team sheet. The above qualification dates are subject to the provisions contained by FA Rule C4(a) in its entirety. A Club may register up to 7 players older than the qualification age at any one time in a playing season.

          (D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player’s signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played. In the event that a Player could be required to pay a proportion of a debt due under The FA Football Debt Recovery System then, whether or not the debt has been referred to the relevant County FA, the Competition must not affect the player’s registration in any way or refuse to register a transfer due to that debt being outstanding. The Competition cannot refuse to register a Player for an unpaid non-footballing debt.

          (E)  (J)  (Not Adopted)

          (F)  The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

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

          (G) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to: -

(i)   Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred.

(ii)  Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer on one occasion per season.

(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected too accurately or fully complete.

(H) (i)   The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any player subject to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below.

(ii)  The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall have the power to make an application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered or intends to be registered with.

          (iv) For a player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with clause (iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.

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

(I)   Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(a) when a Club wishes to register a Player who is already registered with another Club it shall submit a transfer form to the Competition on the FA Whole Game System. 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 three days of receipt of the notification.  Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within three days, the Competition 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 1 day 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. A player transferred shall not be permitted to transfer back to his original club in the same playing season.

 (J) (Not Adopted)

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

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

In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 8(A)(i).

(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has been registered for 7 days prior to the date of the game (except by express permission of the management committee)

(N)  Not Adopted

           (O) Any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a match or matches shall have any points gained from that match or matches deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine. The Management Committee may also order that such match or matches be replayed on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee which may also levy penalty points against the Club in default.

                 The Management Committee may vary this decision in respect of the points gained 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.         

                 In exceptional circumstances 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.

                 This rule also applies to any club found to have played more than the permitted number of players (3) older than the qualification date for the playing season.

 (P) (The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education): -

          (i)   Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.

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

(iii) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.

CLUB COLOURS.  CLUB NAME

9.   (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 14th July in each playing season who shall decide as to their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other players and the match officials.

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 its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colour of the goalkeeper’s jersey) at least 3 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. A club must not delay the scheduled time of kick-off for a competition match by not having a change of colours.  Shirts must be numbered.

          (B) Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority and from the Management Committee. Any Club wishing to change its colours during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Management Committee.

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

10. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the date for the commencement of the season. Any Club playing in a competition outside of this competition must inform the Fixture Secretary of the date of the fixture within 24 hours of it being set, regardless of playing at home or away.             

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

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team, a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

The Management Committee shall have the power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.

Football Turf pitches (3G/4G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches.

The home Club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 10(D).

All matches shall have a 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 fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing clubs prior to the scheduled date of the match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.  After this time a fixture must be played on the arrange date, time and venue unless the league committee agree.

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 and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable.

(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 parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary and referee Secretary but must be done at least 7 days prior to the fixture date. If there is no mutual agreement the club must play at the fixture at the date, time and venue of the original fixture.

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 7 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

 (D) The Secretary 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 the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 3 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. 

 (E) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice of any possible pitch problems which would cause postponement by 5 PM the day before a fixture. When possible, the fixture will be revered before postponement.

 (F) A minimum of 8 players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

 (G)          (i)   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 inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question 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 on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

          (ii)  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.

          (iii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a fixture has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the (Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials.  The league committee reserve the right to award a fixture where a team in unable to fulfil as well as imposing a league fine.

          (iiib)         Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture on more than two occasions will be called to meet with the committee. The league committee reserve to remove to award a fixture where a team in unable to fulfil fixtures

          (iv) 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 7 days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.

          (v)  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 their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.

          (vi) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(O) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void.

 (G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.

A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a Player at any time subject the substitution being carried out in accordance with the Laws of Association Football.

Both teams must submit a hard copy team sheet from the triplicate pad provided by the league, completed as detailed in Rule 11(A) to the referee and their opponents no later than 20 minutes before the start of the match.

A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(H) The half time interval shall be of 10 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half-time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(I)  The Clubs taking part in a Competition match shall identify a team captain who has a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his team mates. The captain must be clearly identified on the team sheet.

(J) (Not Adopted)

(K) Each home team shall make arrangements for the provision of designated areas for spectators. This area can be marked by must be a permanent barrier, or roped off area or use of a temporary spectator barrier. In grounds where there is a permanent barrier, spectators must be on the outside of the barrier at all times. In grounds where there is no permanent barrier, a temporary barrier must be set up both sides of the pitch which all spectators must stand behind.

In grounds that are a caged pitch which don’t have a barrier inside, all spectators must be outside tha caged pitch

(L) Home teams are required to provide drinks and access to changing facilities, kit and team’s property for the duration of half time and at full time.

(M) (Not Adopted)

REPORTING RESULTS

The result must be updated via SMS or using the full times website within 2 hours of the fixture being completed.

11. (B) (Not Adopted)

11. (C) Both teams must SMS the result of the match to the Full-Time website within 2 hours of the completion of the match

11. (D) A copy of a fully completed team sheet must be sent to the team sheet secretary within 48 hours of the fixture being completed which is to be emailed to teamsheets@northwestu21.co.uk

Team sheet information must be added to full time within 48 hours of the match being completed.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

12. (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners.  Matches must not be played for double points.

                 In circumstances where two or more teams are equal on points, the team which has the better playing record against the other team in their head-to-head Competition matches during the Season will be the highest-placed team.

                If two or more teams are still equal, the highest placed team will be decided by goal difference where the goals scored against by each team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that team and the largest positive difference shall be placed the highest. In the event of the goal difference being equal the highest-placed team shall be the team which has scored the most goals. In the event that two or more teams have the same goal difference and have scored the same number of goals then the highest-placed team shall be the team which has won the most matches.

                 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 as determined by the Management Committee.

          (B) Not Adopted

(C) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures the league committee will meet to decide upon the playing record. The Management committee reserve the right to:

All points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table. Matches not played but awarded by the competition to one of the competing teams count towards these criteria.

(D) (I) The bottom 3 teams in the Premier Division will be relegated to the Championship Division(s). For each team fewer than 16 in the Premier Division, one otherwise relegated team will be reprieved. A Premier Division club may relinquish their place in the division at the end of the playing season, for each club that does so, an otherwise relegated club will be reprieved.

(ii) The 2nd placed teams in each Championship Division will enter the Promotion Playoff competition.

(iii) The team with the highest points per games in their respective division will host the play off.

Should that not be possible the fixture will be reversed to the opposition. Should a team wish not to participate in the playoff the opposition will be awarded the fixture and promoted.

(iv) Cup Competition Rules as per Rule 24 shall be used in the Playoff Competition, except the payment of match officials in the final tie, which shall be shared by the competing clubs

(v) The Management committee reserve the right to promote or relegate additional teams in order to preserve the correct number of clubs in each division.  The Management committee's decision will based on teams’ previous season placing in both our leagues and other leagues. Ground grading, Facilities, Administration and discipline will also be considered upon promotion request.

REFEREES

13. (A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees were approved by the FA or County FA) for all 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 Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee.   An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that game, 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 open age competition.

(C) Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.

(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted.

          (E)  Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the sanctioning Association, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee of £45 for referees and £35 for assistant referees, inclusive of travelling expenses

          The Home Club shall inform the official how they will be paid, cash or bank transfer. Clubs must pay the Officials their fees within 24 of each match either by cash or Bank Transfer where agreed.

(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 a half fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials if they attend the ground, their full fee.

(G) A Referee not keeping their engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which they are registered with.

          (H) Each Club must, award marks to the Referee for each match. This MUST be done on the Full-Time system within 48 hours of the match completion. Any mark submitted below 61 must be supported with full written reasoning ensuring FA guidelines are followed.  The League provides all clubs with guidance on how to mark their referee. Any clubs failing to comply with the rule t to supply a mark or supplying a full written reason report for marks below 61 shall be liable to be fined by the Management Committee as per league rules fines and tariffs.

          (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 Football Association/County Association.

(J)  The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the time of kick-off, the names of any players cautioned or dismissed, and any further information required by the league to the referee appointments officer within three days of the match

(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with an electronic copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the FA/County FA or the League.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) A Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31st March each Season.

(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.

          (C) In the event of a Member Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee are empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

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

(ii)  Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are exceptional circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged with the Secretary within 5 days 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) 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 enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

(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 prior to the protest or complaint being heard.

          (i)   All parties must have received 14 days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed to attend.

          (ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then the Club should indicate such when forwarding the written response.

PROTESTS, APPEALS

16. (A)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 which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and the party not succeeding may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the Management Committee.

          (B) All such protest claims complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Secretary within fourteen days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted.

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

          (D)Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority within fourteen (14) days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee 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.

          (E)  If so, requested the Management Committee may arbitrate on any disputes, protests, appeals, claims or complaints between two Clubs in which event both Clubs shall send a non-returnable fee. Such arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties to the arbitration.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

17. (A) At the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from membership which must be supported by (more than) two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting.  Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(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 (2/3) 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.

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

TROPHY: -

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

18. (A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy nand sent out via smart sheet upon winning a trophy: -

“We (A)________________ and ________________ (name), 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 28th February in the season after winning it.  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.”

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

(C) Clubs should bring all trophies to the final meeting of the season. Any trophy that is not returned to the club as set by the league  will cover the costs of delivery or collection.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19.           Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

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

At least seven days’ notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings.  Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only, as will members of the Management Committee.

Any continuing Member Club must be represented at a Special General Meeting.

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

ALTERATION TO RULES

20.           Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19.  Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season.

                 Notice of proposed alterations

to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31st May in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 7th June and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by June. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if 51% [a majority] of those present, entitled to vote and voting are in favour.

                 A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA (as applicable) 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.                                 

FINANCE

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

(B) All expenditure in excess of £1000 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(C) The fiscal year of the Competition will end on June 30th.

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

INSURANCE

22.           All Clubs must have public liability insurance cover of at least 10 million pounds (£10,000,000).

                 All Clubs shall be members of a Players’ personal accident scheme. The policy cover shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the sanctioning Association. In instances where The Football Association is the sanctioning Association, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.

DISSOLUTION        

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

          (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.

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

(i)             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 Association.

(ii)            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.

CUP COMPETITIONS         

(A) (i) All Cup Competitions shall be conducted in accordance with the aforementioned competition rules where applicable

(ii) The League shall operate a minimum of one and a maximum of three cup competitions in each playing season. The League Challenge Cup shall have entered into it all member clubs of the League and takes preference.

Should the season allow, and the Management Committee agree Divisional cups will be played or a supplementary cup. This decision will be separate for each cup competition.

(B) (i) All clubs shall have the choice to enter the divisional cup competitions as directed by the club secretary. Team can choose to enter divisional cups. Any teams wishing to participate in the divisional cup will be charged a £20 entry fee.

The Premier Division Cup shall be entered by only member clubs of the Premier Division, and the Championship Division Cup shall have entered into it only member clubs of the championship Divisions.

Should the numbers not allow divisional cup(s) a supplementary cup may be considered by the management committee.

The League Cup entry is part of the annual subscription. Each additional cup carries a £20 entrance fee.

(ii) For each Cup competition round, the clubs shall be drawn in couples. These couples shall compete, and the winning team shall progress to the following round.

(iiii). For all rounds of the League Challenge Cup and should they be played the Premier Division Cup and Championship Division Cup, the teams shall be drawn randomly.

(iv) The dates for all cup competition games shall be set by the fixtures secretary. Fixtures for divisional cups may be set for midweek with the earliest KO being 7pm. Should the home team not have a facility with floodlights to play evening fixtures the fixture will be reversed to the away team. Should both teams not be able to play the fixture a decision on the fixture date or the result will be taken by the management committee.

(C) All Cup matches shall be decided on a knockout basis (unless otherwise decided by the management committee). All rounds of the cups are straight to kicks from the penalty mark, without extra time.

(D) In the event of the home drawn club’s ground not being available then the fixture will be reversed immediately. If the pitch is unfit the fixture should be reversed if the opponents pitch is fit and available. If a reverse is not possible for original fixture and after two attempts to stage the game, after the second attempt if their opponent’s ground is fit and available, the game must be switched if possible. If this happens, the away team must take the responsibilities of the home team. Should both grounds be unfit, and the game is postponed, then when it is rearranged, the same procedure must be followed until the game is played.

(E) Referee’s and Assistant Referee’s fees shall be split for all cup competition matches, except in the Final Tie where the competition shall pay the officials. In the League Challenge Cup and Premier Division Cup, where possible, a Referee and Assistant Referees shall be appointed to each tie. In the Championship Division Cup, up to the Quarter Final tie, only a referee will be appointed. In all competitions, a Referee and Assistant Referees shall be appointed for the Semi Final and Final Tie, and for the final tie a Fourth Official will also be appointed.

(F) Admission fees may be charged for spectators at Cup Finals to alleviate costs incurred at those games.

(G) The League Management Committee reserves the right to dismiss any team from a cup competition for failing to fulfil or causing the abandonment of a cup fixture

(H) In the League Challenge Cup, the Semi Finals will be played on a neutral ground to be decided by the competition.

In both Divisional cups, the Semi Finals will be played at the home ground of the first drawn team.

(I) To be eligible to play in any cup semi-final or final tie, a player must be registered at least 7 days prior to the tie (except by express permission of the management committee)

(J) (i) Any team found to be playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall be deemed to have lost that match and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with by the management committee

(ii) In addition to normal eligibility requirements, players are ineligible if they have played for another team in the same cup competition in the same playing season

Appendices to Rules

Appendix 1 – Team Sheets

1)  The Team Sheet submitted to the referee and opposition no later than 20 minutes before the start of the match as per Rule 10(G) must contain the following information.

a)           Date of the Match

b)           The Teams Competing in the Match

c)           The Team’s colours, including the goalkeeper’s colours.

d)           Competition (League or Cup)

e)           Scheduled Kick Off Time

f)        Names of the Players, with their corresponding shirt number

g)           Which player is the team Captain

h)           The name of the Referee

i)         The names of the occupants of the technical area

j)         Team official’s signature

2)  The Team sheet sent to the Fixtures Secretary after the game must have all of the above information clearly readable and the additional information listed below.

a)          Any substitutes who took part in the match

b)         Any players who were cautioned or sent off during the match.

c)          The Actual time the match kicked off.

d)         The Final result of the match

3)  The approved team sheet for the competition will be provided to each club prior to the start of the season. Only this league branded team sheet may be submitted for any competition match. If the book is lost, you must contact the League Secretary who will arrange for a replacement to be provided, at a cost of £20 to the club.

Appendix 2 – Player Registration

1)  All Players in this competition must be registered via the FA Whole Game System. The following information must be included before being submitted to the League.

a)         The Player’s First Name

b)         The Player’s Surname

c)         The Player’s Date of Birth

d)         The Player’s Address including Postcode.

e)         The Player’s Contact Details (including e-mail address)

f)         A Photograph of the player in which he can be clearly identified. Photographs of photographs (e.g. passports or driving licences) are not acceptable.

g)         Valid identification must be shown to a team official, who must verify this on the application.

2)  If any of the above information is missing, the application will not be approved by the league and the player will therefore not be registered.

Appendix 3 – Match Day Instructions

1)  Only the named substitutes and the team officials named on the team sheet may be present in the technical area during the game.  Where assistant referees are appointed, Substitutes must warm up on the side of the pitch opposite the assistant referee, and not behind the senior assistant referee.

2)  Where dugouts are available, the substitutes must remain seated unless they are warming up or preparing to replace a player. Only those named on the team sheet should be in the dugouts. All other officials and spectators must remain behind the barrier or a temporary respect barrier at all times.

3)  Only two team officials may be standing within the pitch boundary and must stay within the technical area if available. Team officials must not walk up and down the touchline.

Appendix 4 – Report on a Referee

1)  If any referee for any competition match is marked below 61, a full written report is required.

2)  This report should be constructive, to be used by the league and if necessary, the referee’s affiliated association to assist with the development of the referee.

3)  If a report is not submitted or is in the opinion of the League Secretary and Referee Appointments Officer, not constructive it will not be accepted, and the club shall be dealt with as per rule 13(H)

Appendix 5 – League Structure

1)  The League shall consist of three divisions, a Premier Division and two Championship Divisions, where possible regionally divided into A and B. There will be a maximum of 16 teams in the Premier Division and a maximum of 16 teams in each of the Championship Divisions. Promotion and Relegation between the divisions shall happen as per League Rule 12(D).

2)  Clubs in the Premier Division shall be subject to the following ground grading requirements:

a)         Enclosed Pitch

b)         Separate Home and Away Changing facilities with showers

c)         Separate Officials Changing facilities with Showers

d)         Marked Dugout areas.

e)         Affiliated to a County FA

3)  Clubs in the Championship Division shall be subject to the following ground grading requirements:

a)         Access to Changing facilities for both clubs and officials

b)         Both sides of the pitch must have a barrier (a temporary barrier such as respect tape is acceptable) for spectators to stand behind. Where any official that is not named or for spectators which are not behind the barrier the referee may temporarily pause the game until the individual has move to behind the barrier.

c)         Affiliated to a County FA

4)  All clubs will play each other twice (where possible this should be home and away) within their respective divisions unless decided otherwise by the competition.

Appendix 6 – Kick Off Date and Time

1)   Fixtures will predominantly be played on Sundays; however, the competition allows the flexibility for clubs with floodlit facilities to play their home matches on midweek evenings.

2)   Each team will confirm their home kick off time at the AGM, which will be respected by visiting teams. Clubs must have permission from the League Secretary to subsequently change this time.

3)   Teams may mutually agree a change in kick off time for a particular match and must inform the League Secretary and Fixtures Secretary. If an agreement cannot be made, the original kick off time must be adhered to

4)   The Fixtures Secretary reserves the right to set a final fixture date and time, which must be adhered to by both clubs, subject to a facility being available to host the game.

5)   The Fixtures secretary reserves the right to refuse a change of Kick time or venue if the fixture is within 7 days of the fixture date.

6)   The Fixtures secretary reserves the right to switch a fixture should a home team be unable to fulfil a due to availability of a home teams  venue. If refused the discipline committee reserve the right to award the fixture

FEES TARIFF

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FINES TARIFF                                                          

*In addition to league fine the discipline committee reserves the right to award the fixture.

**In addition to league fine the discipline committee reserves the right to deduct points.

On the Day Player Form

Players Full Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Date of Birth:

Over Age player?  Y/ N

Email Address:

FAN Number If Known:

Registered for any other teams:

ID Document Checked: Passport / Driving Licence /  Birth Certificate / Other:

These documents must be available for the opposition to check if they should wish. No ID, No Game.

Club Signed for:

Date:

Fixture:

Player Signature:

Player Print Name:

Club representative Signature:

Club representative Print name & Club Role:

This player wishes to play in today's game is not signed on with any other club in the NWU21 league and is not currently suspended by the County FA. By signing the below you confirm this is correct and are abiding by league rules on player eligibility. Any club found to be using suspended or contracted players will be breaching league rules.

For a player to play the opposition must agree before the match. By signing the below you confirm that you agree to the player playing in today's game

Opposing Club representative Signature:

Opposing Club Representative Print Name & Club Role:

There must be a good reason not to approve, if so please email the league to confirm reasonings.  

The form must be sent to discipline@northwestu21.co.uk within 24 Hours of the fixtures end.

The player must also be registered on the whole game system within 24 hours and may not be signed on an emergency basis again this season for the same club.