RULES INDEX

1 Title and Constitution ......................................................................

2 Entry Fee, Subscription, Deposit .....................................................

3 Officers & Management ..................................................................

4 Annual and Special Meetings ..........................................................

5 Agreement to be Signed...................................................................

6 Qualification of Players ...................................................................

7 Club Colours ...................................................................................

8 Playing Season.................................................................................

9 Reporting Results.............................................................................

10 Determining Championship.............................................................

11 Referees............................................................................................

12 Retirement & Re-election ................................................................

13 Protest & Appeals ............................................................................

14 Board of Appeals .............................................................................

15 Trophies ...........................................................................................

16 Special General Meetings ................................................................

17 Alteration to Rules ...........................................................................

18 Finance.............................................................................................

19 Appendix I .......................................................................................

20 Appendix II ......................................................................................

21 Appendix III....................................................................................

 

RULES

 

LEAGUE ORGANISATION

TITLE AND CONSTITUTION

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

1. (A) This Competition shall be designated The Lancashire Amateur

Football League and shall consist of not more than 50 clubs who shall

be full member clubs.

All such member clubs must be affiliated to a County Association which

is itself affiliated to the Football Association, and their names and

particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the form

‘D’ to the appropriate County Football Association. The area covered by

the Competition membership shall be Lancashire and Cheshire.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Lancashire

Football Association and the constituent teams of member clubs may be

grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 16 in number.

Member clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the

Competition in any other competitions (with the exception of F.A. and

County F.A. competitions) except with the written consent of the

Management Committee of the Competition.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting

called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have

power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their

discretion. When necessary this rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

2. (A) All applications by clubs for admission to this competition or

the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the

secretary and must be accompanied by an entry fee of £50 per team

which shall be returned in the event of non-election. At the discretion of

a majority of 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.

(B) The annual subscription shall be as laid down in Appendix II,

payable on or before the 1st. August each year.

(C) No longer applicable.

(D) A club may not participate in this competition until the entry

fee, annual subscriptions and deposit have been paid.

(E) Clubs must advise annually the League Secretary in writing by

1st. August of its County Football Association affiliation number for the

forthcoming season, failing which they shall be fined £50.

Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or in prescribed form, of

details of its headquarters, officers and any other information requested by

the Competition.

OFFICERS

3. The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice-

Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registration Secretary,

Referees’ Secretary and Assistant Referees’ Secretary to be elected annually

at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. auditors are not officers).

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules

and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management

Committee comprising the officers and 7 members who shall be elected

at the Annual General Meeting. All participants shall abide by the

Football Association regulations for safeguarding children, as determined

by the Association from time to time.

(B) Retiring officers shall be eligible to become candidates for

reelection without nomination. All other candidates for election as

officers or members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to

the Secretary in writing, signed by the secretaries of two member clubs

not later than 8th. May in each year. Names of the candidates for election

shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the

event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for

any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

(C) The management committee shall meet as often as necessary to

deal with the business as it arises. On receiving a requisition signed by

two-thirds 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 such other subcommittees

as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of

their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of

all such 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 Lancashire 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 6e).

(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 subcommittee).

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 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 in the rules. Except where

these rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty on any club, official (limited

to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or player alleged to be in breach of a

Competition rule, they must be formally charged in writing and given the

opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial

penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of

Competition rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, rules and regulations of

The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. rules.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the

right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with rule16. Decisions of the

Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7

days.

(F) 7 members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the

transaction of business of the Management Committee and 3 members shall

constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the

Competition.

(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have 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 14 days of the date of posting of

the written notification. Clubs, officers or individuals committing a breach of this

rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to

attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the

Competition.

(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that

may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or

Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of

the Competition season.

(L) No participant under the age of 18 may be fined.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 30th.

June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be

transacted provided that at least 30 members are present and entitled to

vote.

(i) To receive and confirm the minutes of the preceding Annual

General Meeting.

(ii) To consider any business arising therefrom.

(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and

Statement of Account.

(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the

Management Committee).

(v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.

(vii) Appointment of auditors.

(viii) Alteration of rules, if any (of which notice has been given).

(ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.

(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and

accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

(B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts

and Agenda shall be forwarded to each club at least fourteen days prior to

the meeting, and to the Lancashire County Football Association.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement

of Accounts shall be forwarded to the Lancashire County Football

Association within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General

Meeting.

(D) Each full member club shall be entitled to send two delegates to

an Annual General Meeting. Each club shall be entitled to one vote only.

Not less than seven days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the competition

during the season being concluded or who are not continuing in

membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters

relating to the season being concluded.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a

ballot be demanded by at least 20 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 clubs failing to be represented at the

Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be

fined £30.

(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to

attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7. The Chairman and the Secretary of each club shall complete and sign

the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition

together with the application for membership for the coming season, or

upon indicating that the club intends to compete.

“ We, of (chairman) and

of (secretary) of the

Football Club have been provided with a copy

of the rules and regulations of The Lancashire Amateur Football League

Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said club to,

if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those rules and

regulations and to accept and 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

County Football Association to which the club is affiliated and to the

Secretary of the Competition.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

8. (A) Contract Players as defined in Football Association Rules are not

permitted in this Competition.

(B) A registered playing member of a club is one who, being in all

other respects eligible, has signed a fully and correctly completed

Competition registration form (LAL 3) in ink, countersigned by an officer

of the club, and who has been registered with the Registration

Secretary 48 hours prior to playing. The player shall not be eligible to play

until the completed registration counterfoil has been received by the club.

(C) A player is not eligible to play in the competition who receives

any form of payment for playing, other than for expenses as per clause 1,

2 and 3 of Article 2 of the FIFA Regulations Governing the Status and

transfer of players.

(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 officers 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 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 50 pence shall be paid for each player registered at 1st.

February each year.

(F) The Management Committee shall decide all registration

disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a

registration submitted for more than one club priority of registration shall

decide for which club the player shall be registered. The Registration

Secretary shall notify the club last applying to register the player of the

fact of the previous registration.

(G) It shall be a breach of rule for a player to

(i) Play for more than one club in the Competition in the same

season without first being transferred.

(ii) Having signed for one club in the Competition, sign for another

club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of

a transfer.

(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player

had wilfully neglected accurately or fully to complete.

(H) (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept

the registration of any player.

(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse,

cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except

those under 18 years of age, at their discretion, who has been charged and

found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make

application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and

found guilty of undesirable conduct, subject to Rule 16 and subject to the

right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association.

conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this

Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the club

the player is registered with. (Note: Action under clause (iii) shall not be

taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with

by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player

bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to

an appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this rule,

bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where the

player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in

match-based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of

the first offence.

(I) Subject to the Football Association rules dealing with players

without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the club the player

wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registration Secretary.

Such transfer shall be referred by the Registration 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 Registration 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 Registration 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. In the event of an

objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management

Committee for a decision.

(J) A player may not be registered for a club nor transferred to

another club in the Competition after 1st. March in each season except by

special permission of the Management Committee.

(K) A club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record

of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records

upon demand by the Management Committee.

(L) A register containing the names of all players registered for

each club (on forms LAL 3 or 3a), with the date of registration, shall be

kept by the Registrations Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of

any duly appointed member club representative at all Management

Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged.

Registrations are valid for one season only.

In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to

that of a contract player with the same club, another club in the

Competition or with a club in another Competition his registration as a

player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and

declared void. In order to play in the League again either for his original

club or for another club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as

required by this rule.

(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special

championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in

Rule 12a) unless the player has played 3 games for that team in this

Competition in the current season.

(N) Not applicable

(O) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible

player or players may have the points gained in the match deducted from

its total and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of

the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition the team may have points deducted from its

total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt

with in any further manner which is thought fit.

(iii) The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award

the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to

the match not being ordered to be replayed.

(P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school

organisations’ activities.

(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with 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 by

1st. August with the Secretary, who shall decide as to their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other

players and the referee.

No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or

very dark shirts. Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as

registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will

play to its opponents at least 2 days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two teams have the same or similar

colours, the home team shall make the change. Any team not having a

change of colours of delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be

fined £20. The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be

submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours,

and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts

as they think fit. Shirts in first team games must be numbered.

(B) Any club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek

permission from its affiliated County Association and from the

Management Committee.

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY

TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing

and concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance

with Football Association rules. No club shall be compelled to play after

the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by Fixtures Secretary, or

at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than

10th. April, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days

preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General

Meeting.

(B) (i) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of

the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

(ii) 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.

(iii) 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.

(iv) The Management Committee shall have power to decide

whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the

Competition and to order the club concerned to play its fixtures on

another ground.

(v) All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a

shorter time (not less than 60 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two

captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the

match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the AGM or the Management

Committee. Any club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be

fined a sum not exceeding £20 or be otherwise dealt with as the

Management Committee may determine.

(vi) Referees must order matches to commence at the

appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.

(vii) The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for

play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs

are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used.

(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all

matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be

given to the Football Association and all relevant County Association cup

competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may

mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures

Secretary.

(D) The Secretary of the home club must give notice of full

particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kickoff

to the match officers and the secretary of the opposing club at least 48

hours prior to the playing of the match. Any club failing to comply with

this rule shall be liable to a fine of £30.

(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 fewer than 11 players they may be fined for each missing player. A

minimum of 7 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 be

empowered to impose penalties on the defaulting club in accordance with

Appendix III (Schedule of Fines and Penalties). In addition, the defaulting

club will be liable to pay any expenses incurred by their opponents. Not

withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management

Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral

ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action

is warranted by the circumstances.

Any club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil

its fixtures, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence

: first team, reserve team, A team, etc. Clubs in breach of this requirement

shall be fined £30 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.

With effect from the expiry of the original scheduled league fixtures as

circulated at the beginning of the season, all re-arranged games must be

played on the re-arranged dates. If ground unavailable or unfit then the

game must be switched to the opponents ground if available. Failure to

play the game on the re-scheduled date will result in the defaulting

club failing to keep its engagement as per Rule 10(F) paragraph 1.

Notice of postponement of any match must be given without delay by the

postponing club (or notice of a club being unable to fulfil any match must

be given a minimum of 48 hours prior to the match by the club) to the

Fixtures Secretary, Competition Referees’ Secretary, the secretary of the

opposing club and the match officers.

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 arranged by the Fixtures Secretary.

The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in

a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no

injustice to either club 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’s member(s) they shall be empowered to award the

points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they

may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the

conduct of both teams or their clubs’ members, the Management

Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. No fines

can be applied for an abandoned match. Any action is subject to any

disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.

(G) A club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of

the Game use up to three substitute players in any match in this

Competition who are to be selected from up to five players who should all

be named on the official match sheet to be handed to the referee not later

than 5 minutes before the commencement of the match. A player who has

been named as a substitute before the start of the match but who does not

actually play in the match shall not be considered to have been a player in

that match within the meaning of Rule 8 of this competition.

(H) The half time interval shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half

time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(I) Before postponing a 1st. XI fixture due to an unfit pitch, the

home club must consult a league referee to inspect the ground before the

game can be postponed. The only exception is when the ground is closed

by the “landlord.”

REPORTING RESULTS

11. (A) The Discipline Secretary must receive within 7 days of the date

played the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner.

This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in

block letters). The referee’s marks required by Rule 13 should be sent to

the Referees’ Assistant Secretary. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10

and/or the club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

(B) The home club shall telephone the result of each match to the

person appointed at the commencement of the season within one hour of

the completion of the game.

(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be

signed by a responsible member of the club. The Management Committee

shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a club

which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

12. (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by

points with 3 points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn

match.

The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective

divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must

not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings

shall be decided by goal difference. In the event of a tie the Management

Committee shall determine the outcome.

(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the

first two and the last two in each division except as provided for

hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b).

(C) In the event of a team not completing all of its fixtures for the

season all the points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team

shall be expunged from the Competition table.

REFEREES

13. (A) Registered referees and assistant referees for all matches shall

be appointed (and confirmed by clubs) in a manner approved by the

Management Committee and by the sanctioning association(s).

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed referee the

appointed senior assistant referee shall take charge and a substitute assistant

referee appointed by the competing teams. In cases where there are no

officially appointed assistant referees, 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. The non-arrival of an officially

appointed referee shall not be grounds for not playing any fixture.

(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable,

or upon applications from 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 for first team

games will result in a fine being imposed on the defaulting team

according to the schedule of fines.

(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.

(E) Match officials appointed under this rule shall be entitled to

charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses

and any other permitted expenses actually incurred together with the

match fees as outlined in Appendix I. The home club shall pay the

officials their fees and expenses immediately after the match.

(F) In the event of a match not being played because of

circumstances over which the clubs have no control, the match officials,

if present, shall be entitled to full fee plus expenses. However, in the event

of a late postponement because of unfitness of pitch, any officials present

will be entitled only to half fee plus expenses. Where a match is not

played owing to one club being in default, that club shall be ordered to

pay the officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

(G) A referee not keeping his or her engagement and failing to give

a satisfactory explanation of their non-appearance may be reported to the

association with which he or she is registered.

(H) Each club shall submit to the Assistant Referees’ Secretary

within 5 days of each game, marks awarded to the referee for each match.

The name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the

competition on the prescribed form (LAL6). Marks should be in accord

with the F.A. guidelines from 1-10. Clubs failing to comply with this rule

shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee

shall determine. The Competition shall keep a record of the marks 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 (LAL4), giving the result of the match, the number of

players in each team and the time of kick-off to the discipline secretary

within two days of the match. The home team shall have the obligation of

handing to the referee prior to the commencement of each game the

completed referee’s report form (LAL4).

(K) Referees and assistant referees shall be supplied, each season, with a

copy of the competition rules free of charge. Where reference is made to

match officials with the pronoun “he”, this will also refer to female officials.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR

WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) After 31st. December in the current season a club intending 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 the 31st. March following or be liable to a fine not

exceeding £100.00.

(B) A club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams

from the Competition after the arrangement of fixtures for the following

season. Any club infringing this rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding

£50.00 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.

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 venue will not be entertained by the

Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before

the commencement of the match. Any club lodging such a protest and not

proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this rule and shall

be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that

there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must

contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must

be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within 5 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/her club) when such protest or complaint is being

dealt with.

(C) Any dispute occurring between clubs in the Competition shall

be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose

decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

(D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the

Management Committee unless the complaining club shall have

deposited with the Secretary a sum of £50.00. This may be forfeited in

whole or partin the event of the complaining or protesting club losing its

case. The Competition shall have the power to order the defaulting club

or the club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the

expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs 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 7 days’ notice prior to the hearing, together

with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint

the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession

by the protesting or complaining club of any information which, if

properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.

BOARD OF APPEAL

16. Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision

of the Management Committee or the Competition a club, official or

player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by

lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Lancashire

County Football Association, including a fee of £35.00, for adjudication

of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with

FA rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited

and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The

decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties

concerned.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS. MISCONDUCT OF

CLUBS, OFFICIALS OR 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, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude

any club or team from further membership upon a majority of two-thirds

of the votes cast. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General

Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule

19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude, upon

a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast, from further participation in the

Competition any club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been

undesirable.

Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A club whose conduct

is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(C) Any official or member of a club proved guilty of either

misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce

a player or players of another club in the Competition to join them shall be

liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management

Committee may decide, and their club shall also be liable to expulsion in

accordance with the provisions of clauses (A) and (B) of this rule.

(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 a Special

General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the

votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.

TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING

OVER. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.

18. (A) A Competition cup or trophy shall be vested in the association

sanctioning the competition as trustees. If a competition be discontinued

for any cause the cup or trophy shall be returned to the donor, if the

conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the

association may decide.

On receiving a trophy at or about the time of the presentation dinner the

club shall receive the following letter and duly sign for and observe its

contents:

Dear….

LEAGUE TROPHIES

Your club was presented with the……………………….trophy/ trophies

at the Presentation Dinner and the League now requires the Chairman and

Secretary of your club to acknowledge the acceptance of the following

undertakings by signing and returning the attached duplicate of this letter.

In signing this letter you jointly and severally undertake to:

• Ensure the safekeeping of these on behalf of the League and

to recompense the League for any loss or damage

• Attend to any engraving requirements prior to return

• Ensure the cleanliness of returned trophies

• Arrange for the return of the trophies to the League at any

of the January meetings of clubs or to a member of the

League Council before the end of next January.

Failure to return trophies by the due date will result in your club’s being fined £30.

Yours sincerely,

League Secretary

Signed by:

Chairman…………………………… Name………………………..

Secretary …………………………... Name………………………...

On behalf of ……………………………(club)

Date…………………..

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the clubs in

membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting. The

Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at anytime.

At least 7 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.

Not less then 7 days’ notice shall be given of any meeting. Any continuing

member club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without

satisfactory reason being given may be fined £30.00. Officers and

Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all

Special General Meetings. All amendments to rules can only be applied once

approved by the sanctioning authority.

ALTERATION TO RULES

20. Alterations 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 the qualification of players shall not take effect

until the following season.

Notices of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General

Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by March 31st. in each year. The

proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall

be circulated to clubs by May 30th. and any amendments thereto shall be

submitted to the Secretary by June 7th. The proposals and proposed

amendments thereto shall be circulated to clubs with the notice of the Annual

General Meeting. A proposal to change a rule shall be carried if a majority

of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual

General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the

sanctioning Football Association 7 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any

alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become

operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have

been obtained.

RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

21. Each member club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the

foregoing rules and instructions (to club secretaries and referees) and those

contained in the appendices hereunder and to have agreed to abide by the

decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each member

club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

FINANCE

22. (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 £200.00 shall be approved by the

Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two officers

nominated by the Management Committee.

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

(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of the Competition shall

be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who

shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

APPENDIX I

CHALLENGE CUPS COMPETITION RULES

1. To be competed for by all teams in the League, with the proviso that

the League Management Committee shall have the authority to cancel any

such competition at any stage, should problems in completing fixtures or

any other serious problem so indicate. (A Veterans’ Cup Competition will

also be arranged, for those that wish to enter, where this is deemed

desirable by the Management Committee, and the rules below shall apply,

except wherein the difference in rule is communicated to the participating

clubs before the competition’s commencement).

2. Competitions shall be on a knockout basis. In some cases the

knockout stage may be preceded by a ‘League’ stage should the

Management Committee so decide.

3. All team members to he registered as per League rules.

4. The draw for all competitions to be determined and notified to

clubs by the Fixtures Secretary. First drawn of each pair to play at home.

5. All games to be played on scheduled date. If ground unavailable or

unfit, game must he switched to opponents’ ground or neutral ground, if

available. Failure to play game on scheduled date will result in forfeit of

game, unless decided otherwise by the Fixtures Committee. The decision

of the Fixtures Committee in such matters shall be final.

6. Colour clashes - home team to change, except for semi-finals and

finals, wherein teams agree or both teams to change.

7. All matches of 90 minutes’ duration (result to stand if abandoned

after 60 minutes). In the event of a draw after 90 minutes in knockout

games, extra time of up to 15 minutes each way to be played. If scores are

level after extra time, the match will be decided by the taking of penalties

(5 taken alternately by different players from each side then, if still level,

further players to take penalties until one side ahead after equal attempts).

8. Finals to be played on neutral grounds if available.

9. Kick-off times for all games - Saturday 2.30 p.m. (2.00 p.m. Oct,

Nov, Dec), midweek 6.30 p.m.

10. Referees for each game to be allocated (and assistants for semifinal

and final ties) and communicated to clubs by the Referees’

Secretary: if no referee appointed the usual League rules to apply. All cup

fixtures to be confirmed with opponents and referee. Home club to ensure

that the referee’s report form be filled in and given to him, and that his

match fee

and expenses be paid.

11. Results to be telephoned to Rod Sharrock (01704 212888)

immediately after the game by the home team (as per rule for League

games).

12. No player may play in a cup competition for a side below the level

of 1st. eleven who has played in 3 or more of the club’s previous 6 games

at any higher level than that of the competing team. Any club in breach of

this rule will be disqualified from the current competition.

13. The entrance fee for the competitions shall be £20 per team,

payable to the League Treasurer before the commencement of the season.

14. Referees’ and assistants’ fees to be paid by the home club. If played

on neutral ground expenses to be shared by both clubs. For the final,

expenses to be met by the League. Referees’ assistants shall be entitled to

£13 plus expenses.

15. Both teams for the semi-final and final shall provide a match ball,

from which the referee will make a choice. In the final both teams to

supply appropriate first aid equipment.

16. The League Management Committee shall have the right to exclude

from the current or

any future competition any side deemed to have acted against the rules or

the spirit of the League’s cup competitions.

APPENDIX II

A. For season 2009/2010 the constitution shall be as laid down in Rule 1.

B. Results of ALL home games, including details of any

postponements, must he telephoned within one hour of the completion of

the game to Rod Sharrock on 01704 212888. Results of all games in

County Cup competitions, whether the team is home or away, to be

telephoned as above.

C. Season 2009/2010 to commence on Saturday, August 22nd. 2009,

and end on 8th. May 2010. Kick-off times: August-October and February-

May 2.30 p.m., November-January 2.00 p.m.

D. (i) Promotion and relegation in the premier division and divisions

1 and 2 shall be 2 up and 2 down, with the exception that any club

winning promotion to the premier division and division 1 whose ground

and facilities are not considered adequate by the Management Committee,

may not be promoted.

(ii) No more than two clubs may be relegated.

(iii) Promotion and relegation in the remaining divisions shall also

be two up and two down, except that

(a) no 2nd. XI may be promoted higher than division 1;

(b) no 2nd. XI may play in the same division as its own 1st. XI, or 3rd. XI

in the same division as the club’s 2nd. XI;

(c) therefore, if any conflict between the promotion of a 2nd. or 3rd. XI

and the relegation of a 1st. or 2nd. XI, the latter to have primacy;

(d) if a 2nd. XI is not permitted to be promoted, only one team from the

higher division will be relegated;

(e) new clubs in principle would come into division 2, even if some 1st.

XIs had previously been relegated from it.

(e)If clubs drop out of the Competition, divisional composition to be

adjusted according to Football Association guidelines.

E. The date of the end of the season 2009/2010 shall be as laid down

by the Football Association. League matches to be completed by 8th. May

2010, except by permission of the Management Committee.

F. THE LEAGUE AGGREGATE TROPHY shall be awarded to the

club whose 1st. and 2nd. teams obtained the highest number of points in

League games. Should clubs have an equal number of points, then the

award shall be made on goal difference.

G. Norman Archer Trophy will be awarded to the club with 3 or more

teams with the highest match/points ratio for all teams.

H. John Mackereth Trophy for sportsmanship will be awarded to the

club which the Management Committee will decide on administration,

discipline and sportsmanship criteria deserves this award.

J. Harold Heap Trophy is awarded for secretarial services.

K. The Referee’s match fee for season 2009/10 shall be £20.00 plus

travelling expenses at 25p. per mile. The fee for assistant referees

(appointed by the Referees’ Secretary), for premier division matches,

shall be £13.00 plus travelling expenses at 25p. per mile.

L. For season 2009/10 the annual subscription to the League (as per

rule 2 (a)), will be £100.00 per club with the addition of £50.00 per

additional team entered in the League.

M. Clubs must only seek entry into the Lancashire Football

Association Amateur Cup and NOT the Shield. Clubs whose first or sole

membership is to another County Association must seek only to enter its

Association’s Amateur Cup and no other competition within that

Association.

LANCASHIRE AMATEUR LEAGUE

APPENDIX III

SCHEDULE OF FINES AND PENALTIES

(The code number in the first column corresponds to the “Offence

number” on fine notices)

1. Club not represented at Meeting

Each offence £30

2. Late submission of player’s registration forms (3 & 3A)

Late submission of LAL/3A £10; during season £5 per player not

registered

3. Late Payment of League dues

Each offence £20

4. Failure to reply to League correspondence within the time specified

Each offence £20

5. Late submission of LAL/17

First offence £15. Second and subsequent offences £25. Persistent

offenders will be dealt with under Code 22

6. Late payment of outstanding balance

If not paid by time specified £15; if after a further 14 days the

balance is still unpaid then a further fine of £20 and the Club will

be stopped from playing any games within the Competition until

such time as any outstanding balance has been paid

7. Referees’ marks award form not completed or late

First offence £20. Second and subsequent offences £25. Persistent

offenders will be dealt with under Code 22.

8. Referee’s match report form not supplied or completed incorrectly

(including not using FULL NAMES in CAPITAL LETTERS, not

signing the teamsheet, not recording team colours and not using the

official current LAL4) Each offence £10

9. Referee not advised of match or advised late

Each offence £20

10. Results not phoned-in (including match postponements)

or phoned-in late

NB Clubs must phone in results of their LFA Amateur Cup games

whether played away or home First offence £15. Second and

subsequent offences £25. Persistent offenders will be dealt with

under Code 22.

11. Match not played – penalties & fines to be imposed on

defaulting Clubs as per Rule 10(F)

BOTH CLUBS INVOLVED IN A “MATCH NOT PLAYED” FOR

ANY REASON OTHER THAN AN UNFIT PITCH MUST

SUBMIT FORM LAL/7 WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE

POSTPONEMENT OR BE SUBJECT TO FINES UNDER

CODE 4 ABOVE

Fines: 1st. teams – premier division £50, other divisions £30

2nd. teams £25. Other teams £20.

In the event of the defaulting club not advising their opponents of

their inability to keep the engagement then the fine will be

increased by 50%.

Points: The defaulting club shall have 4 points deducted. In

circumstances where it is deemed appropriate 3 points will be

awarded to the opponents.

12. Match not played in order of seniority

Each offence £20

13. Late kick-off

For all teams, there will be a fine of £10 for up to 15 minutes late

and for more than 15 minutes late the fine will be £20.

14. Inadequate ground markings

Each offence £15

15. Team colours

Team colours not in accordance with Rule 9 (colours to be recorded

on LAL/4 team sheet). Each offence £15.

16. No corner flags

Each offence £15

17. No roping off of pitch (premier division only)

Each offence £15

18. No first aid kit

The home team MUST provide a satisfactory first aid kit

Each offence £15

19. Number not on shirts or incorrect (as per team sheet)

Each offence £5

20. Assistant referee not provided for 1st XI games (Rule 13c)

Each offence £15

21. After-match drink not supplied

Each offence £15

22. Other fines & penalties

The Management Committee will levy additional fines or penalties

on persistent offenders