DEVON & EXETER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
STANDARD CODE OF RULES
The following Rules have been compiled for the use of Competitions and
are mandatory for all new Competitions, and will be mandatory for all
sanctioned Competitions at Step 7 or below of the National League System
as from Season 2002/2003.
Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with
this Code, putting them in the correctly numbered Rule and showing the
Standard Headings.
It should be noted that in many cases Rules are so printed because they
are alternatives. For instance shall/shall not or, more elaborately, in Rule 8
(B) where there is a differing procedure. In such cases the procedure to apply
should be retained and the others omitted. In all cases where a line is shown
the necessary name, address, number or wording to complete the Rule must
be inserted.
THE DEVON & EXETER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NAME AND CONSTITUTION
1. (A) This Competition shall be designated the Devon & Exeter Football
League and shall consist of not more than 200 Clubs who shall be Full
Member Clubs.
All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football
Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually
by the appointed date on the Form %u201CD%u201D to the Devon County Football
Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be
a 50 mile radius from Exeter.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Devon County
Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be
grouped in divisions, comprising Premier, Senior and Intermediate each
not exceeding 16 in number.
ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT
2. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry
of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and
must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £50.00 (Youth £20.00) per
team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.
With the exception of those involved in the F.A. National League
System of Football, all Clubs and Teams desiring to be
admitted to membership of the League must make an application to the
League Hon. General Secretary not later than 15th May, (Premier
Division 30th April). Such applications, which will be submitted to
the Annual General Meeting for consideration and decision, shall be
made on the Club%u2019s headed notepaper and shall contain full
particulars of the Club%u2019s record to date, ground and dressing room
situation, Club colours and also the names and addresses of the
Club%u2019s Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Further, the Club
Chairman and Secretary shall sign the application. The League
Officers shall have the power to offer any Club seeking admittance to
the League a place in such a Division as they consider the application
to warrant, and to re-allocate the following season if justified.
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14:04 Page 5
By the 30th April, Clubs seeking election to the Premier Division of
the League, whether existing member clubs of the League, or new
applicant clubs, shall be required to complete a written questionnaire
supplied by the Hon. General Secretary. Applicant clubs must satisfy
the League Executive that they can offer all the minimum
(ESSENTIAL) requirements as listed in Conditions of Entry to the
Premier Division (located at the rear of the Handbook). Club Reserve
Teams (Football League Clubs Included) shall be eligible for election to
the Premier Division of the League at the discretion of the League
Executive.
If the application proves successful the Entry Fee to be credited
against League Fees payable. The Entry Fee will be forfeited should
the application be withdrawn.
At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present,
applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the
Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. The Entry Fee
shall apply.
When Rule 12(B) is applied or a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily
transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.
Applications from Clubs not represented at the A.G.M. or S.G.M. will
not be considered , and the Entry Fee retained by the League.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £75.00 per Team. Payable on or
before the 1st August in each year.
Clubs who fail to pay the Annual Subscriptions by 1st August will be
fined £25.00.
(C) Each Club shall within 28 days of election pay a Deposit of £100.0
which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided
they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the
Management Committee.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee,
Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid.
(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by the date of the
A.G.M. of its Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Somerset County Football
Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which
they shall be fined £10.00. Clubs must advise the League Hon. General
Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its
Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the
Competition.
OFFICERS
3. The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Vice-Presidents,
Chairman, Vice-Chairman,Treasurer,General Secretary, Registration
Secretary, Referees Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Insurance Secretary
to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are
not Officers).
The League shall also appoint a Press Officer and a Grounds Inspection
Officer who shall be non-voting Members.
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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
comprised of the Officers and up to 20 Club Representatives members
who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election
without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or
Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the
General Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member
Clubs, not later than 15th 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. (The management has the power to co-opt Club
Representatives if insufficient come forward at the Annual General
Meeting).
(C) The Management Committee shall meet monthly %u2013 September to May
inclusive to deal with business as it arises. (If there is little or no business
to deal with in any one month the Chairman and General Secretary
may cancel a meeting).
On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the
Management Committee the General Secretary shall convene a meeting
of the Committee.
(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be
addressed to the General 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.
(B) Subject to the permission of the Devon County Football Association
having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or
matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the
funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club
(including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to
contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency
at the end of the season. (See Rule 6(e)).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to
attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one
vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters
directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. (This
shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).
In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall
have a second or casting vote
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(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and
enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over
all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in
the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set
penalty any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a
Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the
opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. All
brea ches 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 Rule 16.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to
those concerned within 14 days.
(F) One third of voting Members of the Management Committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management
Committee and One-third of voting 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
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 a fine
of £20.00 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. No receipt will be issued unless payment
is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Unless so paid or
action taken under Rule 15 or 16, the Club will be fined a FURTHER
£20.00 and reported at the next meeting of the League Management
Committee. Should the TOTAL amount be then not paid within a
further fourteen (14) days, the club will be suspended forthwith. Clubs
may also be reported to their County F.A. for general suspension.
Suspension may only be lifted on payment of a fee of £50.00 in
addition to the outstanding fine. CLUBS PLACED UNDER
SUSPENSION WILL BE PENALISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISION OF LEAGUE RULE 10 (F) IN RESPECT OF ANY
FIXTURES SCHEDULED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE DURING THE
PERIOD OF SUSPENSION. This procedure to apply also to Clubs
placed under suspension by their Parent County Association whereby
such suspension will remain effective until notification to the contrary
is received from the Parent County Association at least 24 hours
prior to any scheduled fixture.
Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur
such penalties as the Management Committee may impose subject to
Rule 16
(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.
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(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) Any Member of the Management Committee not attending for Three
consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse shall lose their seat.
Vacancies may be filled as they arise.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than July 7th in
each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted
provided that at least one-third of Club 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 there from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement
of Accounts.
(iv) Election of Clubs/Teams 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 verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and
Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the
meeting, and to the Devon County Football Association(s).
(C) A signed copy of the duly verified Balance Sheet and Statement of
Accounts shall be sent to the Devon County Football Association(s) within
fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an
Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.
Not less than Twenty One days%u2019 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 two-thirds of the delegates qualified to vote or the
Chairman so decides.
Where contested, voting for the election of Officers shall be by ballot.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full
Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General
Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £20.00.
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(I) The League Officers shall be entitled to attend and vote at an 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, A,_____ _____________of ______________________(Chairman) and
B________________________of _________________________(Secretary)
of the _________________________________Football Club have been
provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Devon & Exeter
Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of
the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to
those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the
decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to
the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16."
Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above
Agreement must be notified to the Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Somerset
County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the
Hon General Secretary of the Competition.
(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures
and addresses of officers and members).
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
8. (A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are
permitted in this Competition.
(B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other
respects eligible, has:
(i) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in
ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been
registered with the Registrations Secretary prior to the time of kick
off on the day of the match in which the player is scheduled to
participate, and whose completed registration counterfoil has been
received by the Club prior to playing.
(ii) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in
ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the
Club and submitted to the Registrations Secretary within 96
hours of the match. The player shall not again play until the Club
is in possession of the new completed list of players. A maximum
of TWO players per match may be registered in this way.
ALL registrations received after the 96 hours dead-line, will be
treated as UNREGISTERED
WARNING. Match day registrations should only be used in
an emergency. Players found to have already signed foranother Club, including a block registration for a Service
Club, University or College Club, in the League or under
suspensions by they County football Associations will be
treated as ineligible. Rule 8 (N) will apply.
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(C) 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.
(D) Registration forms, subsequent to the initial allocation, shall be
obtained from the Registrations Secretary on prepayment of £2.00 per
book of 35 forms.
SERVICE clubs, Universities and Colleges to have Block Registrations
restricted solely to Service Personnel and Students, and which shall
not entitle them to League Insurance Benefits. The Secretary of each
Service Club, University or College shall forward to the League
Registration Secretary a list of its playing members and all
subsequent additions in alphabetical order. Such players are not
permitted to sign an individual registration form for another Club within
the League. Female players are not permitted registration with the
League.
At the commencement of each season, at least eleven completed
registrations PER TEAM must be received by the Registration
Secretary seven days prior to each team%u2019s First League Fixture. Clubs
failing to comply will have their first league fixture/fixtures cancelled
and treated as an unfulfilled fixture/fixtures.
(E) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration
submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for
which Club the player shall be registered. The Registrations Secretary
shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the
previous registration.
(F) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:
(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season with
out 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 to accurately or fully complete.
The penalty for any of the above shall be a fine of £10.00.
(G) (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 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 refuse or cancel the
registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to
Rule 16). Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated
conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition.
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(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.)
(H) Subject to The Football Association Rules, (See the County Football
Association Handbook), 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 Club for which the player is
registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its
objections in writing to the Registrations Secretary and to the player
concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon
receipt of the Club's consent, or upon it%u2019s failure to give written objection
within seven days, such transfer shall be referred to the Registrations
Secretary by the Club the player wishes to transfer to. A fee of £10.00
shall be charged for each transfer. The Registration Secretary may, on
behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be
deemed eligible to play for the new Club after receipt of the transfer.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to
the Management Committee for a decision.
No transfers will be accepted in April or May each year.
Each Club will be supplied with ten blank transfer forms at the A.G.M.
All registration and transfer forms must be accompanied by a
stamped and addressed envelope for return. Failure to do so will
result in a £10.00 fine.
(J) A player may not be registered for a Club after 31st May or transferred
to another Club in the Competition after 31st March except by special
permission of the Management Committee.
(K) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the
games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon
demand by the Management Committee.
(L) A register containing the names of all 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.
(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 played three games for that team in this
Competition in the current season.
(N) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or
players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total
and will be fined £10.00 per offence and/or otherwise dealt with at the
discretion of the Management Committee.
(ii) In addition the team shall have ONE point deducted from its total
and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
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(iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its
discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the
opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being
ordered to be replayed.
(iv) Any Club fielding a player under an assumed name will incur a fine
of £150.00 per offence.
(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full
time secondary education):
(P) (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) Players MUST have achieved the age of 16 before playing in the Devon &
Exeter Football League.
(Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in
Football Association Rules will apply.)
CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME
9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts, shorts and stockings
with the Hon General Secretary by the date of the Annual General
Meeting 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 five days before the match.
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar
colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a
change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be
fined £10.00.
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 must be numbered.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must obtain
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 the (Fixtures) Secretary,
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must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the
concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.
League matches as compiled shall be circulated to the Clubs by
August 4th. Clubs given five days notice of matches by the Fixtures
secretary on the dates left open on the original fixtures must be
accepted %u2013 Rule 10 (F) to apply. Revised dates made after the first
Saturday in March must be accepted. Clubs shall not under any
circumstances whatever mutually agree to re-arrange the date of any
match without the sanction of the League Fixtures Secretary.
Application for re-arrangements must be made in writing to the
Fixtures Secretary by both Clubs, giving full reasons, such
applications to be received by not less than ten days prior to the
original match date. Applications for the match to be played before
the original date must be received by the Fixtures Secretary as soon
as possible. Visiting teams will be expected to utilize the availability
of suitable floodlights whenever required.
All matches, including re-arranged and evening fixtures must be
played on the dates fixed by the League Fixtures secretary. Any Club
failing so to do, weather conditions and weather affected grounds
excepted, will be fined as follows;
Premier Division teams £75.00 per offence; Senior and Intermediate
Divisions £50.00 per offence, and the match points to be forfeited to
their opponents. In addition the defaulting Club shall have one point
deducted from its total, and shall pay the opponent%u2019s out-of-pocket
expenses as may be agreed and approved by the Management
Committee. If the aggrieved Home Club fulfils its away fixture, or has
already done so, they may claim from their opponents through the
League Management Committee, travel costs based on an allowance
for a maximum of five vehicles at the current Referee mileage
allowance (Rule 13); all claims must be submitted to the League
General Secretary within 14 days of the match date.
If for any reason a match scheduled by the Fixtures Secretary does not
take place and a match is staged on that date on the ground of the
Home Club as stated in the League Handbook (priority fixtures under
Rule 10 (C) excepted), the Home Club to be penalised as for an
unfulfilled fixture.
If any ground is inspected by the League or its appointed Agent on the
day of the match and found to be playable beyond any reasonable
doubt after having been declared unfit for play, then the defaulting Club
will be deemed as having failed to fulfil the fixture in question.
The Home Club must be notified of a pending inspection, and,
dependent upon the outcome, the costs of a requested ground
inspection (half match-fee and expenses) by an aggrieved Club, to be
met as the Management Committee so decides.
In the case of a ground of a Local Authority, the representative of that
body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted, unless
responsibility conferred upon the appointed match official.
Season 2007/2008 will commence on the 18th August 2006, and
conclude on the 31st May 2008.
13
(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 power to decide whether a pitch
and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order
the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not
less than 70 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in
consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match,
and in any event shall be of equal halves.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management
Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be
fined a sum not exceeding £25.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the
Management Committee may determine.
The official time of kick-off for the present season is as follows
(Saturday fixtures)
August, September and October 3.00pm
November, December and January 2.15pm
February to the end of season 3.00pm
F.A. Challenge Cup Final date No League Matches
Clubs responsible for a late kick off shall be fined in accordance with
the following scale:
Up to 10 minutes £10.00
Over 10 minutes at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and
must report all late starts to the Competition.
Clubs may mutually agree to a kick-off other than the official time
and in such event the Home Club must notify the Referees%u2019
Appointments secretary of the agreed time of kick-off five clear days
before the date of the match. Failure to observe this obligation will
involve a fine of £10.00 on the Home Club plus any expenses involved.
Any Club not having a ground available shall notify their opponents
and Referees%u2019 Appointment Secretary at least six clear days prior to
the fixture where the match is to take place, Rule 10 (F) to apply.
Failure to notify opponents and Referees%u2019 Appointments Secretary
will involve a fine of £10.00 in each instance, plus any expenses
involved.
For the duration of the match, all HOME CLUBS must provide the following:
(a) Goal Nets approved goal posts & crossbars
(b) Regulation corner flags
(c) Two match balls
(d) Two assistant-referee flags
(e) Half time liquid refreshments for the match official(s) and the visiting team
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In addition on match days, each team must be equipped to provide
Basic First Aid to any injured player, and each team must provide,
unless officially appointed an assistant referee who shall not be under
the age of 16 years, unless having qualified as a referee.
Any team failing to comply with any of the forgoing match
requirements will incur a fine of £10.00 per offence.
Clubs in the Premier Division are required to maintain the standards
of the essential ground facilities as listed in Condi1tons of Entry (Rear
of Handbook). Any deficiency in the minimum essential requirements,
brought to the attention of the League, will automatically incur a
warning letter from the Hon. General Secretary in the first instance,
and must be immediately rectified. A repeated situation in which the
required facilities remain below the standard acceptable to the League
will, at the discretion of the Management Committee, incur a
minimum fine of £75.00.
All grounds shall be marked out in accordance with the Laws of the
Game; the use of creosote, parquet, hydrated lime and any other
substance banned under the Health and Safety Act not permissible,
and Home Clubs must provide suitable changing accommodation and
washing facilities, with hot showers, for the visiting teams and match
officials. Clubs failing to do so will be dealt with at the discretion of
the Management Committee.
Any breach of these Ground, Match and Facility requirements (with the
exception of Health and Safety) should not detract from the fulfilment
of the fixture.
(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.
Any Club engaged in a priority competition match, including replays,
shall immediately notify the League Fixtures Secretary and Referees
Appointments Secretary and there opponents or shall be fined a sum of
£10.00 in each instance, plus any expenses incurred. In the case of the East
Devon Cup Competition three dates shall be reserved by arrangement.
(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full
particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kickoff to the match officials and the Secretary of the
opposing Club at least
four clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall
seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.
Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £10.00.
(E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all
matches in the Competition.
(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by
Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to
unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of
another or lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team
15
team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement.
If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or
spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs
concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be
subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may
determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.)
In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than eleven players
they may be fined for each missing player at the discretion of the
Management Committee. A minimum of seven players will constitute a
team for a Competition match.
(F) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to
keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to
inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to
the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by
the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not
withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management
Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral
ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such
action is warranted by the circumstances.
Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil
its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:-
First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement
shall be fined a sum not exceeding £100.00 or otherwise dealt with by the
Management Committee.
(This does not mean if a First Team fixture is postponed due to weather
conditions etc. that the Reserve Team match will not go ahead).
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 48 hours prior to the match by the Club) to the
(Fixtures) Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments
Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials.
Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management
Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.
In the event of a 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 fixed by the Fixtures Secretary.
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.
If ordered to be replayed the expenses incurred in the replayed match,
viz.: visitors travel based on an allowance for a maximum of five
vehicles at the current Referee mileage allowance (Rule 13) Referee%u2019s
expenses, ground charges, costs of printing, posting, advertising,
telephone charges, police charges, shall be met from the gate of the
second match. If the gate is not sufficient, the balance of expenses
shall be shared by the Clubs concerned in equal proportion. This also
to apply to a postponed match when a team has travelled to its
opponents%u2019 ground unless the Home Club is deemed to be at fault. All
claims to be conducted by the Clubs concerned.
16
DESIGNDESIGN
TROPHIES & AWARDS
-Trophies ~ Glass ~ Medals.
-P rofessional efficient service.
-F ree engraving on goods supplied
(with the exception of glass and logo%u2019s ) .
-F ree delivery at a time and place
convenient to you.
-Open out of normal business hours
~ Phone at any time.
-No minimum order.
54 Causey Lane %u2022 Pinhoe %u2022 Exeter %u2022 EX1 3SH
Tel/Fax: 01392 209376
17
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 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 Club members, the Management Committee
shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such action is
subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate Affiliated
Association.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the
Game use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who
may be selected from 5 players.
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than
5 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 ten minutes duration, but it shall not
exceed fifteen minutes The half time interval may only be altered with the
consent of the referee.
REPORTING RESULTS
11. (A) The (Registration) Secretary must receive within 4 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) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any
other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will
incur a fine of £10.00 and/or the Club being dealt with as the
Management Committee decide.
(B) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a
responsible member of the Club. A Club which submits an incomplete
form or incorrect information shall be fined £10.00. Clerical errors
contained in the result sheet will not be accepted.
Either Team captain may inspect the result sheet upon request.
Both teams shall insert the names and forenames (in block capitals) of
the registered players and substitutes that PLAYED for their team in
the match on the result sheet provided, within 15 minutes of the
completion of the match, or in default be fined the sum of £10.00
On completion of this, the referee shall insert the result of the match
together with the time of kick-off, indicating the Club responsible for
any late start.
After the referee has completed all obligations, BOTH CLUBS shall
complete the referee assessment form (match in all Divisions to be
assessed).
A fine of £10.00 will be imposed for recording an assessment prior to
the signature of the referee. The assessment of the Referee is strictly
confidential and must not be advertised.
18
Any Club assessing a referee with a mark of 50, or less,
must submit a report to the League Registration Secretary
within 96 hours of the match, indicating OBJECTIVE reasons
for the low mark. Failure so to do will incur a fine of £10.00,
with the report still being a requirement of the League.
The Home Club shall be responsible for the safe keeping of the result
sheet and referee assessment form, and shall forward both to the
League Registration Secretary, in the envelope provided, within 96
hours of the conclusion of the match, or in default be fined the sum of
£10.00.
Alterations without the Referees signature will incur a fine of £10.00.
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.
Should two or more teams in a Division have an equal number of points
goal difference shall be the deciding factor in determining the winners of
the Division. Should goal difference also be equal a deciding match or
matches will be arranged by the League.
(B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first three teams in each
Division from the lowest Intermediate Division up to Senior Division 2.
Automatic relegation shall apply to the last three teams in each
Division from Senior Division 1 down to the penultimate Intermediate
Division.
RE-election to the Premier Division; At the end of the playing season
THREE vacancies shall become available in the Premier Division. The
Clubs occupying the bottom three places in the Premier Division
become eligible to apply for re-election to that Division. The written
application to be received by the League Hon. General Secretary no
later than 31st may, shall be made on club headed note paper and
signed by the Club Chairman, secretary and Treasurer, stating a case
for retention in the Premier Division for the consideration of the
League Executive.
The first three teams in Senior Division 1 shall be eligible to apply for
election to the Premier Division.
In any season when a Division has fallen below its initial complement of
teams, the League Officers have the power to reduce or suspend
relegation as necessary.
When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve
team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must
accept relegation to, or retain its position in the next lower Division;
and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division, its
reserve team automatically retires from the Competition.
Should any or all of the three leading teams in any of the Divisions
have its senior team in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall
19
fall to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned.
The Officers of the League shall have the power to consider and
finalize the position of teams in all Divisions, and to promote
additional teams to make any Division up to strength; also to create or
to abolish a Division as necessary, and to promote or relegate
additional teams in order to accommodate such change.
REFEREES
13. (A) Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed 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 same procedure to apply in the event of a Referee being unable to
complete a match due to sickness, injury or other unforeseen
circumstance.
(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or
upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant
Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not
appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure
to do so will result in a fine of £10.00 being imposed on the defaulting
Team.
(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 unless the ground is declared fit for play.
(E) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge
standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 25p
per mile, calculated from the official%u2019s normal place of residence, and
return, together with the following match fees:
Referee £20:00 Registered Referees appointed by the Management
Committee as Assistant Referees £15.00, subject to any limits laid
down by the sanctioning Association(s).
The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses, in their
dressing room, within fifteen minutes of the termination of the match, or
in default be fined the sum of £10.00.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over
which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be
entitled to half fee plus expenses. 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 engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory
explanation as to his non-appearance, may be reported to the Association
with which he is registered.
20
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The
Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and
the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to
the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to
comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the
Management Committee shall determine.
The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form
provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary
to The Football Association/County Association.
(J) The Referee shall complete the match result sheet, giving the result of
the match, the time of kick off and reporting the Club responsible for
a late and enter the payment received. When completed, return it to
the Home Team.
(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a
copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
(L) Referees must, where a fixture appears unlikely to take place due to
adverse weather conditions or the non appearance of one or both
teams, stay in attendance for at least 30 minutes after the scheduled
time of kick-off and report to the League Hon. General Secretary.
Clubs causing a late start to be reported on the match result sheet. Full
report of abandoned matches to be forwarded to the League Hon.
General Secretary.
Referees in charge of Premier Division Fixtures are required to submit
Bill Rees Sportsmanship Shield match assessments to the League
Referee%u2019s Secretary within seven days, in the stamped addressed
envelope provided.
CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR
WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
14. (A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or
having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition
on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the
Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31st March each
Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £500.00.
(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from
the Competition after the Annual General Meeting for the following
Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding
£ 1 0 0 . 0 0 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which
may be made under Rule 5 (B), Such Club or Team shall also be liable for
the appropriate Annual Subscription
The playing record of any withdrawn team to be expunged.
(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the
Annual General Meeting the Competition shall have the right,
irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club
to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may
hold the Club to its engagements
The foregoing to also apply to any Club effecting a change of title but
still maintaining the same Officers and Trustees.
21
(D) 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%u2019s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member
shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to
the Club%u2019s 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 the venue will not be entertained by the Management
Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the
commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not
proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall
be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are
special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full
particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in
duplicate with the General Secretary within seven (7) days (excluding
Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or
complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the
Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who
is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness
or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being
determined.
(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred
for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be
binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
(D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management
Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the
Secretary a sum of £25.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in
the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing 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.
(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity
to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and
must have received seven (7) days notice of the hearing, together with a
copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the
Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by
the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly
used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
22
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 Devon County
Football Association, including a fee of £50.00, for adjudication of a
Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA
Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and
shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision
of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special
General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
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,
the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club
or Team from further membership which must be supported by (more
than) two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point
shall be conducted by ballot.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for
the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited
delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further
participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their
opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) two-
thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be
conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote
being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule,
other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player
or players of another Club in the 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.
23
TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.
18. (A) 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 Association may decide.
(B) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the
Cup or Trophy:
%u201CWe A_________________and B______________________, the Chairman
and Secretary of ________________________FC, members of and
representing the Club, having been declared winners of
_____________________Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us
by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally
agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or
before 31st March, duly engraved and in a presentable condition. 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.%u201D
Clubs returning Trophies after the 31st March will be fined £5.00 per
day thereafter.
(C) At the close of each Competition awards shall be made to the
winners and runners-up..
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 any
time.
At least seven days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule,
together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.
Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all
Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.
Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special
General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given may be fined at
the discretion of the Management Committee.
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to
attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
20. Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General
Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the
purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during
the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall
not take effect until the following season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General
Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 22nd April in each year.
The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management
Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 1st May and any
amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 15th May. The
24
proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs
with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a
Rule shall be carried if a majority of those present and entitled to vote are
in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual
General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the
sanctioning Football Association 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.
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 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 £100.00 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 31st March.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared
and shall be verified annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be
appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
CHILD PROTECTION
1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or
children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall
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