THE EAST HERTS CORINTHIAN SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

 

 

 

 

THE EAST HERTS CORINTHIAN SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sanctioned by the Hertfordshire Football Association

Founded 1993


RULE BOOK 2007-2008

STANDARD CODE OF CONDUCT

To be applied in conjunction with the standard code of Rules

1. All persons must conduct themselves in a responsible and orderly manner

2. Conduct must be based on the principal of upholding high standards of sportsmanship and the spirit of the game, before, during and after a match

3. Secretaries, Managers and players must recognise and understand the need to conduct themselves within the laws of the game

4. Clubs must pay particular attention to any excesses of misconduct caused by their players, officials or spectators. Such behaviour must be stopped immediately at Club level

5. Clubs will be encouraged to pursue their own policies regarding fair play and good conduct within this code. Preventative action at Club level will ensure we maintain the high standards of football within our League.

6. These standards will be vigorously promoted and enforced through the Rules of this League.


CLUB OFFICIALS PLEASE NOTE

The League’s Rules are designed to help everyone connected with the organisation of the League to do their job efficiently at the minimum cost in time and money to officials and players alike.

Every time a Rule is broken it means inconvenience and expense to players and officials in the League and the fines imposed are a reflection of the cost of the infringement to the League as a whole.

Secretaries are reminded that prompt attention to administration saves the League Officials time, and your Club their much needed funds.

Please ensure you know the rules and abide by them

 

Rule 1 Constitutional Rules of the League
2 Management, Nomination and Election of Officers
3 The Annual General Meeting
4 Officers of the Management Committee
5 Powers of the Management
6 Application Fee, Deposit and Annual Subscription payments
7 Agreement to be signed
8 Withdrawal of a Club
9 Special Meetings
10 Alteration to Rules


Part 2 Playing Qualification and Conduct Rules Rules 11 to 15

11 Club Name and Playing Colours
12 Qualification of Players and Registration
13 Playing Season, Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-off,
Postponements and Substitutes
14 League Challenge Cup (L.C.C.) and Divisional Shield Rules
15 Results and Result Cards


Part 3 Disciplinary and Other Rules Rules 16 to 22

16 Points to determine Championship, Deciding Matches,
Promotions and Relegations
17 Referees and Disciplinary Points
18 Board of appeal
19 Protest, Appeals and Appeal Deposits
20 Exclusion of Clubs and Misconduct
21 Trophies and Legal Ownership
22 Rules Binding on Clubs

PART 1 CONSTITUTION RULES

RULE 1 Constitutional Rules Of The League
(A) The combination of Clubs shall be designated the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League and shall consist of not more than fifty two Clubs who shall be full members.

All such Clubs shall be affiliated to the Hertfordshire Football Association and shall have headquarters situated in Hertford, Ware and the surrounding area and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on Form “D” to the Hertfordshire Football Association.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have the power to decide or adjust the constitutions of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 16(B).

(C) The constituent teams will be grouped in divisions each not exceeding fifteen in number.


RULE 2 Management, Nomination and Election of Officers
(A) The League will be governed in accordance with the Rules, Regulations and Practices of the Football Association by a Council to be called the League Council and consisting of one delegate from each Full Member Club and a Management Committee comprised of Officers who will be elected at the Annual General Meeting

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers shall be nominated in writing by two members to the League Secretary not later than 1st May in any year. Names of those nominated shall be circulated with the Notice of the Annual General Meeting.

In the event of there being no nomination for office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

(C) The League Council shall meet as often as is necessary. The Management Committee shall deal with business as it arises.

(D) Within fourteen days of election each Club will nominate it’s delegates to the League Council for the ensuing season.

(E) Except with the permission of the Management Committee, a Club shall not change it’s elected delegate during the season, but may appoint a deputy to act in the unavoidable absence of it’s elected delegate.

(F) Except where otherwise stated, all communications shall be addressed to the League Secretary who shall conduct the affairs and correspondence of the League and maintain an accurate record of the proceedings.


RULE 3 The Annual General Meeting
(A) An Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than the 7th of June each year for the purpose of:

(i) The adoption of the minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting and any business arising therefrom.
(ii) The presentation and adoption of the Annual Report, balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iii) Determining the constitution of the League for the ensuing season, including the election of Clubs to fill any vacancies.
(iv) Election of Officers and Auditors
(v) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(vi) To fix a date for the start and conclusion of the playing season.
(vii) Any other business (of which notice has been given).

(B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least seven days prior to the meeting.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Hertfordshire Football Association within seven days of it’s adoption by the Annual General Meeting

(D) Each full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

(E) Clubs who are 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 hands unless a ballot be demanded by at least one third of the delegates present or the Chairperson so decides. No Representative shall be allowed to vote on any matter concerning the Club they are representing.

(G) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory explanation shall be fined £25.

(H) Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Annual General Meetings


RULE 4 Officers of the Management Committee
The Officers of the League Management Committee shall be President, Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, League Secretary, Treasurer, Fines Secretary, Results Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Cup Competitions Secretary, Referees Secretary and any other Officers that the Committee deems necessary, who will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.


RULE 5 Powers of the Management
(A) The Management Committee may appoint an Emergency Committee and/or such other sub-committee as they may consider necessary and may delegate all or any of their powers to such committees. The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee.

(B) The Management Committee may (subject to the permission of the Hertfordshire Football Association having been first obtained) order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the League, and, if necessary, may call upon each Club to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.

(C) Each Member of the League Council shall be entitled to attend all League Council Meetings and have one vote, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly relating to him or herself or to the Club he or she represents (This principal will apply to the procedure of any Committee.).

Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all League Council and Management Committee meetings.

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

(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the League and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the League, including any not provided for by the Rules.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the Board of Appeal (in accordance with Rule 19).

Decisions must be notified in writing to all concerned within ten days.

(F) Five members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Management Committee business, a minimum of 51% of members of the League Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of League Council business and three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business for any sub-committee of the League.

(G) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies that may occur on the Management Committee and be empowered to co-opt Members as necessary.

(H) No Club shall be fined, or otherwise dealt with for any breach of rule or misconduct until they have been advised in writing of the charge(s) against them and have had an opportunity to be heard by, or to submit their written observations to the Management Committee in accordance with Rule 19(C).

All fines and charges must be paid to the Fines Secretary within fourteen days of the notification or imposition (unless otherwise ordered), failure to comply shall result in an additional fine not exceeding £25 being imposed and failure to pay fines by the re-advised date shall result in the Club being suspended from the League until such time as all fines etc. are paid in full.

(I) A Club failing to be represented at a League Council meeting or any other Special Meeting may be fined £25 and failing to be represented at three consecutive meetings without satisfactory reasons being given shall be further dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

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

(J) A Club having failed to comply with any order or instruction of the Management Committee within fourteen days of receipt of notice of such an order or within fourteen days of an operative date specified in that order, shall not be allowed to play or take part in the business of the League until the order has been complied with and a reason for the delay has been furnished to the League Secretary who shall submit it to the Management Committee for their adjudication.

In the event of a Club failing to fulfill a fixture because of suspension the Management Committee may at its discretion award the match and three points to the opposition (with goals for and against being counted as 0 - 0).

Teams suspended by the Herts FA for non-payment of fines, must pay any due fines by the Wednesday preceding a scheduled match. Failure to do so will result in the match being awarded along with three points to the opposition (with goals for and against being counted as 0 - 0).

(K) A Club found guilty of persistent infringement of League Rules or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or correspondence of the League shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £25 or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee (subject to Rule 19).

It is also the responsibility of a Club Secretary to inform the League Secretary of any period of six or more days of his/her absence due to holidays, work or other reason.

(L) Any Club failing to provide a stamped, self addressed envelope for any correspondence which requires a mailed reply may be fined £5.

(M) Any person appointed by the League to attend a match may have his or her expenses refunded by the League.

(N) All Clubs shall take a minimum of four tickets to the Annual Presentation Evening, which must be paid for as part of and with the Annual Subscription as referred to in Rule 6(C).

(O) Any Club wishing to participate in any competition during the playing season which is conducted by an organisation other than, the E.H.C.S.F.L. or Herts F.A. must first seek permission from the Management Committee.


RULE 6 Application Fee, Deposit and Annual Subscription Payments
(A) Applications by new Clubs for admission to the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League must be made in writing to the League Secretary no later than 30th April each year and must be accompanied by an Application fee, in accordance with the scale laid down from time to time by the Management Committee, which shall be refundable in the event on non-election.

(B) Each new Club shall, by 30th April each year pay a Deposit in accordance with the scale laid down from time to time by the Management Committee, which shall be refundable to Clubs on withdrawing from the League provided that they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

(C) The Annual Subscription per Club shall be in accordance with the scale laid down from time to time by the Management Committee, and shall be payable on or before the Annual General Meeting each year. Should payment not be received by this date an additional levy of £15 will be imposed.

Clubs elected into the League after the Annual General Meeting will not be asked to pay the additional levy.

As an addendum to the Annual Subscription there will be an amount equivalent to the cost of four tickets for the Annual Presentation Evening as referred to in Rule 5(N).
The Annual Membership fee to be raised to £60 for season 2006/2007

(D) No Club shall participate in a League match until the Application Fee, Deposit and Annual Subscription have been paid as appropriate. Failure to comply with this Rule may incur a fine under the provisions of Rule 5(K)
(E) Clubs must advise the League Secretary in writing by 1st August annually of their County Football Association affiliation number.

(F) All payments to the League must be made by Cheque or Postal Order and shall be made payable to the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League and not to any individually named Officer.


Rule 7 Agreement to be Signed
The Chairperson, Secretary and two responsible members of each Club shall complete and sign an agreement form annually which shall be deposited with the League Secretary prior to the Club taking part in any matches in this League.
This agreement will state that the Club has been provided with a copy of the Rules of the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League and agrees to conform to those Rules and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management of the League, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 19.

Any alteration of the Chairperson and/or Secretary of the Club named on the above agreement must be notified to the League Secretary and the Hertfordshire Football Association.

Rule 8 Withdrawal of a Club
(A) Any Club intending to withdraw from the League on completion of it’s fixtures must notify the League Secretary in writing before the Annual General Meeting each year, or be liable to a fine not exceeding £25.

Clubs in membership not having notified the League Secretary of their intention to withdraw shall be assumed to be continuing in Membership the following season.

(B) Any Club withdrawing it’s team or teams from the League after the Annual General Meeting shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £50


Rule 9 Special Meetings
The Management Committee shall convene a General or Special Meeting at any time should it consider it necessary. The League Secretary shall convene a General Meeting upon receipt of a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in the League. At least seven days notice shall be given of all meetings under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meetings.


Rule 10 Alterations to Rules
Suggested alterations to the Rules of the League may be submitted a minimum of twenty eight days prior to the Annual General Meeting and shall be sent to the League Secretary, in duplicate. Alterations may also be made at a General Meeting specially convened for the purpose in conformity with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become effective until the approval of the Association issuing sanction has been obtained.


PART 2 PLAYING QUALIFICATION & CONDUCT RULES

 

Rule 11 Club Name and Playing Colours
(A) Every Club must register it’s colours with the League. Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the Referee.

In the event of two Clubs, in the opinion of the Referee, having the same or similar colours, then the home team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours when required shall be fined £5.

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

All teams must wear different numbered shirts in all League and Cup matches, or will be liable to a fine not exceeding £10.

(B) Any Club wishing to change it’s colours whilst Members of this League must seek the permission of the Management Committee.

(C) Any Club wishing to change it’s name whilst Members of this League must seek the permission of the Management Committee and must do so prior to returning Form “D” to the Hertfordshire Football Association.


Rule 12 Qualification of Players and Registration
(A) A bona-fide playing member of a Club is one who has signed a fully and correctly completed League registration form in ink, accompanied with a £3 registration fee and two passport quality photographs of the player, and has registered with the Registration Secretary FIVE CLEAR days prior to playing and who’s completed registration counterfoil and identity card has been received by the players Club prior to his playing.

Failure to comply with the above may incur a fine not exceeding £5 per player.

(B) Any bona-fide playing member of a Club shall be eligible to play in this League (subject to other relevant clauses in these Rules) provided he has not, in the current season, been registered for another Club in the League unless a duly authorised permission for his transfer has been obtained from the Club to which he is attached (see Clauses C and D).

(C) A player, having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to the Herts F.A. or any other County Association, shall not be allowed to register or re-register for a Club in this League without first, proving to the Officials of his intended Club that he has discharged his reasonable financial liabilities to his previous Club, League or County, and a Club Official may not accept such a players signature without ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged, to the satisfaction of the Club, League or County for which he last played.

A player who previously was a member of a Club which has withdrawn or been expelled from the League without fulfilling it’s financial liabilities will not be allowed to transfer or register for another Club in the League without paying his part of the financial obligation owed by the Club to the League.


(D) Any player wanting to transfer from one Club to another shall first obtain and submit a correctly completed transfer form to the Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £3 plus two new passport quality photographs and the players old identity card. Such application shall be referred by the Registration Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should the Club object to the transfer it should state it’s objections in writing to the Registration Secretary within seven days of receipt of the application.

Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon it’s failure to give written objection within seven days, the Registration Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee transfer the player and he shall be deemed eligible to play for his new Club five days after receipt of such transfer. No transfers shall be granted after 1st March.

In the event of an objection to a transfer, the matter shall be referred to the Appeals Sub-Committee for a decision.

(E) A player is not eligible to play in this League who is under Contract or receives any form of payment for playing, other than expenses as per Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of Article 1 of F.I.F.A. regulations.

(F) A team may register up to a maximum of twenty four players for this League. All registrations must be submitted on a registration form, obtained from the Registration Secretary and accompanied by a £3 registration fee and two passport quality photographs of the player and a stamped, self addressed envelope, failure to comply shall incur a further fee of £3.

No registration changes will be accepted after 1st March (except under special circumstances and by permission of the Management Committee).

Each Club must register a minimum of sixteen players per team no later than, in the case of new teams, 19th July and existing teams, no later than 10th August each year. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £25.

(G) The loss of any identity card must be immediately reported to the Registrations Secretary. A request for a renewal must be accompanied by two new passport photographs and a fee of £3 will be charged. Tampered identity cards will be classed as VOID and will be re-issued subject to agreement of the Management Committee. All identity cards will be returned to the Registration Secretary after the Clubs final match of the season and before the Annual General Meeting in a sealed envelope. Any Club failing to do so will be dealt with by the Management Committee under Rule 5(K).


A Club must return the identification card and registration counterfoil of any player to be transferred or de-registered to the Registration Secretary.

(H) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes and shall have the power to reject any application for registration or cancel a registration as it sees fit.

No Club will be allowed to re-register more than two players in any one season from a Club or Clubs who have withdrawn or been expelled


from the League except when it has been agreed by the Management Committee that special circumstances apply. Any player found guilty of repetitious violent conduct or bringing the League into disrepute or who incurs six or more penalty points from his County association for dissent, foul or abusive language or other serious offence(s) to a match official will have his registration revoked.

The Referees Secretary will use a penalty points based system as adopted by the Herts F.A. to monitor misconduct of clubs & players.

(I) It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to play for more than one Club in the League in the same season without first being transferred. It shall also be deemed misconduct for a player to submit a signed registration form that he has willfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(J) It shall be compulsory for both Clubs to inspect the opposition players identification cards, which must be made available from fifteen minutes prior to kick-off, and at any point by a representative of the Management Committee (see also Rule 15(B)).

Any player who’s identification cards is not available for inspection by the opposition, prior to a match, must not take part in that match.

If any Club fails to supply it’s players identification cards for inspection, the match must not take place and may be awarded as an unfulfilled fixture at the discretion of the Management Committee. A Club shall keep a list of it’s players and a record of the games in which they played and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.

(K) A register containing the names of all Members registered for each Club, with the date of registration shall be kept by the Registration Secretary and shall be open to inspection of any appointed Club representative at League Council Meetings or at other times mutually agreed with the Registration Secretary.

(L) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in the E.H.C.S.F.L. League Challenge Cup, Divisional Shield or special championship deciding match unless he has played a minimum of two League games for that team in the current season.

No player may play for more than one team in the League Challenge Cup competition, in any one season and any player in breach of this Rule shall be classed as ineligible as per Rule11(N).
A player may take part in more than one Divisional Shield competition, but not in the same Division, provided he has played two or more League games for that Club.

(M) Any Club, upon receipt of notification of a players suspension by any County Football Association, must notify the Registration Secretary of the period of suspension, fourteen days prior to its implementation. Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with Rule5(K).

(N) Any Club playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have a maximum of three points deducted from its score (or in the event of a cup match, award the tie) and may be liable to a fine not exceeding £25 and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee. In the event of points being deducted from a teams score, only such points as are associated with the match under report shall be deducted. The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award any points from a Club under this rule to the opponents in the match in question.

(O) No boys under the age of sixteen years of age shall be allowed to compete in any of the Leagues matches.

(P) Clubs with reserve teams must register players for either the first or reserve team.

No more than two players from a first team may play for a reserve team in any one match. Similarly, no more than four players from a reserve team may play for a first team in any one match.


RULE 13 Playing Season, Conditions Of Play, Times Of Kick-Off,
Postponements And Substitutes.
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall fix the date in the following season on which the normal playing season of the competition shall terminate and no Club shall be compelled to play after that date.

Any Club not having completed their fixtures by the closing date shall be liable to a fine of £10 per match not completed. Fixtures not completed due to circumstances beyond a Club’s control will be taken into account.

Fixtures will be arranged by the Fixture Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, (if appropriate), who shall have the authority to make such alterations as he/she may deem expedient.

At the discretion of the Fixture Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, if appropriate, Clubs may be required to play a double fixture on the same day, (these will consist of two separate matches, each of sixty minutes duration). Clubs failing to comply will be dealt with as for non-fulfillment of fixtures.

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as defined by the International Football Association Board.
All matches shall be played on grounds deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have the power to order the venue to be changed.

Matches shall be of ninety minutes duration (forty five minutes each half) but in cases where both clubs are in agreement or where the Referee considers it necessary due to inclement weather or fading light, the duration may be reduced to a minimum of sixty minutes (thirty minutes each half).



The half time interval shall not exceed a maximum of ten minutes which may be altered only with the permission of the Referee.


(C) The time of kick-off shall be 10.30am Sunday (unless ruled otherwise by the local authority or pitch owners).

Mid week matches shall be arranged and played as and when is necessary.

Any Club not ready to kick-off at the appointed time shall be liable to a fine of £5 for each (or part of) five minute period that they are late, up to a maximum of £15 for a late kick-off not exceeding fifteen minutes. Any Club not ready to kick-off within 15 minutes of the appointed time may be deemed to have conceded the match to it’s opponents with the opposition being awarded three points (with goals for and against being counted as 0-0).

There shall be no obligation on the Referee to commence a match later than fifteen minutes after the appointed time of kick-off and he shall receive his fee in full as if the match had taken place.

Referees must order matches to commence on time if possible and must report any late kick-offs to the Referees Secretary.

(D) The designated home Club must arrange the correct booking of, and full payment for the pitch. Clubs defaulting on their responsibility to correctly book a pitch in advance may be fined a maximum of £25.

The designated home Club must supply or make arrangements to supply a pair of nets, four corner flags and at least two balls fit for play, all of which must be in place and ready for use by the appointed kick-off time. Clubs failing to comply with the above may be fined up to £10 per offence.

Matches will not take place without nets and if the correct sized corner flags (minimum of five feet). are not supplied home club will be fined £10.

(E) In the event of a Club being unable to book a pitch for a morning kick-off due to lack of availability, Clubs must arrange an afternoon kick-off or in default be fined £25.

If a Club’s usual pitch is deemed unplayable, Clubs must endeavour to find a pitch elsewhere. Clubs refusing an afternoon fixture and unable to provide a venue for a morning kick-off may be fined a maximum of £25 and dealt with as per unfulfilled fixture.

In the event of an afternoon kick-off being required, the home Club must notify the Fixture Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, the Referees Secretary and the Referee no later than 9.00pm on the Thursday preceding the match. Clubs failing to comply with the above may be fined £15.

Except with the written mutual consent of both Clubs (a copy of which must be with the Fixture Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary if appropriate, and the Referees Secretary by the Friday preceding the



match), only pitch unavailability will warrant the changing of the kick-off time to an afternoon.

(F) Except by permission of the Fixtures Secretary, or the Cup Competitions Secretary if appropriate, all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but, priority shall be given to the Football Association and all County Association competitions.

League Challenge Cup or Divisional Shield fixtures shall take precedence over League fixtures and where necessary in the case of unavoidable postponements, all postponed League fixtures shall be re-scheduled at the discretion of the Fixtures Secretary.

A Club wishing to postpone a fixture must first obtain the permission of the Fixtures Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, if appropriate, at least twenty one days in advance, having obtained the necessary permission, the postponing Club must inform the Secretary of the opposition, in writing, immediately.

Failure by a Club to comply with this Rule may incur all pitch and/or Referee costs incurred by the opposing team and may be dealt with by the Management Committee who may award the match to the opposition and/or impose a fine not exceeding £25.

(G) Home and away fixtures shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to fulfill a fixture or postponing a match where twenty one days notice has not been given, but more than seven days notice has been given (other than those covered by Rule 17(D)) the Management Committee may at it’s discretion fine the offending Club up to a maximum of £25.

Postponing a match where less than seven days notice has been given, shall be dealt with as per an unfulfilled fixture, with the opposition being awarded three points (with goals for and against being counted as 0-0) and the offending Club incurring a fine of £25.

(H) Clubs may only bring forward a match on written application, to, and with the written consent of the Fixtures Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, if appropriate.

(I) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice by telephone (and in writing if requested) of full particulars of the situation of the ground to the Referee and time of kick-off and means of reaching the ground to the Referee and the Secretary of the opposing Club by 9.00pm on the Wednesday prior to the playing of a match. Failure to comply with the above may incur a fine of £15.

The Secretary of the away Club is to advise the Fixtures Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, if appropriate by 9:00pm on the Thursday prior to the playing of the match if confirmation of the fixture has not been received. Failure to comply with the above will incur a fine of £10.

(J) A minimum of seven players will constitute a team for a League match.

In the event of a Club being unable to field seven or more players they shall forfeit the match and be dealt with as per an unfulfilled fixture, with the opposition being awarded three points (with goals for and against being counted as 0-0).


(K) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall (subject to clause (L)) be replayed in it’s entirety on a date to be arranged by the Fixtures Secretary or Cup Competitions Secretary, if appropriate and approved by the Management Committee, subject to the provision of clause (D).



(L) The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in cases where it is to the advantage of the League and does no injustice to any of the Clubs, be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to be recorded as the result.

In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of one Club or it’s Club Member or Members they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to it’s opponents.

In cases where the match is abandoned due to the conduct of both Club or their Club Members, the Management Committee shall take such action as they deem necessary. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Football Association.

(M) A Club may at it’s discretion use any three from up to a maximum of five named substitute players at any time except to replace a player who has been suspended from the game by the Referee after the game has commenced.

Name of substitute players must be give to the Referee prior to the commencement of the match. Substitutes not so named shall take no part in the match.

A player who has been selected as a substitute but does not actually play in the match shall not be considered to have taken part in that match.
RULE 14 League Challenge Cup (L.C.C.), Divisional Shield, Jubilee Cup Rules
League Rules shall apply with the following exceptions

(A) These competitions shall be known as the League Challenge Cup and Divisional Shields and shall be competed for annually by all sides playing in the League. The entrance fee shall be included in the Annual Subscription.

(B) Clubs shall compete in the League Challenge Cup on a League format to determine quarter-finalists which will be played on a knock-out basis.

Clubs shall compete in the Divisional Shield in one or two leg knock-out matches. In the case of two leg matches these shall be home and away, with the first Club drawn being the home Club in the first leg (subject to pitch availability).

(C) Only players registered prior to the first League game shall be eligible to play throughout the current season in the League Challenge Cup and Divisional Shield competitions.



Any players registered after the first League match must have played two league matches in the current season prior to participating in the League Challenge Cup and Divisional Shield competitions.

The restrictions of Rule 12(F) Para.2 will also apply.

(D) Any Club found guilty of fielding an ineligible player may be struck from the competition and suffer such penalties as may be deemed appropriate by the Management Committee.

(E) The ties shall be drawn and the competition matches played as the Management Committee determines.

(F) Referee appointments (and Assistant Referees when appointed) shall be made by the Referees Secretary, who shall appoint neutral Assistant Referees for all semi-finals and finals as per Rule 17(C).

All match expenses shall be equally shared between competing teams except for L.C.C. and Divisional Shield finals where the League will pay all match expenses.

Match Officials who have the honour, will not receive payment for L.C.C. and Divisional Shield & Jubilee Cup finals, but can choose between a Cup final Memento or claim 27p a mile expenses.

(G) The semi-final and final ties shall be played on such grounds as the Management Committee may determine. Semi-finals are to be played on neutral grounds where possible.

(H) In the event of a Cup knock-out match being tied at full time in a single leg match or at the end of the second leg in a two leg match, a further thirty minutes of extra time shall be played (away goals rule will not apply). If the teams are still drawn after this period, teams will take five penalties each. If the game is still drawn then sudden death penalties will commence.
(I) It is the responsibility of both Clubs to telephone the result of the match through to the Results Secretary on the day of the match before 6:00pm and the Results Secretary must receive an official result card, both as per League rules.

(J) A Club scratching from these competitions shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be dealt with as the Management Committee shall direct.

(K) All bookings, sendings off and all disciplinary matters arising in either Cup competitions shall be carried over into the League

(L) In both the L.C.C. and Divisional Shield the two finalists shall both receive 16 medals, with extra medals available at cost price.

(M) The Jubilee Cup will be competed for at the invitation of the management committee, the same rules will apply as the L.C.C. and the Divisional Shields with the exception being a £10 entry fee, payable by each participating club.


RULE 15 Results and Result Cards
(A) The Results Secretary, must receive an official result card, bearing a first class stamp postmarked for the immediate Monday following the match, (or in the event of a mid-week match the following day), from each Club or within three days of the date played. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall incur a fine of £10, plus £3 per day (after the three day period) to a maximum of £21 after which Rule 5(K) shall apply.

(B) The result of the match, initials and surnames of players, Referee’s name and marks awarded, must be written in block letters on the result card. The correctly completed card, along with the I.D cards of the players that took part in the match, shall be presented to a responsible member of the opposition for his signature within fifteen minutes of the completion of the match. Failure to comply with this Rule shall incur a fine £10.

Clubs who award a Referee a mark that is four or below must submit a written report of explanation to the Referees Secretary within four days of the match, or be liable to a fine of £5.

Results will only be accepted on official result cards.

(C) It is the responsibility of the match Referee to telephone the result of match to the Referees Secretary by 6pm on the day of the match or by
9.30pm if mid week.

In the event of any Club playing in any County Cup match the Club shall telephone the result to the Cup Competitions Secretary before 6.00pm on the day of the match, failure to comply with this rule shall incur a fine of £5.

In the event of any fixture (including County Cup Competitions) being postponed, The Secretary of the home Club must inform the Fixtures Secretary, Results Secretary, Referees Secretary, and if a County cup match, the Cup Competitions Secretary, as soon as possible. Failure to notify the above named Officers will incur a fine of £15.

(D) No match result shall be officially recorded as such if there has been an infringement of the rules by either Club which is the subject of an appeal or enquiry, until the appeal or enquiry has been heard and/or an adjudication made.


PART 3 DISCIPLINARY AND OTHER RULES

Rule 16 Points to Determine Championship, Deciding Matches, Promotion and Relegations
(A) The League shall be decided by points, with three points to be given for a win and one for a draw.

In the event of two or more Clubs being equal on points for any position in any of the League tables, goal difference and then goal average shall decide. In the event of two or more Clubs being level on points, goal difference and goal average for any important position at the close of the League, a deciding match(es) shall be played under conditions arranged by the Management Committee.

(B) Promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first three teams in each division except as decided hereunder.

(i) Should more than two teams withdraw from any one division after the fixtures have been commenced and their vacancies not filled during the season, then, no team in that division shall be automatically relegated (subject to Rule 1(B)).

(ii) When a senior team is relegated to a lower division of which it’s reserve team is a member or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to or retain it’s position in the next lower division.

Should the senior team be relegated to the lowest division, then, it’s reserve team shall automatically assume the status of a separate entry (i.e. Club) for the duration of the current season with Rules (Qualifications and Registrations see Rule 12) as applying to a separate Club. Under these circumstances Rule 12(P) will not apply.

(iii) Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the divisions have it’s senior team in the next higher division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the League Council Meeting, to the next highest team or teams in the division concerned.

(C) In the event of a Club not completing the first half of its fixtures (i.e. having played each Club in the division once) for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such a defaulting Club shall be expunged from the League tables. If such a Club has played each Club in the division more than once, only the points resulting from the first match shall count, all other results shall be expunged from the League tables.

(D) The Management Committee shall have the power to order any deciding match to be played and may apportion any costs incurred. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule will be dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.


Rule 17 Referees and Disciplinary points
(A) Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Referees Secretary wherever possible.

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee, both Clubs shall mutually agree upon a Referee. A Referee, mutually agreed upon, shall for that match have full powers of a registered Referee and shall complete the full match.

In the event that Clubs cannot mutually agree upon a Referee, both Clubs shall share pitch expenses and shall submit their written explanation to the League Secretary within three days, and shall be dealt with at the discretion Management Committee.

(C) Each Club must provide an Assistant Referee of at least fourteen years of age or be liable to a fine of £5.

If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, a match requires independent Assistant Referees, the Management Committee shall be empowered to appoint Assistant Referees, the cost of which shall be a maximum of half the Referees fee per Assistant Referee, this cost to be shared equally between the Clubs concerned.

(D) The appointed Referee or other Official acting in proxy for the Referee shall have the power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and his decision shall be final, unless rules, previously, unfit by the local authority or pitch owner.
The match Referee shall ensure that both teams inspect their opponents I/D cards before the commencement of the start of play.

(E) The home Club shall be responsible for the £35 payment to the Referee. Where Assistant Referees are appointed, it shall be the responsibility of both the home and away Clubs to equally share and pay their costs. Each Assistant Referee shall be paid £17.50

Failure to provide a match official with his/her full fee within fifteen minutes of the end of the match shall be liable to a maximum fine of £20.

(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 out of pocket expenses only (to be claimed through the league Treasurer), but where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall pay the official, if they reasonably attend at the ground, their full fee.

In the event of the non-appearance of one Club, the team in situ shall pay the Referee his full fee, this to be recovered from the League.

(G) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have his name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which he is registered.

(H) The Referee shall submit a Referee’s result card giving the result of the match, the time of kick-off, a mark out of ten for each Assistant Referee, a mark out of ten for sportsmanship and whether two balls (fit for play), two nets and four corner flags were supplied, this to be sent to the Referee’s Secretary within four days of the match.

The Referee shall submit a report form with the name of any player cautioned or sent off and the nature of the offence(s) to the Referee’s Secretary within four days of the match.

(I) The Management Committee reserves the right to enforce a period of withdrawal or the cancellation of a player’s registration where expedient.

(J) Referee’s shall report all cases of misconduct to the relevant Secretary of the Hertfordshire Football Association.

(K) Referees, once having accepted a League fixture, must not accept another appointment without first requesting his/her release from the Referee’s Secretary. Referees will be released for all Football Association and County Football Association matches provided his/her release is requested by the Wednesday preceding the match.


Rule 18 Board of Appeal
A board of Appeal shall be appointed by either the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League (Appeals Sub-Committee) or the Hertfordshire Football Association, as appropriate, to deal with cases as they arise.


Rule 19 Protests, Appeals and Appeal Deposits
(A) All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee, but no objection regarding the dimensions of the pitch, goal posts or other appurtenances of the game shall be entertained unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the match. Any Club lodging a protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of misconduct.

(B) Protests and complaints must be lodged with the League Secretary, in duplicate within (except where the Management Committee decides that there are special circumstances) four days of the match or occurrence. No protest shall be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee and a member of the Management Committee being a member of either Club shall not be present (except as witness or representative of his/her Club) when such protest is being considered.

(C) Any dispute between Clubs shall be referred to the arbitration of the Appeals Sub-Committee who’s decision shall be binding upon all parties (subject to Rule 19(F)).

(D) No protests of whatever nature, shall be considered by the Appeals Sub-Committee unless the complaining Club or Individual has deposited with the Fines Secretary a letter of appeal or mitigation, within seven days of receipt or notification of fine(s) and/or adjudication, together with an Appeals Deposit of £10 which may be


(E) forfeited in whole or part to the funds of the League in the event of a Club or Individual losing the case. The League shall have the power to order the defaulting Club, Individual or the Club making a frivolous protest to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs be shared as appropriate.

(F) Parties to a protest or complaint shall be afforded an opportunity of making a statement when the protest is being heard and where possible shall receive seven days notice of a meeting together with a copy of the protest.

The Appeals Sub-Committee shall take into consideration when dealing with the protest, the possession by the protesting Club of any information which if properly used might have avoided the protest.

(G) A Club, Player, or Official, within fourteen days of receipt by them of written notification of any decision of the League Council, Management Committee or Appeals Sub-Committee may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate, accompanied by the fee as laid down in the Herts F.A. rules, such appeals being addressed to the Secretary of the Hertfordshire Football Association for the adjudication of the Board of Appeal, whose decision shall be binding on all concerned.

In the event of the appeal being unsuccessful, the fee shall be forfeited or returned to the Club in whole or in part at the discretion of the Board of Appeal, who shall also decide by whom the cost of the appeal shall be borne.

A copy of the appeal must be sent to the League Secretary.

(A) At the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with Rule 9, a two-thirds majority of the delegates present shall have the power to exclude from the League any Club who’s conduct has in their opinion been objectionable. Voting on this point shall be conducted by secret ballot. A Club who’s conduct is the subject of the vote shall be excluded from the vote.

(B) Any League or Club Official or Member (including through association) proved guilty of misconduct (or in breach of the Leagues Code of Conduct), will be liable to a fine not exceeding £50 and/or expulsion from the League or such penalty as the Management Committee may decide and their Club may also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clause (A) of this Rule (the misconduct referred to is not in respect of misconduct on the field of play).


Rule 21 Trophies and Legal Ownership

Any trophy presented in relation to any competition organised by the League shall remain the property of the East Herts Corinthian Sunday Football League unless otherwise stated. Recipients of trophies shall sign an agreement stating that they agree to return the same to the League Secretary on or before a specified date and will, should the said Trophy become lost or damaged whilst under their care, agree to reimburse the amount of it’s current value or the cost of it’s thorough repair.

Any Club failing to return such Trophy by the 1st March shall be liable to a fine of £20.

Should any Club withdraw from the League, then any Trophy held by the Club must be immediately returned to the League Secretary.