League
Rules

18.A

A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:

1.  Registered through the Player Registration System and received approval from the Competition.  except in the case of a Player who has been registered on the day of a match. For any players registered on the day of a match, a Club Officer must email the Competition with details of the registration 1 hours prior to the scheduled kick off time in order for the player to be eligible to play in that match.  The Player shall not play again in any subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration system and  is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of 1 Players may be registered in this manner.

Or

2. signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing which is countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Competition within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match. The Player shall not play again on a in a subsequent match in the Competition until the Club has registered the player through The FA Player Registration System and is in possession of the approval from the Competition. A maximum of 1 Players may be registered in this manner

Any registration that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed and the player classed as unregistered. If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via the Player Registration System the registration will not be processed.

For Clubs registering Players under Rule 18.A.2. registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition.  For Clubs registering Players by the Player Registration System, Clubs must access the Player Registration System in order to complete the registration process.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

18.B

1.  Contract players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System. or Tiers 1-4 of the Women Pyramid System. 

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

3. Each team must have at least 16 Players registered 7 days before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

4. In the event of a Non-Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, or with a Club in another Competition their registration as a Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 18.B.1.

18.C

A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) shall be permitted to register for a Club but will be suspended from football activities if the Player does not comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.  

18.D

A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered. 

18.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 Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

18.F

It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to:

1.  Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.

2.  Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer, or  where the Competition adopts rule 18.P

3.  Submit a signed registration form as per  Rule 18 A.2  or submit a registration through the Player Registration System  that the Player had willfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

18.G

1.     The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rules 18.G.2 and 18.G.3 below.

2.      The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).

3.      The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.

Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

4.       A Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule 18(G)(iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition may consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.

 (Note: Action under Rule 18.G.3 shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)

18.H

Subject to compliance with FA Rule C  when a Club wishes to register a player who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer notification to the Competition via the Player Registration System. . A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff may be required.

Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the club for which the player is registered. Should this club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Competition and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 1 days after receipt of such transfer.

In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

18.I

A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31^st March except by special permission of the Management Committee

18.J

Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.

18.K

A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in Rule (22.A) unless the Player has played 2 Competition Matches for that Team in the current Playing Season. 

18.L.

A Team shall not include more than 11 Players who has/have taken part in 8 or more senior Competition Matches during the current Playing Season unless a period of 21 days has elapsed since they last played.

For the purpose of this Rule a senior competition(s) is a higher league division than the one the team is currently in.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 

18.M

1.     Subject to Rule 18.M.2 any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

2.      The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18.M.1  only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.

3.      Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18.M.2 above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion:

a)           Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or

b)           Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or

Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).

18.N

The following clause applies to Competitions involving Players in full-time secondary education:

1.      Priority must be given at all times to activities of schools and school organizations. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

2.      The availability of children and young people must be cleared with the Head Teachers or Principals (except for Sunday leagues competitions).

3.      To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.

18.O

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 an Officer of the Club at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only.

18.P

If a Club wishes to cancel a Player’s registration within the Competition, it must make a request via The FA’s electronic player registration system giving the reasons for the request. The Competition may either approve or decline the request.

If a Player’s registration is cancelled, he will not be eligible to re-register in the Competition for a period of 2 days from the date of cancellation

18.Q

Teams must have with them at every game played under the management of the League, a current Whole Game System Squad List. These must be exchanged by the two competing teams before the match and returned on conclusion. They must also be produced on demand to any League Official. Failure to observe this procedure or failure to produce the Whole Game System Squad List when requested shall render the Club liable to a fine and to such other additional action as may be decided by the Management Committee, which include the game being awarded to the opposition regardless of the result. If a Club does not have the Whole Game System Squad List a protest must be lodged in accordance with Rule 7 for adjudication by the Management Committee. If any irregularity is found, the matter will be dealt with by the Management Committee as provided by the Rules of this Competition on player eligibility (Rule 18).

19.A

Every team must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31^st July and the Competition Secretary shall decide as to their suitability.

19.B

Any team changing its colours during the Playing Season must notify the Competition Secretary immediately.

19.C

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.

19.D

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

19.E

Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents of the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper’s jersey) at least 4 days before the Competition Match.

19.F

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

19.G

Shirts must all be numbered and no two shirts shall have the same number, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff

20.A

All Competition 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 Competition 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 Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Match(es) on another ground.

Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.

The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20.C.

Within the National League System (“NLS”), and Regional NLS Feeder Leagues, all Competition Matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes. All other Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.

The times of kick-off shall be agreed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs and the Competition. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.

The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition If not provided. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

No overhead netting is allowed for 9v9 and 11v11 affiliated matches

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are removed for all affiliated matches in the NLS at Regional NLS Feeder League level

For those leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues:  Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are ideally removed for affiliated matches but if they cannot be removed then discretion is given to the match official to restart the match in accordance of the laws of the game.

20.B

Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally  agreed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).

20.C

An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the Ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing Club at least 4 clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

20.D

In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players which will constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7.

20.E

1.     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 impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except by the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a Competition 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.

2.              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.

3.             Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Fixtures Secretary, the Referees Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. If a Club has any legitimate expenses (to a maximum of £150) arising from the postponement then the Competition General Secretary must be advised by the Club Secretary within 14 days of the date of the postponed fixture. Note that documentary evidence of expenses may be required.

4.             In the event of a Competition Match not being played or being abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Competition Failing such agreement and notification to the (Competition within 7 days the Competition shall have the power to order the Match to be played on or before a given date. All costs are to be shared by both Clubs. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition. the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

5.             The Management Committee shall review all Competition 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 order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a Match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall award the points for the Match to the opponent. In cases where a Match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee can rule that the fixture be replayed on a date of the management committees choosing with the full costs covered 50/50 by both teams involved.  No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned Match.

6.         In addition to Rule 20 (E) (1) above (the requirements for home and away matches) if a division contains less than 9 teams then the Management Committee may order a further round of home and away Competition Matches to be played or a single round of Competition Matches each to be played at a ground agreed by both teams with all costs shared equally between the two teams. These additional matches shall have the same status and requirements as other Competition Matches under these Rules.

The Management Committee shall review any Match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 18(N) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

20.F

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used.

A Player who has been substituted becomes a substitute and may replace a Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

Where a Competition does allow return substitutes, a   Team may use up to 5 from 5 substitute Players in a Competition Match.

The referee [and a representative of the opposing Club] shall be informed of the names of the Players taking part in the Match (including the substitutes) not later than 15 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match.

A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition.

20.G

The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

20.H

The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of their teammates.  Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

20.I

In all cases of a Club failing to fulfil a fixture the below may be actioned.

1. Opposition clubs may claim, through the League Secretary, expenses actually incurred through such default, the award of such expenses being at the discretion of the Management Committee. All correspondence and claims for consideration by the Management Committee must be received within 7 days of the date of the fixture. Defaulting Clubs shall be fined an amount to be decided by the Management Committee.

2. Any club failing to fulfil a fixture more than three times in a playing season will be required to meet the management committee who then have the power to call an SGM with the purpose of putting the offending club up for expulsion and removing them from the competition.

20.J

Clubs using private grounds, where decisions about pitches’ fitness for play are not made by local authorities or match referees, must contact the Fixtures Secretary or, if he is unavailable, League Secretary, to see if an alternative pitch is available if theirs is deemed unfit for play by the day before the match in these circumstances. Clubs must play on an alternative pitch if instructed so to do by the Fixtures Secretary or League Secretary.

20.K

1. Clubs can mutually agree to play their fixture on an alternative day to Sunday such as Midweek or Saturday providing, they have the consent of the (Fixtures) Secretary if they wish to do so.
2. Clubs can mutually agree to play double header at any point in the season providing they have the consent of the (Fixtures) Secretary.
3. Clubs can play two fixtures on the same Sunday providing they field two different sides in each competition match and have permission from the (Fixtures) Secretary to do so.

20.L

Player ID photos should be sent along with confirmation of the game to the opposing team and referee. Should anyone sign after that the information should be passed prior to the game taking place. Apart from emergency signings which are done on the same day.

20.M

New clubs must have a pitch within the Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey with teams that wish to play outside of these boundaries requiring the approval of the management committee.

20.N

The times of kick-off shall be as follows: All League matches (including double headers) should kick off between 10.00 am and 13.30 pm. All Cup matches should kick-off between 10.00 am an 14:00 pm in line with County FA cup rules regarding kick-off times. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding 50p per minute with a minimum fine of £8.
If a team is not ready to commence play by 30 minutes after the scheduled KO time, then it may be dealt with as not having fulfilled the fixture. Once a team’s kick-off time has been locked in for the season, they will need the approval of the Fixtures Secretary to change it. For example, a team has to submit their kick-off time at the start of the season and can’t kick-off at 10:30 one week then 12:30 the following week without valid reason. The flexible kick-off times are purely to accommodate a lack venues and allow the league to double up on officials.

The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition If not provided. The footballs must be presented to the Referee before the agreed kick-off time. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

20.O

If the Home teams pitch is called off due to weather or other circumstances then the Away team reserve the right to source an alternative pitch up until 20:00 the night before the match.

20.P

For the league to offer some financial assistance to clubs for circumstances beyond their control that need to complete midweek fixtures and have to hire another facility to complete this. For a club to eligible for this assistance, a certain criterion must be met (this is to stop people taking liberties) the criteria to consist of must be a club in good standing, pays any costs/fines without delay, never forfeits a fixture and has been a team of the BSFL for minimum 2 years.

20.Q

A Club may seek permission to postpone one fixture before Xmas and one after Xmas providing 28 days’ notice is given to the Fixture Secretary. A Club may seek permission from the Management Committee, to postpone two fixtures for the season, one fixture before Xmas and one after Xmas providing a reason and 28 days’ notice has been given. This then needs to be approved by the management committee.

21.A

The Competition Results Secretary must receive within 2 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 23, or any other information required by the Competition]. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.B

The Home Club/both Clubs shall use telephone/SMS/WhatsApp/email/ FA Full Time / FA Matchday as directed by the Competition  to notify the result of each Competition Match to the Results Secretary by 16:00 on Sunday afternoon. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.C

The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Club, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

1.      All match forms to be sent via WhatsApp in to the designated matchday group by 10.00 pm the day after a match. All results on Full-Time to be checked each Tuesday. Teams to be fined who have not submitted match forms and/or team details to Full-Time.

2.      All match forms to be sent via WhatsApp in to the designated matchday group by 10.00 pm the day after a match.

3.      All team line-ups & goal scorers to be entered on Full-Time via club login or the matchday app by 10.00 pm the day after a match.

4.      All results on Full-Time to be checked each Tuesday. Teams to be fined who have not submitted match forms and/or team details to Full-Time.

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.D

The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of the Team, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

21.E

All match day information must be submitted via the Full Time System. This must include identifying Starting players and bench players then identifying which of the bench players participated in the match, goalscorers and such other information requested by the system. This will include but not be limited to the Referee markings required by Rule 23, identifying which player(s) received red and/or yellow cards and any other information required by the Competition. The above shall also apply to the Competition League Cup, Divisional Cup, County FA Competitions and FA Competitions. 

Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

22.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 Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favorable goal difference shall be placed highest).

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team that has won the most matches during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.

In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head to head Competition Matches during the Playing Season will be placed highest.

If the records of two or more Teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to determine the position of each then the Teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches under conditions as determined by the Management Committee.

22.B

Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 3 Teams and automatic relegation shall be applied for the last 3 Teams in each division except as provided for below subject to the provisions of Rule 2.L. However, in the Senior Division the last 2 Teams shall be relegated and in the Premier Division the top 2 Teams shall be promoted.

1.      Should one or more Teams withdraw from any one division after the Playing Season has commenced an equal number of Teams to those withdrawing in that division shall not be automatically relegated.

2.      Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the Playing Season may be filled in any of the following ways:

a.      retention of otherwise relegated Team(s); or

b.      additional promotion of the next ranked Team(s) from the division below; or

c.      election.

3.      The last 3 Teams in the lowest division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of Rule 22. B.1 above.

4.      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.

5.      Should either or both of the leading Teams in any of the divisions have its senior Team in the next higher division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest Team or Teams in the division concerned.

22.C

Rule not applied (play-off rule)

22.D

In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 22.D a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee.

22.E

Rule not applied.

23.A

Registered referees (and assistant referees were approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.

23.B

1..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.

2. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match.

23.C

Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.D

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: No Club shall postpone a Competition match on account of the apparent state of the ground. In the event that such circumstances prevail, Clubs should comply with procedures provided for in the document published by The FA “Recommended procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions”. Should the ground be declared unfit it is the responsibility of the home Club to immediately advise the Competition, the Appointing Authority, the visiting Club and the Match Officials.

For those leagues which are not Regional NLS Feeder Leagues:  The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.

23.E

Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff.

Match Officials will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club before/immediately after the Competition Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.F

In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to expenses only. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee and expenses. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

23.G

A referee not keeping their engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered.

23.H

Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition 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 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

23.I

The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by the prescribed date each Season, shall submit a summary to the Sanctioning Authority.

23.J

The referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the Competition Match, the number of Players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the (Registration) Secretary within two days of the Competition Match.

23.K

Match Officials shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

23.L

Match Officials shall comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA and/or Sanctioning Authority adopted by the Competition

23.M

Referees to only be paid £10 per team if following a pitch inspection, the game is postponed, because of a waterlogged pitch.

23.N

Referees must ensure that matches do not kick-off more than 30 minutes after the agreed kick-off time. Referees must inform the Competition Referees Appointment Secretary of the defaulting team(s) on the day of the match.

23.O

In the case that there are end of season title or relegation deciding matches the clubs may request or have assistant referees appointed to the game with the costs of these officials covered by the competition.

24.A

All Clubs must provide the League Secretary, either in writing or by e-mail all required information for the League Handbook by the AGM in each year for the ensuing season. They must include details of the ground on which HOME matches will be played, and the name and contact details of a person authorized to accept messages should the Club Secretary not be available. Clubs failing to comply with this rule shall be dealt with as the Management Committee determines.

25.A

Each Club shall purchase a minimum of 2 tickets for the League’s Presentation of Awards/Dinner Dance at a price to be agreed each season and must be paid for by 15th December. *The rule is to make sure there are funds available to award medals for winners and runners up places for each competition in accordance with Rule 13 B. All additional tickets ordered must be paid for on or before the date of the event. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be dealt with as the Management Committee determines.

26.A

All clubs in membership of the Competition shall enter all Cup Competitions for which their teams qualify or are invited into at the discretion of the Management Committee. No fee will be required to enter the Roger Jones Senior Challenge Cup or a Divisional Cup (Premier, Intermediate, Junior or Shield) which is included in the annual subscription. All additional cups will require an entrance fee if required by the Cup Competitions Committee.

26.B

The Charity Shield. The previous seasons winners of the Premier Division and the Roger Jones Senior Challenge Cup will contest a Charity Shield usually on the first Sunday of the new season subject to (26A) above.

The Roger Jones Senior Challenge Cup. All teams shall be permitted to enter this Competition subject to (i) above. Teams from the Premier Division and Championship shall not enter until a later round date determined by the committee.

The Junior Challenge Cup. All teams who exit the Roger Jones Senior Challenge Cup during the early rounds of the cup (excluding teams in the Premier Division and Championship) shall enter this competition subject to (26A) above. Teams can also choose to enter this cup direct if they do not wish to enter the Senior Challenge Cup. An entry fee of £25.00 per team will be required.

The Premier Cup All teams in the Premier Division and Championship shall enter this cup competition subject to (26A) above. 

The Intermediate Cup. All teams in the 1st and 2nd divisions shall enter this cup competition subject to (26A) above.

The Junior Cup. All teams in the 3rd and 4th divisions shall enter this cup competition subject to (26A) above.

The BSFL Shield. All teams in the 5th and 6th divisions shall enter this cup competition subject to (26A) above.

The Management Committee reserves the right to alter the entrants to all Cup Competitions at their discretion.

26.C

If other Cup competitions are organised teams shall be invited to enter these at the discretion of the Management Committee and Cup Competitions may be run on either a Knock Out basis or League basis (or a combination of the two) as advised by the Cup Competitions Committee. An entry fee of £25.00 may be required for entering any additional cups.

26.D

In the publication of the draw for any round up to the final, the first named in the tie shall be the home team and shall be responsible for informing Match Officials and Opponents of all particulars as in Rule 20 (D).

26.E

The cost of all ties including Semi-Finals, but excluding Finals, shall be shared by the teams involved. The Management Committee may ask for teams involved in the Finals to contribute towards the cost if deemed necessary.

26.F

A player having represented one team in a Cup competition will NOT be eligible to represent any other team in the same competition in the same season. An example – if a player plays in the 1^st round of the cup for one team and then transfers, they would not be eligible to play in the same competition for their new team. The same principle applies to a player who is signed to a club with more than one team in the league – if the player plays for the first team, they are not eligible for the second or subsequent teams.

26.G

Players taking part in Semi-Final or Final ties shall be eligible by having played (in accordance with Rule 18) in at least 2 matches (League and/or Cup) played by that team in the Competition in the current season. The number of matches includes all matches actually played (including those against teams who have subsequently withdrawn from the Competition under Rule 22(D)) and shall be rounded down to a whole number.

26.H

A player may not play for more than one team in the Premier, Intermediate, Junior or BSFL Shield. Failure to abide by this rule will result in the offending team being ejected from the Cup competition. As an example – if a clubs 1st team is in the Premier Cup and the 2nd team is in the Intermediate Cup then a player or players who have been fielded in the 1st team in the Premier Cup cannot play for the 2nd team in the Intermediate Cup competition. This rule does not override any other League Rules and they will still apply. See also Rule 18 (N).

26.I

Any club found guilty of breaking any of the Cup instructions shall be dealt with by the Management Committee and shall forfeit the cup match. Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player shall forfeit the cup match.

26.J

The maximum time to be played in League Cup matches shall be 90 minutes (45 minutes each-way) and the minimum time shall be 60 minutes (30 minutes each-way). In the semi-finals and final only, if a match is drawn after normal time, extra time of 10 or 15 minutes each-way (at the discretion of the Referee) must be played. The Cup Competitions Committee reserves the right to decide whether Cup Finals will be decided by extra time or a penalty shoot-out to determine the tie if the scores are still level after full time.

26.K

The time of kick-off for the Cup competitions shall be between 10:00 and 14:00, except for the Semi Final and Final rounds which will be decided by the Management Committee.

26.L

At the start of each season the Cup Competitions Committee will compile the draw for the Cup Competition up to and including the Final Round or as decided by the Management Committee.

26.M

Pitch and Match Officials fees for all rounds up to and including the Semi Final will be shared between the 2 teams. (Up to a maximum of £75 can be claimed from the opponents for the cost of a pitch, all Match Officials’ expenses are to be shared equally.) If the Semi Final is played on a neutral pitch chosen by the Competition and the cost exceeds £300 (£150 per team) the Competition will bear the additional cost above £200.

26.N

The ground for the Semi-Finals and Final tie will be decided by the Management Committee and all pitch and Match Officials’ fees for the Final will be paid by the Competition. The Management Committee may ask for teams involved in the Finals to contribute towards the cost if deemed necessary.

26.O

Clubs taking part in County Cups shall inform the Fixtures Secretary by the 1st August. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

26.P

Clubs taking part in County Cups shall inform the Fixtures Secretary of the dates they are playing as soon as they are informed by the appropriate County FA. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

26.Q

Where possible ties must go ahead on the scheduled date determined by the management committee. Games are to be played at the team drawn at Home teams pitch if available and if Home teams pitch is not available then the game is played at the Away teams’ pitch. If the away teams pitch is not available then a neutral ground needs to be found for the tie to be played which is the Home teams responsibility to source a pitch.

26.R

If a Cup fixture is twice postponed due to causes over which neither club has control, the game may be played on a neutral ground or the away team’s ground if mutually agreed by the two clubs.

26.S

Additional Cup competitions may be organized throughout the season and teams invited to participate will be determined at the discretion of the Cup Competitions Committee. Cup competitions may be played on either a knockout basis or a group (League) basis.

26.T

Cup entry fees for the Roger Jones Senior Challenge Cup and Divisional Cup (Premier, Intermediate, Junior or Shield) are included in the Annual Subscription as per Rule 4B. Clubs failing to pay their fees by the due date shall be dealt with as the Management Committee determines. All other cup competitions required a £25.00 entrance fee.