THE HALLMARK SECURITY CHESHIRE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE Founded 1948 Web site:

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1 THE HALLMARK SECURITY CHESHIRE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE Founded 1948 Web site: Inaugural Winners FA National League System Cup 2004 Handbook of League Officials and Rules Season

2 The Quality Security Solution Hallmark Security Limited For all of your Security requirements Proud Sponsor of the Cheshire Football League Tel:

3 THE HALLMARK SECURITY CHESHIRE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON 2014/2015 Web Site: PRESIDENT R ATHERTON (1980) Telephone rayathertons@aol.com CHAIRMAN R M GOODWIN-DAVEY (2000) Telephone fixturesecretary@cheshirefl.com VICE CHAIRMAN R WASHBURN (2001) Telephone vicechairman@cheshirefl.com LIFE MEMBERS R ATHERTON (1980) Telephone E B DAVIES (1982) Telephone edward.davies3@btinternet.com H REDMOND (1991) Telephone T B RILEY (1981) Telephone P R STANLEY (1990) Telephone peterstanley@hotmail.co.uk K J WEBB (1982) Telephone kenjwebb@btinternet.com VICE PRESIDENTS D G ADAMSON (2004) V J CALDERBANK (2004) Telephone G FOXALL (2001) A HOUGH ( , 2003) B McGUINNESS (2005) Telephone brianmacca2@gmail.com D MURPHY (2001) M G QUIGLEY ( , 2002) Telephone michaelgquigley@gmail.com P WAINWRIGHT (1994) Telephone peter.wainright@sky.com

4 HONORARY SECRETARY & HONORARY DISCIPLINE SECRETARY L TAYLOR (2014) c/o 22 Birch Close, Oxton, Wirral, CH43 5XE Mobile secretary@cheshirefl.com HONORARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY M G DAVEY (2008) 4 Mount Grove, Gatley, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 4HR Telephone , Mobile assistantsecretary@cheshirefl.com HONORARY TREASURER M WEBSTER (2001) 29 Townfield Lane, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4LH Mobile treasurer@cheshirefl.com HONORARY ASSISTANT TREASURER D MURPHY (2001) Telephone young-dave2010@hotmail.co.uk NORTH WEST COMBINED COUNTIES REFEREE POOL MATCH OFFICIALS APPOINTMENTS OFFICER D G ADAMSON Telephone matchofficials@nwccrp.co.uk NORTH WEST COMBINED COUNTIES REFEREE POOL ASSESSOR APPOINTMENTS OFFICER G P JOHNSON Telephone assessoradmin@nwccrp.co.uk HONORARY MATCH OFFICIALS APPOINTMENTS OFFICER G EDGELEY (2013) Telephone General - matchofficials@cheshirefl.com Closed Dates - closeddates@cheshirefl.com Appointment Confirmations - confirmations@cheshirefl.com HON. MATCH OFFICIALS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER D J IRELAND (2013) Telephone matchofficials@cheshirefl.com HON. FIXTURES SECRETARY R M GOODWIN-DAVEY (2000) Telephone fixturesecretary@cheshirefl.com HONORARY REGISTRATIONS SECRETARY Mrs H REDMOND (1991) Telephone Fax registrationsecretary@cheshirefl.com HONORARY PRESS & MEDIA OFFICER LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Miss K DAVEY ( , 2011) Mobile pressofficer@cheshirefl.com CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER B McGUINNESS (2005) LEAGUE MOA REPRESENTATIVE D G ADAMSON (2004) DIVISIONAL REPRESENTATIVES PREMIER J WHITEHEAD (2011) LEAGUE ONE P FORESTER (2014) LEAGUE TWO VACANT RESERVE LEAGUE ONE VACANT RESERVE LEAGUE TWO J EVANS (2014)

5 CUPS COMMITTEE D MURPHY (Chairman), V J CALDERBANK (Secretary), D G ADAMSON, G FOXALL, B McGUINNESS, R WASHBURN CLUB and GROUND VETTING COMMITTEE R WASHBURN (Chairman & Secretary), R ATHERTON, M DAVEY, A HOUGH, D MURPHY, P R STANLEY, P WAINWRIGHT, M WEBSTER FINANCE AND LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE D MURPHY (Chairman), K DAVEY (Secretary), R ATHERTON, M DAVEY, J EVANS, P FORESTER, R M GOODWIN-DAVEY, P R STANLEY, M WEBSTER, J WHITEHEAD PRESENTATION DINNER COMMITTEE B McGUINNESS (Chairman), R WASHBURN (Secretary), V J CALDERBANK, R M GOODWIN-DAVEY, K DAVEY Chairman and Secretary are members of all Sub-Committees REPRESENTATIVE TO MID CHESHIRE FA L TAYLOR INTER LEAGUE TEAM MANAGER STEVE LLOYD Telephone (M) sl@grange-packaging.co.uk BOARD OF APPEAL As appointed by the Football Association HEADQUARTERS Winnington Park Recreation Club, Park Road, Northwich CW8 4EB Tel: / ALL MEETINGS HELD AT WINNINGTON PARK RECREATION CLUB COMMENCING 7.30 pm MEETING DATES FULL COUNCIL 7 AUGUST 2014 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 4 SEPTEMBER 2014 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2 OCTOBER 2014 FULL COUNCIL 6 NOVEMBER 2014 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 4 DECEMBER 2014 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 5 FEBRUARY 2015 FULL COUNCIL 5 MARCH 2015 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2 APRIL 2015 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 7 MAY 2015 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING 21 MAY 2015 (Constitution ) PRESENTATION DINNER FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 11 JUNE 2015

6 TIMES OF KICK OFF - LEAGUE MATCHES (Teams with floodlights may kick off at 3:00 pm with the prior agreement of the Management Committee or Full Council) AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER (except last week) 3:00 pm LAST WEEK OCTOBER 2:00 pm NOVEMBER 2:00 pm DECEMBER 2:00 pm JANUARY 2:00 pm FEBRUARY 2:00 pm MARCH, APRIL, MAY 3:00 pm Reserve Division Evening Matches to be Played Thursday Evenings, Unless Otherwise Advised by the League PLAYERS PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE All teams of this Competition shall have a valid Players Personal Accident Insurance policy having at least a minimum cover as specified by the Management Committee. The current minimum cover level is as follows: Summary of Benefits: Accidental Death 7,500 Permanent Disabling Injuries 20,000 Out of Pocket Expenses Temporary Total Disablement per week, payable for 4 weeks per week, payable after 14 days for up to 52 weeks All Clubs must have Public Liability 10,000,000 Cover of at least 1952 MCFL 1989 MCFL 1953 Joint Holders 1990 Joint Holders 1954 No Comp 1991 WCFL 1955 WCFL 1992 WCFL 1956 WCFL 1993 WCFL 1957 Joint Holders 1994 WCFL 1958 WCFL 1995 Joint Holders No Comp 1996 WCFL 1962 MCFL 1997 Joint Holders 1963 WCFL 1998 MCFL 1964 WCFL 1999 Joint Holders 1965 MCFL 2000 Postponed 1966 MCFL 2001 MCFL 1967 WCFL 2002 Joint Holders 1968 MCFL 2003 WCFL 1969 Joint Holders 2004 MCFL 1970 MCFL 2005 Joint Holders 1971 Joint Holders 2006 MCFL 1972 MCFL 2007 WCFL 1973 MCFL 2008 WCFL 1974 WCFL 2009 No Comp No Comp 2010 Joint Holders 1985 MCFL 2011 CFL 1986 WCFL 2012 No Comp 1987 Joint Holders 2013 No Comp 1988 WCFL INTER LEAGUE RESULTS The Cooper Smith Annual Challenge Cup Cheshire League v West Cheshire League Winners The North West Inter League Cup Runners Up 2013 Cheshire League Manchester League 2014 TBC Jeff Walton Memorial Trophy

7 FULL COUNCIL CLUB REPRESENTATIVES ALTRINCHAM FC RESERVES ASHTON TOWN FC RESERVES BILLINGE FC CHEADLE TOWN FC RESERVES CONGLETON VALE ROVERS FC CREWE FC CUDDINGTON FC DATEN FC DENTON TOWN FC EAGLE SPORTS FC EGERTON YOUTH CLUB FC FC WOODFORD GAMESLEY FC GARSWOOD UNITED FC GOLBORNE SPORTS FC GRAPPENHALL SPORTS FC GREENALLS PADGATE ST OSWALDS FC IRLAM FC RESERVES KNUTSFORD FC LINOTYPE/CHEADLE HN FC LOSTOCK GRALAM FC MAINE ROAD FC RESERVES MALPAS FC MERSEY VALLEY FC MIDDLEWICH TOWN FC MOORE UNITED FC PENLAKE FC PILKINGTON FC POYNTON FC RUDHEATH SOCIAL FC RYLANDS FC SANDBACH UNITED FC STYAL FC TARPORLEY VICTORIA FC WARRINGTON TOWN FC RESERVES WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON FC RESERVES WHALEY BRIDGE FC WITTON ALBION FC RESERVES WYTHENSHAWE TOWN FC CRAIG MALBON STEFAN OCHWAT LES PILLING BRIAN LINDON GRAHAM BOOTH MAGGIE VICKERS SIMON SMITH TREVOR FARRINGTON STEVE DUNN COLIN HOPE AMANDA BERGIN BOB HASLAM WEZ MORRELL ANDY CLOUGH STE McLAUGHLIN RITA GRIFFITHS KEN MAGILL WARREN DODD JIMMY EVANS GEORGE GIBBONS BOB BARROW PADDY FLYNN JIM DESMOND DAVE WOOD NATHAN MORRIS KEITH SHERIDAN DAVE HAYWARD COLIN BIRCHALL MARK WARBURTON MIKE ALCOCK IAN FINCHETT JOHN CLAYTON JOHN WHITEHEAD ANDY WILLIAMS TOBY MACORMAC ROB TURLEY ELLA BUTTRILL DIONNE MARTIN KENNY HOPE

8 NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION 1.(A) This Competition shall be designated the Cheshire Association Football League and known as The Hallmark Security Cheshire Association Football League and shall consist of not more than 48 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs. (B) All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form "D" to The Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be centred within a 35 mile radius of League Headquarters (Northwich). This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to The Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in 5 Divisions, 2 being divisions for reserve teams of member clubs. (C) This Competition shall only permit one team from a Club to participate in the same division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries. This Competition will obtain the prior approval of the sanctioning Association in the event of a division comprising of more than one team from the same Club. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than via transfers of registration in accordance with Competition Rules. (D) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination (i) This Competition and each Member Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination (ii) This Competition and each Member Club does not and must not [by its rules or regulations or] in any manner whatsoever unlawfully discriminate against any person within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 or any law, enactment, order or regulation relating to discrimination (whether by age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise). (iii) This Competition and each Member Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise). (iv) Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate sanctioning Association for investigation. (E) As an FA Charter Standard League this Competition requires all its Clubs to have achieved FA Charter Standard League status. The League Management Committee may expel any club that has failed to maintain its Charter Standard status by this date. New Member Clubs will have achieved the Charter Standard club award prior to acceptance. (F) The Competition and its Clubs shall support the FA's Respect programme. As such, it recognises that everyone in football has a collective responsibility to create a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place. A Respect League values the contribution of match officials, players and spectators and ensures that they are treated with courtesy and fairness by opposing players, club officials and spectators. The League and its Clubs will seek to play fixtures in a fair, competitive but not antagonistic environment. Teams who have accepted membership of this Competition, may not be members of any other League normally playing on the same day of the week (except a Youth League) and they may only enter 3 Cup Competitions viz: The FA Vase, a County FA Competition and one other, unless so permitted by the Management Committee or Full Council. Application for membership will not normally

9 be accepted from Clubs with teams in a more Senior League, except with the permission of the Management Committee. No more than one team from a Club can participate in the same division. (G) At the Annual General Meeting, or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the League Council Members present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitutions of the Divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT 2.(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team, must be made in writing to the Secretary on or before 1 st Thursday in April each year and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election and a non-refundable ground vetting administration charge of All successful applicants (excluding Clubs applying for re-election), will be charged an initial Entrance Fee of , less the ground vetting administration charge of At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present, applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting, or a Special General Meeting. The Entry Fee shall apply. When Rule 12(B) is applied and a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable. (B) The Annual Subscription shall be per Team, payable within 28 days after the AGM in each year, this fee to be inclusive of the supply of 5 copies of the League Handbook. (C) Each Club shall within 14 days of election pay a Deposit of 50.00, which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition, provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee or Full Council. (D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid. (E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 30 June of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition. OFFICERS 3. The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Life President, Life Vice Presidents, Life Members, Vice-Presidents (maximum 8), Chairman, Vice- Chairman, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Registrations Secretary, Match Officials Appointments Officer, Match Officials Development Officer, Assistant Fixtures & Registrations Secretary, League Development Officer, Website Officer, Press & Media Officer, Child Protection Officer, League Chartered Standard Officer, Discipline Secretary and League Match Officials Association Representative, to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. New nominations for Vice President must have their names submitted to the Management Committee at the Meeting held prior to the AGM, before being allowed to go forward for election. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers). MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION 4.(A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Council to be called The Full Council, consisting of one representative from each constituent Full Member Club and a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and 8 members nominated from the League member Clubs, who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The 8 elected members from the League Member Clubs do not necessarily have to be a representative on the Full Council. 5 of the 8 members will act as Divisional Representatives.

10 (B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 15 May in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting. (C) The Management Committee shall meet monthly, the Full Council shall meet quarterly to deal with business as it arises. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee or Full Council, the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee or Full Council. (Also see Rule 19). (D) Except where otherwise mentioned, all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings. (E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers. (F) Within 14 days of election, each Club shall nominate its representative to the Council for the ensuing season. (G) Except with the sanction of the Council or Management Committee, a Club shall not be allowed to change its elected representative during the season, but may, subject to sanction, appoint a deputy to act in the unavoidable absence of its elected delegate. (H) LONG SERVICE AWARD An official of the League who has completed 21 years in an official capacity, shall be presented with a Long Service Award at the Annual General Meeting marking the anniversary and completion of such period and shall be elected a Life Member of the League. Life Members shall not be debarred from holding an official position in the League and shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Meetings. A Vice President elected a Life Member of the League shall automatically relinquish his/her role as Vice President. (I) TRUSTEES The President, Secretary and Treasurer for the time being shall be, and are hereby appointed, Trustees of the property, assets and effects of the Cheshire Football League, and are hereby authorised and empowered to do all necessary acts in connection therewith, upon the instructions of and pursuant to any resolution or resolutions of the Cheshire Football League or its Management Committee. (J) Cups, Club and Ground Vetting, Finance and League Development and Presentation Sub Committees are to be formed at the first Committee meeting following the AGM. These sub committees are to be formed from the Officers of the League and to nominate from its members a Chairman and Secretary. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT 5.(A) The Management Committee or Full Council may appoint such other subcommittees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee or Full Council for ratification. (B) Subject to the permission of The Football Association having been obtained, the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season. (See Rule 6E). (C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee and Full Council Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee). Each Member of the Full

11 Council shall have the right to attend and vote at all Full Council Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. (D) The Management Committee or Full Council shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. With the exception of Rules 5(i), 6(h), 10(a), 11 and 19, for all breaches of Rule a formal written charge must be issued. The respondent shall be given seven days from the date of notice to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:- (i) Accept or deny the charge (ii) Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or (iii) Put their case before the Management Committee Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty, any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee or Full Council. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules, by the appropriate Association. With the exception of Clubs playing at Step 7 of the Football Pyramid and the FA Women's Premier League, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Competition Rule is 250 and, when setting any fine, the Competition must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances. (E) All decisions of the Management Committee or Full Council shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 days. (F) 5 Members of the Management Committee or Full Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee or Full Council and 3 Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition. (G) The Management Committee or Full Council, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number. (H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee or Full Council, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee or Full Council. (I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification, otherwise a fine of per 14 days will be imposed. Cheques, Postal Orders etc., should be Crossed and made payable to the Cheshire Football League and sent to the Honorary Treasurer. Any Club not paying a fine within the 14 days allowed, may have its fixtures suspended until the fine has been settled. Any Club which falls into this category, may then face a charge of failing to fulfil a fixture. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee or Full Council may impose. (J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition. (K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General, or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season. (L) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

12 (M) A Club failing to be represented at any meeting will be fined and failing to be represented at 2 consecutive meetings without satisfactory reasons being given, shall be further dealt with as the Management Committee or Full Council may determine. Likewise, any Club Representatives arriving late at any Meeting, shall be automatically fined 20.00, unless that person can satisfy the Management Committee that the reasons for lateness are valid. (N) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee or Full Council within 21 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 Secretary, who shall submit it to the Management Committee or Full Council (subject to Rule 17). (O) The League shall have the power to claim the ground of any member club FREE OF CHARGE for the playing of representative matches and Cup Finals. The League will be responsible for the payment of reasonable match expenses. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6.(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30 June in each year. At this meeting, the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of the Members are present and entitled to vote:- (i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding AGM. (ii) To consider any business arising therefrom. (iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts. (iv) To confirm Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee or Full Council). (v) To confirm the Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing season. (vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee. (vii) Appointment of Auditors. (viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given). (ix) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick-off times applicable to the Competitions. (x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting. (B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting and to The Football Association. (C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to The Football Association within 14 days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting. (D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send 2 delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to 1 vote only. Fourteen days notice shall be given of any meeting. (E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17. (F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least a majority of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides. (G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club unless the individual is also appointed to vote as a representative of a group of Associate Member Clubs. (H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined (I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

13 AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED 7. The Chairman and the Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete. We, A, of (Chairman) and B of (Secretary) of the Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Cheshire Association Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee or Full Council of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16. This agreement to be returned to the League Secretary prior to the start of the season. Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition. (Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members). (A) DRESSING ACCOMMODATION All Clubs shall provide adequate dressing accommodation for visiting teams and the Match Officials and no Club shall be admitted as members of the League unless such accommodation is guaranteed by them when applying for admission. The question of suitability and adequacy of such accommodation, shall be determined by the Management Committee or Full Council after consultation with the Club and Ground Vetting Sub Committee. Dressing accomodation for visiting teams and Match Officials must be separate, private and secured by the home club, who shall be responsible for ensuring all changing facilities are maintained and secure. (B) GROUNDS AND FACILITIES Any Club failing to meet all mandatory criteria will be issued with a 12 month Improvement Notice. This notice will be issued on 31 March in each year. Ground and full changing facilities to be available from first week in August to second week of May. The Management Committee, through the Club and Ground Vetting Committee, will not allow entry into the League any Club who does not have total control of their pitch and facilities. The pitch playng area is to be at least 90 metres in length x 60 metres in width. If in the opinion of the Management Committee or Full Council, any Club fails to attain or maintain the standards of grounds and facilities set by the League Management Committee, such Club(s), after a 12 month warning, shall cease membership with the League. Alcohol will not be permitted outside the Clubhouse or to be brought into grounds for consumption during games. (C) PLAYERS PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE All teams of this Competition shall have a valid Players Personal Accident Insurance policy, having at least a minimum cover, as specified by the Management Committee. (See page 7). In addition, all Clubs of the Competition shall carry Public Liability Insurance cover at a minimum liability as determined from time to time by the Management Committee (presently 10 million). No Club shall be permitted to play any League or Cup game until both Public Liability and Players Personal Accident Insurance are in place. Any Club found to be in contravention of any part of this Rule shall be subject to action as the Management Committee shall decide. All Clubs shall submit to the League Secretary copies of both policies no later than one week before the commencement of the League playing season. FIRST AID

14 ii) Confirmatory evidence of First Aid Certificates and position held in the Club to be provided to the Chairman of the Club and Ground Vetting Committee no later than one week before the comencement of the League playing season. Each Club must provide a First Aid Kit for all matches. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS 8.(A) (i) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are permitted in this Competitio 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. A contract player may only play for the Club that holds his contract. It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form for that Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 12 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland. (ii) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty's Regular Forces, a player must first obtain the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for a Club. (B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:- (i) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form, in ink countersigned by an officer of the Club and the copy retained by the Club, who has been registered with the (Registrations) Secretary via Full Time prior to playing and the player's name has appeared in the Club's player list on Full Time. (ii) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form, in ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing club, and submitted to & confirmed by the (Registrations) Secretary by MIDNIGHT of the day of the match on Full Time. A maximum of 5 players may be registered in this way. (iii) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty's Regular Forces, a player must first obtain the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for a Club. (C) The relevant FA SCOR is not adopted by this League. (D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played. (E) Registration forms shall be obtained from the Cheshire League website ( Each player registered on Full Time will be charged to the Club at a cost of 2 by the League Treasurer. (F) The Management Committee or Full Council shall decide all registration disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registrations Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration. (G) It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to: - (i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred. (ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the

15 Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer. (iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete. (H) (i) The Management Committee or Full Council shall have power to accept the registration of any player subject to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below. (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player, or may fine any player at their discretion, who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16). (iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated prove misconduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered or intending to be registered with. (iv) For a player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with clause (iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute. (Note: Action under clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association). All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 day suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence for any team playing in this Competition. (I) Subject to FA Rule C2(a), dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer from shall submit an to the Registrations Secretary stating the Club the player wishes to transfer to and their agreement to this. The transfer will be charged to the gaining Club at a cost of 5, invoiced to the Club by the League Treasurer. The Registration Secretary will then transfer the player on Full Time. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee or Full Council for a decision. (J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31 March except by special permission of the Management Committee or Full Council. (K) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers (in the form of the original League Registration forms) and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee. (L) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary (on Full Time) and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee or Full Council meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one year only. In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition, his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 8 (a) (i). In order to play in the League again, either for his original Club or for another Club, it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule.

16 (M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played 3 games for that team in this Competition in the current season. (N) Clubs having more than one team in the Competition do not have to register players for each team, one registration only is required. Transfer formalities are unnecessary. (O) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee or Full Council. (ii) In addition the team may have 3 points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit. (iii) The Management Committee or Full Council in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed. The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education:- (P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. (ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues). (iii) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16. (Q) Should a registered player, having been selected for the League team in an Inter League Match, fail to make himself available for the game for whatever reason, then this player will not be allowed to play for his Club in the following Cheshire match, unless the Club have made representation to the Management Committee at least 3 days prior to the Inter League match selected for and the player given clearance. Any contravention of this Rule could result in a Club being charged with playing an ineligible player. CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME 9.(A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts, shorts and socks with the Secretary by 30 June, who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the Referee. All other players shall wear numbers on their shirts. All numbers used, including substitutes, must be accurately recorded on the Team Sheet. Failure to do so will attract a maximum fine of 5.00 per shirt/number per game. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 7 days before the match. If, in the opinion of the Referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours including shorts and socks, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined a sum not exceeding 3.00 plus 50 pence per minute and such fine to be 1.00 per minute for any subsequent default during the month following the first default, or be dealt with as the Management Committee or Full Council may determine. The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee or Full Council may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. (B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.

17 PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES 10.(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date, unless the Management Committee or Full Council agree otherwise. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than the date of the August Meeting, must not be arranged for a date later than 7 days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting. (B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board. Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee or Full Council. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee or Full Council shall have power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. A Club shall take the gate receipts for all its Home League matches. Football Turf pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA's Register of Football Turf pitches. For clubs playing at Step 7 and below a pitch 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 10(D). All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 80 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the AGM, the Management Committee or the Full Council. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding 3.00 plus 50 pence per minute. Such fine to be 1.00 per minute for any subsequent default during the month or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee or Full Council may determine. Should the Home Club be responsible for a late Kick Off, the fines to be doubled. Designated covered seating areas are a mandatory requirement of the League Competitions. No more than 8 persons from each team, including nominated substitutes, shall be within the designated seating area, (if adequate room is available). A Technical Area shall be provided and clearly marked, 1 person at a time is authorised to stand and convey tactical instructions from this area, a 2 nd person may come forward to pass on tactical instructions but must return to his seat immediately after giving these instructions. Where no Technical Area is clearly defined, all persons must remain seated. Referees are instructed to report any contravention of this Rule to the League Secretary. Clubs reported for contravening this Rule, may be fined 5.00 for each offence reported.

18 Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition and inform the Club Secretary or Captain of the offending team(s) of his intention to do so. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used. (C) Except by permission of the Management Committee or Full Council, all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary. In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition, 5 clear day's notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed). (D) The Secretary of the Home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the Secretary of the opposing Club and Match Officials at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the match. The Away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars, 3 clear days prior to the match. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of (E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. (Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another or lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Management Committee or Full Council, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee or Full Council may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.) In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 11 players, they shall be fined 1.00 per minute for each missing player, up to a maximum of A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team for a Competition match. (F) (i) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement, the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine not exceeding , deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. Return fixtures will not be permitted to take place on the ground where the first fixture was played. (ii) Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee. (iii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a fixture has been postponed for any reason must, without delay give notice to the League Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee or Full Council who may inflict a fine. Before the postponement of any match due to ground conditions, it is necessary to have the pitch inspected preferably by the Match Referee, or if this is not practicable, by a local Level 1,2,3,4,or 5 Referee. A Match Official of the described level, must be present, with the Groundsman and Club Representative at the time of inspection. Where possible, the Referee will be an official of the League.

19 This inspection to take place not later than 1100hrs for a 1500hrs KO and not later than 1030hrs for all afternoon matches with an earlier kick off time to stop the visitors and Match Officials travelling. Should the inspecting Referee consider the ground unfit, the Home Club Secretary should then inform the Fixture Secretary, the League's Match Officials Appointments Officer, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the Referee and Assistant Referees. The Secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials shall be advised not later than 1100hrs on the morning of the match arranged with an afternoon Kick Off and the remainder of the above contacts as near as possible to this time. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be dealt with by the Management Committee or Full Council, who may inflict any penalties that they deem suitable. (iv) In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee or Full Council. Failing such agreement and notification to the League Secretary within 14 days, the Management Committee or Full Council shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. (v) The Management Committee or Full Council shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee or Full Council shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee or Full Council are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee or Full Council shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee or Full Council for an abandoned match. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association. (vi) The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 8(O) above. Where both teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void. (G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game, use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players. For Division 2 & 3 and Reserve Divisions 1 & 2 matches, a Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players. A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football. The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 20 minutes before the start of the match. Each Club must hand copies of a list of fully named players taking part in the game, including the full names and numbers of the nominated substitutes, to the Referee and a representative of their opponents in the presence of the Referee, at least 20 minutes before the advertised Kick Off, on the standard League Team Sheet. Club colours must be clearly stated and the players named must wear the corresponding shirt number in the game.