Mid Somerset Football League Rules NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION (a) This Competition shall be designated the Mid Somerset Football League and known as the Mid Somerset Football League sponsored by Trophies of Radstock and shall consist of not more than forty eight clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs. All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form D to the Somerset County Football Association. The map in this handbook shall, as defined by the management committee, show the area covered by the Competition Membership. This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Somerset Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in no more than four divisions, the Premier Division and Division I, II and III not exceeding thirteen teams in number. Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition. No member club shall be allowed to enter more than two teams in the competition in any season. Should be team of any member club be relegated into the league which already has two teams, the lowest team shall be excluded from the competition. (b) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12. ENTRY FEE & SUBSCRIPTION 2.(a) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary before the 30 th April in each year. 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. When Rule 12(B) is applied or a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable. (b) The Annual Subscription shall be 40.00 per Club; any club entering additional team(s) in the league the annual subscription shall be a further 20.00 per extra team. A deposit of 50 of the annual subscription shall be payable on or before the 31 st August in each year. A club shall not participate in this competition until the deposit has been paid. The balance becomes due on or before the 30 th September and clubs not having paid the balance will not continue in the competition. (c) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 30 th June of each year of its Somerset County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined 15.00. 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. (d) For new clubs such application into the league will be considered at the AGM and ruled upon by the Management Committee who will, if necessary arrange an inspection of ground and facilities before final approval is given at the AGM. (e) Club must advise the General Secretary in writing or on the prescribed form of the details of nominated Team Administrator who shall be the contact point for the League s website. This Team Administrator must have access to a mobile telephone and the internet as well as provide the league with a valid email address. The result of any fixture (including county cup games) shall be sent to the league by the nominated Team Administrator of both teams in accordance with the instructions received by the SMS Text Message, received from the league website during or after the fixtures. The return message must be sent by 5.00pm for a Saturday game and 9.00pm for a match on a weekday. In the event of a text message not being received the result should be text or phoned to the result backup service on 07599 198162 by the time stipulated (f) The Club Secretary of a NEW club and any newly elected Club Secretary of any existing club must prior to the commencement of the season undertake induction training on each of their duties and responsibilities. A clubs acceptance into the League will be conditional upon the completion of such training. Non-attendance will be subject to a fine of 25 and new clubs cannot commence the season until training has been completed. OFFICERS 3. The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees Appointments Secretary, Fixture Secretary and Webmaster to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers). Any League officer on completion of fifteen years service shall become a life member of the League MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION 4. (a) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and members elected annually in the proportion of one member for any number up to six clubs inclusive and a nominated representative of the Mid Somerset Referees Society who shall have full voting rights. Life members may be elected from time to time for service to the league council (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, prior to the A.G.M. 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 on the last Monday of each month or as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises at a venue to be arranged by the committee. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee. (d) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings. (e) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers. (f) Members that have been made Life Members shall have the right to attend ALL Management Committee Meetings but shall not be allowed to vote unless they are a designated officer of the League. All Life Members shall be entitled to attend AGM and EGM where they shall have full voting rights. (g) Not less than seven days notice shall be given of any meeting POWERS OF MANAGEMENT 5. (a) The Management Committee may appoint such other sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. At its first meeting the management committee shall elect a Vice Chairman from its members. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal with matters within the competition and not for matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association. (b) Subject to the permission of the Somerset County Football Association having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season. (See Rule 6(e)). (c) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee). In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. (D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules. (e) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the League Appeals Committee and the F.A. League Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within seven days. (f) One quarter of the Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and One quarter of the Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition. (g) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number. (h) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee. (i) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose. (j) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition. (k) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season. (l) In the event of an emergency the committee shall have the power to vary any rule. (m) A Mid Season meeting will be held in January at a venue to be decided by the council, all clubs must send a representative. (n) No participant under the age of 18 can be fined. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6. (a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held prior to the Somerset F.A. A.G.M. in each year. The meeting shall be held on a different date to that of the Somerset County league. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least three quarters of members are present and entitled to vote: - (i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting. (ii) To consider any business arising there from. (iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Reports of the officers, Balance Sheet and Statement of accounts (iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee). (v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season. (vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(vii) (viii) (ix) (x) Appointment of Auditors. Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given). Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season. Other business of which due notice shall have been given seven days prior to the meeting in writing and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting. (b) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least seven days prior to the meeting, and to the Somerset County Football Association. (c) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Somerset County Football Association(s) within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting. (d) Each Member Club shall be must send a delegate to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than seven days notice shall be given of any Meeting. (e) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing 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 half of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides. (g) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club. (h) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting shall be fined 50.00. Apologies will be recorded but the fine will be imposed. (i) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting. (k) The Club Secretary of a NEW club and any newly elected Club Secretary of an existing club must prior to the commencement of the season undertake induction training on each of their duties and responsibilities. A Club s acceptance into the League will be conditional upon completion of such training. Non-attendance will be subject to a fine of 25.00 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, (Chairman) and (Secretary) of the Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the MID SOMERSET FOOTBALL LEAGUE Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16." Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Somerset County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition. 8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS (a) A bona-fide member is one who has signed an official registration form, (such signature to be witnessed) and had been duly registered by the League Registration Secretary. Registrations are valid for one season only. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The management committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player The management committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player at their discretion of any player except those under 18 years of age may fine any player at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (Subject to Rule 16) The management committee shall power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16). Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association. For the purpose of this rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence. All participants shall abide by the Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by the Association from time to time. (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) (b) A registered player must have signed a fully and correctly completed Registration form, countersigned by the Secretary of the club and registered with the Registrations Secretary by midnight on the day prior to playing either by the Secretary receiving the hard copy by that time or by using the provisional registration system below (Incomplete or incorrect registration forms will be refused). Player registrations will be confirmed by the Registrations Secretary by email. Clubs must ensure they receive the email before playing the individual concerned (this does not apply to online registrations which are confirmed through the official website). Should there be any dispute as to the date of posting the date of registration shall be day following a 1 st class postmark.
A player can be provisionally registered online within the League s registration system by midnight the day prior to playing. If a player is provisionally registered in this way then a player shall not eligible until confirmation of eligibility has been noted by the club secretary by viewing the full-time website. The hard copy in respect of all registration documents must be received within 4 days following, failing which the registration will be withdrawn and clubs may be subsequently charged with the ineligible player rule (8e) (c) Clubs will be able to download the Player Registration Form from the Mid-Somerset Full-time Website. Registrations will be invoiced to Clubs at appropriate times throughout the season at a cost of 50p per player. (d) No registrations shall be permitted after 31 st March. (e) Any team found guilty of playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall be dealt with as follows:- i) shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and shall be fined at the Management Committees discretion up to 50 ii) in addition the team shall have 3 points deducted from its total and may be dealt with any further manner which is thought to be fit. iii) Any points gained in the match in question, may at the Management Committees discretion be awarded to the opponents of the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed. iv) The Management Committee may if a match is not ordered to be replayed under this rule, order the guilty team to bear the costs associated with the replayed match v) Clubs who are ordered to replay the game do so without the inclusion of the original/ineligible player. (f) Clubs found guilty of falsifying a registration form or players signing two registration forms shall be fined the sum of 10 and further dealt with as the Management Committee so decide. (g) Clubs must register a minimum of eleven players for each team belonging to that club, with the Registration Secretary on official registration forms, SEVEN days prior to the opening fixture of the League Season (League or Cup) failure to do so shall result in a fine of 25.00 (h) A player shall play in League matches for the club for which he is registered and shall not play for another club in this League unless permission for his transfer is obtained from the club for which he was registered. (i) A player having played more than 5 games in senior football shall cease to eligible but shall be allowed to apply to the League Council for re-instatement. (j) Any player having played more than 5 games in a higher division shall not be allowed to play in any lower division cups except a player having played 3 or more consecutive lower league games, or a player not having played 3 or more consecutive weeks prior to the game. (Suspensions would not count in the above) (k) Players having played more than 5 games in a higher division of the Midsomerset League will be considered a member of the clubs highest Midsomerset League team and therefore teams can only play 3 players from its preceding higher level Midsomeset League game in any reserve or A team fixture within the league. Clubs playing more than the requiste 3 players will be considered ineligible and dealt with under 8e. (l) Only non-contracted players will be allowed to play in the League and Cup competitions. (m) A player does not loose his senior status until all competitions governed by the Mid Somerset League have been completed. (n) All cup games to be covered by Junior Cup rules, (i.e. No re-instated players allowed) with the exception of the Charity Cup under provision of Charity Cup rule 4. (o) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee. (p) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. (q) (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 (iii) Players not having attained the age of 16 may not be permitted to play in the League. U16 players may be preregistered before the 31 st but not able to play until the date of his 16 th birthday. (Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in Football Association Rules will apply.) (r) The Registration Secretary may accept applications for re-instatements, subject to the approval of the League Council, provided the application, on League form R1 together with a fee of 10.00, reaches him by 12 midnight the day before a player is required to play. Such re-instatements, if granted shall allow a further 5 games in Senior Football. (s) Requests for re-instatements shall be granted only in circumstances, which are considered to justify the re-instatement. No re-instatement will be considered for players signed on or after 31 st January (t) No club may re-instate more than two players in any one week. (u) A second re-instatement will be subjected to the Registration Secretary, in consultation with the officers. (v) No application shall be considered under this rule after 31 st March. (w) Re-instatements by other Leagues do not count. (x) Any player wishing to be transferred to another club must make applications on League form T1 to be obtained from the Registration Secretary, accompanied by a fee of 10.00. (y) Transferred players must be re-registered. (z) Applications for transfers will not be considered after 31 st March (za) Players are required to inform civilian clubs of their rank and service number which information is required on the League Registration Form. 9. CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts,shorts and socks with the Secretary by 30 th June who shall decide as to their suitability.
Goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from other players and the referee. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black shirts. Kit (shirts, shorts, socks) must be of differing colours between teams. In the event, or the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the home team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined 10.00. The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. All shirts must be numbered, as per team sheet, with the starting line up numbered from one to eleven (B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee. 10.PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season that shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by the Fixtures Secretary. The League may commence fixtures in the third week in August; ALL teams must commence their fixtures by the first Saturday in September. The Annual General Meeting shall determine the concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. The Fixture Secretary shall make all fixtures and be responsible for re-arranging postponed fixtures and receive a 3.00 levy per team for preparing fixtures. Any Club requesting no fixture on a specified date must give the Fixture Secretary 28 days notice in conjunction with rule 10j. (B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board. Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. All league games shall kick off 2.30pm, except during November, December & January all League games will kick off at 2.00pm. All cup games shall kick off 2.00pm, except during November, December & January all cup games will kick off at 1.45pm. All clubs mutually agreeing to times other than the foregoing shall notify the Fixture, Registration and Referees Appointments Secretaries at least one week prior to the match. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. The home team must provide two footballs fit for play to the referee ten minutes prior to play or a fine a fine of 10.00. The home team to ensure that the pitch is suitable for play ten minutes prior to play, including goal nets and corner flags. Clubs in default to be fined 10.00. (c) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixtures Secretary. (d) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. A minimum of seven players will constitute a team for a Competition match. (e) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement including evening fixtures, (with the exception of unfitness of ground) the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine and/or deduct points from the defaulting Club as follows: Cancellation of fixture, 20 fine, 1 point deducted. Cancellation of fixture within seven day of match, 25 fine, 1 point deducted. Cancellation of fixture on day of match, 30 fine, 3 points deducted. The management committee shall also have the discretion for further action in such cases including, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. When clubs have to cancel prior to the day of game due to unfit grounds the Fixture Secretary must be contacted first to enable him to attempt to rearrange the fixture 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 may be fined or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee. (f) Clubs are not advised to call off their players or their opponents until the League Referees Secretary has authorised them to do so in order that an alternative venue can be considered.notice of postponement of any match must be given without delay by the postponing Club by 11.30 am on the day of the match to the Fixtures Secretary and the Referees Appointments Secretary along with the opposing Club. Any Club failing to comply with any of the aforementioned shall result in a fine of 5.00 for any combination of offences. Officers of the Management Committee reserve the right to call a Pitch Inspection by an appointed Match Official the cost of which will be borne by the League. In the event of a cancellation for any other reason than unfit pitch, the Management Committee reserve the right to investigate and if appropriate reverse the fixture for that day. Offenders will be further dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee. Clubs are not advised to call off their players or their opponents until the Referees Appointments Secretary (League Chairman) has authorised them to do so in order that an alternative venue can be considered.
(g) The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both teams. Where it is to the advantage of the competition and does no injustice to either club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. Results of abandoned matches of more than 70 minutes duration shell be deemed to stand, not forgoing the following provisions. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate Association. (h) 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 five named players. The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes on the team sheet prior to the start of the match. A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition. All substitutes should be indicated as to whether they have used (with a ) or not used (with an X). (i) The half time interval shall be of five minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes the half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee. (j) Requests for free weeks will not be considered (midweek or Saturday) if the fixture is after 31 st March (due to the number of evening league and cup finals being played at this time of season) 11. REPORTING RESULTS (a) The Registration Secretary must receive within FOUR days of the date played, the result of each Competition match on an official result sheet. The match result information, correctly completed (to include result, referee marking, forename and surname of players, indicating substitutes used/not used or any other information required by the competition) shall be signed by a responsible member of the club. Failure to do so will incur a fine of 20.00. Persistent offenders will be dealt with as the Management Committee determine. (b) Team must text the SMS (full-time system including County Cup fixtures) by 5pm on Saturdays and 9pm on weekdays. Failure to do so will incur a fine of 10.00. 12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP (a) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings may be decided by any one or more of the following ways: - (i) Goal difference (iii) Goals scored (iii) The collective results between the two teams shall be considered (iv) In the event of all of the above being level a play off between the teams shall be arranged by the management committee. (b) In the event of a team not completing its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table. (c) Where a promotion and/or relegation link exists between Competitions Mid Somerset League clubs, providing they meet the appropriate grading criteria, will be eligible to make application to the Somerset County League Competition at their Annual General Meeting. Should the Champion Club not wish for promotion or, alternatively, not have the necessary grading criteria, then the second place Club will be eligible under the same conditions. (d) Promotion and relegation will exist in all divisions with the top two teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 being promoted and the bottom 2 in Premier, Divisions 1 and 2 being relegated with the exception of circumstances that require maintenance of the status quo in terms of numbers. (j) No Reserve team shall play in the same division as its premier team. In the event of such a reserve team becoming Champions or Runners-up of a lower division; they shall forfeit such right to promotion, their place being taken by the next highest club, pro rata. (k) In the event of a first team being relegated into a lower division in which its reserve team plays, relegation will apply to both teams. Both teams would have the right to apply for any vacancy in the higher division. 13. REFEREES (a) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed by the Referees Appointments Secretary. (b) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee. (c) The referee s secretary shall have the authority to appoint assistant referees for any games which is considered to be of such importance that such appointments are deemed necessary. The assistants shall be paid a fee of 15.00 each with the costs split equally between the two clubs. Assistant Referees shall be appointed to semi-finals wherever possible. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee, who shall report to the appointed match official ten minutes prior to kick off, failure to do so will result in a fine of 10.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team. (d) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.
(e) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge half-fee, regardless of distance travelled. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses ten minutes before the match,(or at the discretion of the referee) or subject to a fine of 10.00. (f) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses. The club shall also be charged 10.00 administration costs by the league. (g) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he is registered. (h) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the official result sheet provided (see appendix 3). Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined 20.00 and dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine. The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association. (i) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the (Registration) Secretary within two days of the match. (j) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge. (k) Both clubs must provide the Referee and the opposing club with a correctly numbered team sheet (1-15) on the official form ten minutes before kick-off. Teams shall exchange team sheets in the presence of the referee. Failure to comply will result in a fine of 20.00. (l) Match Officials are expected to be in attendance 30 minutes prior to kick off. (m) Team Sheets should be retained by the appointed Match Official until the end of the season. 14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB (a) After 31 st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31 st March each Season or be liable to a fine 50.00 All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by 30 th April. (b) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine of 50.00 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B). (c) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the Formation Meeting held for that purpose, or at the Annual General Meeting, the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements. (d) In the event of a Member Club, which is an un-incorporated association, withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition. In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club s Parent County Association for a suspension order. 15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS (a) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the League Appeals Committee. (ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee. (b) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in triplicate with the Secretary within seven days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined. (c) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16. (d) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of 15.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties. (e) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information, which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint. 16. BOARD OF APPEAL Within 7 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate
with the Secretary of the Somerset Football Association, including a fee of 16.00 for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned. No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct. 17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS. MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS (a) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot, which must be supported by (more than) two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. (b) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) twothirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting. (c) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule. (d) Any Club or Team failing to complete its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season. (e) The League reserves the right to withdraw an existing registration or refuse a new registration of any player who, in the opinion of the League Council, has acted in an inappropriate manner, contrary to the rules of the game or provisions of the League Code of Conduct, such behavior having been reported to the County F.A. (Subject to the provisions of Rule 8 (a)) Players so charged shall appear before the disciplinary sub-committee of the league, said committee to be consisted of a chairman and one member elected by the committee, a representative of the Mid Somerset Referees and the League Chairman. The registration to be returned at the discretion of the Committee only after the offending player has appeared before the Committee. The League also reserves the right to refuse to accept any person in any official capacity to any club, guilty of similar behavior under the same procedure. (f) Clubs reported to the league for incidents of misconduct or breaches of the Code of Conduct, having also been reported to the county association and found guilty, shall appear before the disciplinary sub-committee, as constituted in 17 (e). The committee in due consideration of all the facts reserve the right to impose some or all of the following penalties: a. Warn the club as to it s future conduct b. Fined up to a maximum of 50.00 c. Deducted up to a maximum of 3 points d. Recommend expulsion from league to a special general meeting of the league, in accordance with the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of this rule 18. TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. (a) If a Competition be discontinued for any reason a Trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the sanctioning Association may decide. At the close of each Competition awards may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit. (b) All clubs shall be levied 10.00 to cover insurance of Trophies (c) Winners of Mid Somerset League Cups, Shields and Trophies shall return same in good order, clean and suitably engraved to the League Secretary by March 1 st, or when so required. A cup receipt agreement will be provided which cup winners will be required to sign and record the condition of said cup. Any Club failing to comply with the above requirements will be fined 50 and/or engraving/cleaning/repair costs (see appendix 2) 19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting. The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time. At least seven days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send a delegate to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall/may be fined 50.00. Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings. 20. ALTERATION TO RULES Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season. Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31 st March in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto
shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority of those present and entitled to vote are in favour. A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association seven days prior to the date of the meeting. Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained. 21. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS Midsomerset League is a RESPECT League and all clubs are required to adhere to the criteria required by RESPECT an overview of which is set out in Appendix 6 (a) Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. (b) Each Member Club must abide by Mid Somerset League Code of Conduct (Appendix 5). Each club shall be supplied with two copies of the League Code of Conduct, retaining one copy whilst returning the other, duly signed by the club secretary to the League secretary prior to the commencement of the League season, failure to do so shall result in a fine of 25.00. All clubs will be expected to adhere to ALL aspects of the Code of Conduct whilst competing in all league competitions. (c) All clubs shall be supplied Draw tickets for any League draw in the ratio of twenty books per team. Clubs must pay for their allocation of draw tickets, sold or unsold, and must return all monies and counterfoils to the League Treasurer by the date specified. (d) All league/cup affiliations must be paid by due date or a fine of 25.00 imposed All fines must be payed within 14 days or the original fine will be doubled. Should the fine remain unpaid the cumulative fine to be doubled every seven days. Failure to pay the fine after a further twenty-eight days from the first failure shall result in withdraw of fixtures. (e) Any player selected for a League Representative XI cannot play in any other League competition game on that same day without permission from the League. When a club has a player selected for the League, it has the option to cancel its fixture on that day. (f) All clubs shall have personal accident insurance cover for their players, a copy of this policy shall be submitted to the League Secretary for inspection prior to the start of the season. Clubs shall not be allowed to play in the league until they have submitted a copy of their insurance policy. (g) All clubs must provide secure dressing rooms for opposing teams and match officials, this to include provision to lock the dressing room to prevent entry to those other than officially permitted to do so during match time. Furthermore all clubs MUST ensure that the dressing rooms are of a sufficiently high standard to allow players or officials to change and shower in a clean and hygienic environment. Failure to provide said conditions will result in an inspection by the league after which the league may suspend fixtures taking place at a ground not of sufficient standard. ALL clubs must provide the Referee with a changing area separate from both teams. Said changing area to be compliant with the other provisions of this rule 22. FINANCE (a) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged. (b) All expenditure in excess of 2000.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee. (c) The financial year of the Competition will end on 31 st March. (d) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. ANY CLUB CONTINUALLY INFRINGING THESE RULES WILL PUT ITS LEAGUE STATUS IN JEOPARDY