LEAGUE RULES

1.NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

(A)This Competition shall be designated the Teesside Football League and known as the
Jack Hatfield Sports Teesside Football League and shall consist of not more than 48 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs.

New Members are to be probationary members for one year, and should apply for Full Membership in writing at the next A.G.M.

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 their County Football Association. The Member Clubs at the Annual General Meeting shall determine the area covered by the Competition Membership.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the North Riding County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in one or more divisions.

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.

(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.

2.ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition must be made in writing to the Secretary before the date of the A.G.M.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £50.00 per Team payable on or before the A.G.M. or within 14 days of the A.G.M. in each year.

(C) New Clubs shall within 14 days of election pay a Membership Fee of £60.00 which shall not be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition. All Clubs are to inform the Secretary of their Handbook Sponsor/s, with a Fee of £40.00 within 14 days of the A.G.M.

(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Annual Subscription and all other fees have been paid.

(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by the date of the A.G.M. or within 14 days of the A.G.M. of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined by the League Management Committee. Clubs must also advise the Secretary in writing, on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition within 14 days of the A.G.M.

3. OFFICERS

The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Secretary/Treasurer and Assistant/Registration Secretary, and are to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

The League Management Committee may nominate to the Member Clubs for their approval, at the A.G.M. Hon -Vice Presidents of the League in recognition of outstanding services to the League who will be invited to attend the A.G.M. and can take part, but have no voting rights.

4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

(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 be represented pro-rata to one member for every three clubs in membership, with a minimum of six representatives, who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than the 14th April 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 as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises. 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.

5.POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

(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.

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary to act as an Emergency Sub Committee, whose decisions will be ratified by the Management Committee.

(B) Subject to the permission of the 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 these 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 Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.

(F) 4 (four) Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and 3 (three) 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 matches, may have any out of pocket 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.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% 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 therefrom.
(iii)To receive and adopt the Annual Report, 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)Appointment of Auditors.
(viii)Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(ix)Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.
(x)Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

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

(C)A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Parent County Football Association(s) within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send three delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 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.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least one third 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 without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £50.00

(I)Officers of the League shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

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 Title Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, 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 Parent County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.

8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are permitted in the 1st Division of this Competition only.

(B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club.

(C) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player's signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.

(D) A fee of £1.00 shall be paid for each player registered.
Registration forms shall be obtained from the Secretary free of charge

(E) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

(F) 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
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.

(G)(i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player.

(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall have 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.

(Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute.)

(H) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. (First Transfer). £10.00 (Second Transfer during the current season), but no player shall be transferred more than twice in any one season. A second transfer of a player will not be granted until 28 days have elapsed from his first transfer. Such transfer shall be referred by the Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Club's consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date of transfer.

(I) In the event of an objection to a transfer or any other matter concerning registrations, the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

(J) A player may not be registered for a Club after 31st March each season, nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 31st March each season, except by special permission of the Management Committee.

(K) No club in the League shall be allowed to approach any player who has played in a League game for any other club in the League during the playing season, without the sanction of the Committee of the Club for whom such player played. Any Club shall be entitled to appeal to the Committee of the League when such sanction is withheld, and the Committee of the League shall have the power to grant or withhold same. Any player shall be entitled to apply to his club for an open transfer at any time, and in case the Committee of the Club refuse to grant the same, he shall be entitled to appeal to the Committee of the League, who shall have power to grant or refuse the same.

(L) 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.

(M) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only.

(N) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and be fined a minimum of £25.00 and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition the team may have 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.

9. CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME

(A) No Club may change its name without seeking approval from the League Management Committee one month before the date of the AGM. Any Club who has a complete name change will be subject to pay the fee as a new Club.

(B) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary within 14 days of the A.G.M. who shall decide as to their suitability.

(C) Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 4 (FOUR) days before the match or shall be deal with by the Management Committee

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be deal with by the Management Committee.

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 1 – 11. Substitutes must be numbered 12 onwards, offenders will be dealt with by 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, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by the Secretary, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting.

(B) The fixtures are to be compiled by the Secretary and should any two Clubs be vacant of League fixtures on a Saturday and the Secretary shall have the power to order them to play a League match on that day. The order to play, from the Secretary, should be received by the previous Wednesday. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(C) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

(D) 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.

(E) All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 70 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

(F) The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time will be dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. All Referees must acquaint the club, which is to be subject of any report, for breach of League rules, prior to leaving the ground, on the day of the match.

(G) The Home team must have their grounds properly marked out, with goal nets and corner flags. Two (2) match balls must be presented to the match Referee prior to the kick off, or the Club will be fined a minimum of £10.00 and be further dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

(H) Clubs are to have their playing areas roped, or similarly enclosed, the fine for breach of rule to be a minimum of £10.00. Only named substitutes are allowed in the Dugouts, and the only people allowed in the technical area, are the coach/manager of the team and physio. All spectators must remain outside the enclosed area. Clubs in default will be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(I) 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, the Senior Cup Competition of the North Riding County and Durham County Association and the semi-finals and final ties of the County Associations and the Teesside Football League Challenge Bowl Competition only, are to take precedence over the Teesside Football League matches. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Secretary.

(J) 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 all match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 4 (Four) clear days prior to the playing of the match. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(K) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. No club is allowed to play two Teesside League matches in one day.

(L) In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 11 (Eleven) players they shall be fined £5.00 for each missing player. A minimum of 7 (seven) players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

(M) 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 minimum fine of £50.00 and deduct 3 (Three) points from the defaulting Club, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals

(N) Notice of postponement of any match must be given without delay by the postponing Club in the first instance to the Competition Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.

(O) 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. Failing such agreement and notification to the Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.

(P) The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches 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, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand.

In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall 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 County Association.

(Q) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 3 (Three) substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 (Five) players. The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 20 (Twenty) minutes before the start of the match.

A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(R) The half time interval shall be of 10 (ten) minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

11.REPORTING RESULTS

(A) The Secretary must receive within 2 (Two) days of the date played, excluding Sundays, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10.00 for the first offence, £20.00. For the second offence, £30.00 for a Third offence, with any further offences being dealt with as the Management Committee decides.

(B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match to the Secretary by 4.45 PM for a Saturday match, or 9.00 PM for an evening match or within 30 minutes at the conclusion of the game whichever, or sooner. Clubs in default shall be subject to an automatic fine of £10.00 for the first offence, £20.00. For the second offence, £30.00 for a Third offence, with any further offences being dealt with as the Management Committee decides. ALL Clubs in F.A or County Cup competitions MUST adhere strictly to this rule and inform the League Secretary if HOME or AWAY.

(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. Clubs in default shall be subject to an automatic fine of £10.00 for the first offence, £20.00. For the second offence, £30.00 for a Third offence, with any further offences being dealt with as the Management Committee decides.

12.DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 (Three) points to be awarded for a win and 1 (One) points 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.

Goal difference to decide the League placing when one or more teams are level on points in all positions, in the event of the difference being equal, the winner shall be the club which has scored most goals.

The bottom two Clubs in the First Division will be relegated to the Second Division,
The bottom two Clubs in the Second Division will be relegated to the Third Division and the top two Clubs in the Second Division will be promoted to the First Division and the top two Clubs in the Third Division will be promoted to the Second Division

(B) In the event of a team not completing all of its fixtures for the season the Management Committee shall have the power to deal with the matter as it may determine.

(C) The two lowest teams shall retire at the Annual Meeting, but shall be eligible for re-election.

(D) In all cases where a Club has failed to complete its fixtures during the season, the record of the matches played by such Club shall be deleted from the League table if more than TWO matches remain to be played. If a Club has only ONE or TWO matches unplayed points will be awarded as follows:-

(i)If a Club was not in default lost or drew the first match, the point’s value of the League for a drawn match shall be awarded to such club.
(ii)If a Club which was not in default won the first match, the points value of
The League for a win shall be awarded to such Club.
(iii)If a Club which was not in default had not played either match, the points
Value of the League for a win shall be awarded to such Club.

13.REFEREES

(A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee.

(C) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final.

(D) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses or private car expenses of 30p per mile and any other permitted expenses actually incurred together with the following match fees: - Referee £20.00. Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £15.00, subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s). The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses immediately after the match.

(E) For League matches only, a Match Officials Cost Equalisation Scheme shall operate, the travelling expenses of Match Officials shall be pooled, each club rendering on the Match Form details of all payments made. Match Officials Expenses paid in respect of abandoned or cancelled League matches shall be included. The cost equalisation scheme will operate separately for all Divisions

Clubs must send all details of match expenses with their Match Return Form. Clubs in default shall be subject to an automatic fine of £10.00 for the first offence, £20.00 For the second offence, £30.00 for a Third offence, with any further offences being dealt with by the Management Committee.

(F) The League Secretary shall at the conclusion of the season, divide the total cost of the Officials travelling expenses by the total of clubs and where the total payment made by the club is less than the equal share of the pool, the clubs shall pay the difference to the League. Where the sum paid by the clubs is more than the equal share of the pool the League shall reimburse the difference accordingly.

(G) 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 half fee plus expenses. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee and expenses.

(H) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his or her non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she is registered.

(I) Clubs must have separate changing rooms for the visiting Club and the Match Officials.

(J) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. It must also include a marking for the match referees competency on a scale of 1 – 100, any mark of 60 or less must include a detailed report of the Referees performance. Any incomplete, incorrect or late match form will be subject to an automatic fine of £10.00 for the first offence, £20.00 For the second offence, £30.00 for a Third offence, with any further offences being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

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.

(K) No official of the League, who is a Referee shall be appointed to officiate in any match connected with such League unless the appointed Referee intimates his inability to officiate within twenty-four hours prior to the match.

14.CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR
WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

(A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, to withdraw a team from the Competition and/or not applying for re-election, on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31st March each Season. Any Club resigning after the 30th April in the season. Any Club resigning after the 30th April shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £400.00.

(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting.
Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £400.00 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 Annual General Meeting held not later than 30th June 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 APPEALS

(A)(i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall
be referred to the Management Committee.

(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within 3 (Three) 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 £20.00 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 7 (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 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Leagues parent Football Association, including a fee of £25.00, 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.

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 which must be supported by two-thirds of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. 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 misconduct, 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 70% of 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.

18.TROPHY:- LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.

(A) A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition be discontinued for any cause the Cup or Trophy shall be returned to the Donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the 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.

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-
“We A ________________ and B______________________, the Chairman and Secretary of ________________________FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of _____________________Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before 1st April in any season. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”

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 7 (Seven) days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than
7 (Seven) days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

Any Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined as the Management Committee decides.

Officers of the League 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 the 1st May in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 14th May, and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 21st May. 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 two thirds of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.

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

21.RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

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 £200.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 31st May. All accounts with the League must be settled by the 24th May in each year. Clubs in default will be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(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.

23.DISCIPLINE

All fines, suspensions and payments imposed upon Clubs, Players, Referees or Officials by the League Committee must be reported by the Secretary of the League to such Club, Player, Referee or Official within seven days. All fines and payments must be made , to the Secretary of the League within one month after adjudication, and if not paid during the period the facts must be reported to the Secretary of the Association with whom the Club affected if affiliated, within seven days, on order that the defaulting Club, Player, Referee or Official may be suspended. When it is necessary to report the facts to the County Association, as above, the amount shall be doubled and the Association shall add any other amount, the Council may decide. If the facts are not reported within seven days of the expiration of the month from the date of the fine being imposed, the suspension of the defaulting Club, Player, Referee or Official will not be enforced.

24.MANAGEMENT LONG SERVICE AWARDS.

Officials of the League and members of the Management Committee who have served 15 years (continuous) are to be considered for a long service souvenir.

RULES OF LEAGUE CUP COMPETITIONS.

1.The competitions shall be for all clubs competing in the Teesside Football League, and shall be under the management and control of the League Management Committee.

2.The Competition shall commence and be continued, the Rounds shall be drawn, the dates fixed and the matches played as the League may determine. Matches must be played on the dates determined by the League and if a ground is not available or unplayable provision must be made to provide a ground or play on the ground of the opponents.

3.All clubs eliminated in the preliminary and first rounds of the MacMillan Bowl shall take part in the R T Raine Trophy. The Winners and runners – up of the previous seasons MacMillan Bowl or R T Raine Trophy, will be exempt of any Preliminary round, in the event of more than 16 teams competing in the Teesside Football League in any Season. Separate Cup Competitions will run for any othes Divisions as per these cup rules.

4.Entry fee to be £50.00 per season.

5.The gate money taken at matches shall be divided as follows:

Thirty-three and a third per cent of the rounds and semi – finals to go to league funds. The remainder after paying there out expenses, to be equally divided between the two competing clubs. The League to take the gate money from the final tie.

6.Any player shall be qualified to play in the rounds (except the semi – finals and final) of the competition, who, at the date when the round is played, would be qualified to play in a Teesside League game. In the semi – final and final ties a player must have played at least three Teesside League games before the time of the match, or have taken part in a previous round. Only players eligible to play in the original tie are eligible to play in any game to be replayed, or game that was postponed. No player shall play for more than one club in the competition in any season.

7.The winning club shall hold the Silver Bowl (MacMillan Bowl) for one year, and be presented with medals or mementoes if funds permit, and the runners – up shall also be presented with medals or mementoes if funds permit. Individual trophies will be awarded for the R T Raine Trophy winners, if funds permit, and runners – up, if funds permit.

8.The Referee fee shall be £20.00 per match, plus travelling expenses at 25p per mile, the Assistant Referees fee shall be £15.00 per match. Plus travelling expenses at 25p per mile. Where possible, Referees and Assistant Referees must travel together. All fees and expenses must be paid on the day of the match by the home team. Any team failing to do so will be fined a minimum of £5.00.
Should the match not be played owing to the ground being unfit or adverse weather conditions, Referees and Assistant Referees shall receive half fees, plus expenses as above.

9.All teams shall field a full team of eleven (11) players. Defaulting clubs will be dealt with by the Management Committee.

10.Three (3) substitutes are allowed from five nominated to the Referee before the kick off. List of players (match cards) must be exchanged.

11.All matches will be played over ninety (90) minutes duration with a ten (10) minute half time interval. In all rounds, when the result at 90 minutes is drawn, extra time of 15 minutes each way shall be played, in the event of the match still been drawn, penalty kicks as in accordance with International Board Decisions to decide the match.

12.Semi – final ties in the MacMillan Bowl and R T Raine Trophy to be played on the ground of the first drawn team, and the Final will be held on a ground as arranged by the League.

13.Any event not specifically covered by these rules, will be subject to rules governing the North Riding F.A County and Senior Cup Competitions.

J V MADDEN TROPHY

A Match to be played each season to perpetuate the memory of the late Chairman
Mr. J V Madden.

The following rules shall apply: -

A match shall be played between the League Champions and MacMillan Bowl Winners, or in the event of both trophies held by the same Club, then between the League Champions and League Runners – Up on the ground of the League Champions, or on a mutually agreed ground. The Match to be played prior to the start of the season, either Saturday or Mid – week, such date to be fixed by agreement between the competing clubs and notified to the League Secretary 28 days before the date of the 1st League fixture. The match to played over 90 minutes, followed by a penalty competition as with International Board Decisions. The League Management Committee to decide on any event not covered by these rules.