LEAGUE RULES

1.NOMENCLATURE & CONSTITUTION

(a) This Competition shall be designated the Chelmsford Invitation League and known as the Chelmsford Invitation League and shall consist of not more than 40 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 Essex County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be Chelmsford and the surrounding Districts.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Essex County Football Association(s) and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 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.

(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.ENTRANCE FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

(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 and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £10 per team which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. The Entry Fee shall apply.

When Rule 12(B) is applied 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 £60 per Team payable on or before the Annual General Meeting in each year.

(c) Each Club shall within 14 days of election pay a Deposit of £75.00 which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.

(d) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit have been paid.

(e) Clubs must advise annually to the League Secretary in writing by the 30th June of its Essex County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season. 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. Clubs failing to send in the prescribed form by 30th June shall be fined £10.00.

3.OFFICERS

The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees Appointments Secretary, Assistant Referees Appointments Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Fines Secretary, Press & Results Secretary, Social Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Minutes Secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).

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 twelve members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by the Association from time to time.

(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 30th 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 monthly 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.
Telephone communications to League Officers must be made before 8.30 p.m. Clubs in default may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may decide.

5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

(a) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association

(b) Subject to the permission of the Essex 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 6e).

(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, Club Official(limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) 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. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.

(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 seven days.

(f) Five Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and 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 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) No participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

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 one third of the competitions Members are present and entitled to vote:-

1. To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
2. To consider any business arising there from.
3. To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
4. Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
5. Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
6. Election of Officers and Management Committee.
7. Appointment of Auditors.
8. Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
9. Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.
10. 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, and to the Essex County Football Association.

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

(d) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates 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.

(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 £10.

(i) Officers and Management Committee members 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 Chelmsford Invitation League 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 Essex County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.

(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).

8.QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(a) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.

(b) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible has:-

1. Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Registrations Secretary four days prior to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing.
   Accompanying the said Registration Forms must be two recent passport approved photographs both signed by the Club Secretary and the player concerned. The Club Secretary MUST be in possession of the counterfoil & Photo Identity Card having been duly completed and signed by the Registration Secretary before commencement of the match.
   All completed registration forms must be accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of the counterfoils. Clubs failing to comply will result in a fine of £5.00. At least eight Registration Forms & photos per team must be completed & returned to the Hon. Registration Secretary before the 20th August each year. Clubs in default will be fined £30.00 per team.


2. Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Registrations Secretary within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the match. The player shall not again play until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil. A maximum of three players may be registered in this way.
   Accompanying the said Registration Forms must be two recent passport approved photographs both signed by the Club Secretary and the player concerned. The Club Secretary MUST be in possession of the counterfoil & Photo Identity Card having been duly completed and signed by the Registration Secretary before he can play again. All completed registration forms must be accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of the counterfoils. Clubs failing to comply will result in a fine of £5.00. All Clubs will be issued with 25 registration forms per team at the Annual General Meeting.

(c)Not in Use

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

(e) A fee of £1.00 shall be paid for each player registered.Registration forms shall be obtained from the Registrations Secretary on prepayment of 25p per form.

(g) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:-

1. Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred.
2. 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.
3. Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(h)

1. The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player.
2. The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player (except those under 18 years of age) at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).
3. The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association.
   Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered with.

(Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association.)
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.

(i) 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 Registrations Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5. Such transfer shall be referred by the Registrations 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 Registrations 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 Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or ten days after receipt of such transfer.

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

(j) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the last day of February except by special permission of the Management Committee.

(k) 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.

(l) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations Secretary 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.
In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule.

(m) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played 3 games for that team in this Competition in the current season.

(n) Any Club playing in division one or lower shall not include in any one game more than three players who have played for a team in a higher division six times or more during the current season.

(o)

1. Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall be fined £25 per player and may have the points gained in the match deducted from its totaland may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
2. In addition the team may have up to 4 points deducted from it's total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
3. The management committee may at its desecration award the points available in the match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.

(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):-

(p)

1. Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.
2. The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues).
3. To play open age football, the player must have achieved the age of 16.

(Note: For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in Football Association Rules will apply.)

(q) All identity cards must be held by a responsible club official on the touch line during League matches and will be exchanged any time before, during, or up to 15 minutes following completion of the fixture. The identity cards must be returned after examination. Further checks may be requested, where necessary. The appropriate set of identity cards must be available for inspection, if requested, by a management committee member if present. Failure to comply with the terms of this rule will be regarded as an offence under "rule 8(O) and may be further dealt with by the Management Committee.

If after checking the Registration ID cards as detailed above some doubt exists as to the identity of one or more players, then the player(s) in question must, in the presence of Officials/members from both teams, sign his name which must match that on the Registration ID card.

A responsible Club Official or League Management Committee member shall have the power to demand the name and signature from any player whose photo identity card is not present at the match.

The Management Committee shall deal with any individual or Club failing to co-operate fully with such request.

9.CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME

(a) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 30th June who shall decide as to their suitability.
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 five days before the match. 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 fined £5.
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. Shirts must be numbered. Any club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £5 and/or dealt with as the Management Committee may decide.
The team captain shall wear an armband to signify that he is the captain. On leaving the field and taking no further part in the match, he shall pass the armband to another member of his team. Any Club failing to comply with this rule shall be fined £5.00.

(b) Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.
Any Club wishing to change its colours must obtain permission from the Management Committee.

10.PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY. TIME 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 Fixtures Secretary, or, at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 31st July, must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual General Meeting. The Fixture Secretary shall have full authority to arrange and rearrange fixture dates at his/her own discretion for all Sundays during the season. Clubs will normally receive fixtures on a monthly basis in advance.

(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 matches shall be of 90 minutes duration unless a shorter time (not less than 60 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10.00 or be otherwise 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.

The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used. Any Club failing to supply a suitable match ball to the referee before the game shall be fined £5.00.

(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) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least four clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club should seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £5.

(e) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition.

(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another or lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.)

In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 10 players they shall be fined £5.for each missing player. A minimum of 8 players will constitute a team for a Competition match.

(f) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, and 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.

Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence: - First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.

Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the Fixtures Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable.

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 Fixtures Secretary within 14 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.

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. 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 has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the management Committee for an abandoned match.

(g) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.

The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than two 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.

(h) 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.

11.REPORTING RESULTS

(a) The Registration Secretary must receive within five days of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £10 and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

(b) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match to the Press & Results Secretary between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The names of goalscorers must also be supplied. This requirement also applies to postponed and abandoned matches. This rule applies for all Competition matches, including County Cups. The Away Club must also comply with the above. Clubs failing to comply shall be fined £10.00 and/or otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

(c) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.

12.DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS SYSTEM PROMOTIOS & RELEGATION

(a) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with two 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 shall be decided in any one or more of the following ways:-

1. Goal difference
2. Goals for
3. Goal average
4. Deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.

(b) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b).

1. Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.
2. Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season may be filled on any of the following ways:
   
   1. Retention of otherwise relegated team(s)
   2. Additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below
   3. Election
      
3. The last two teams in the lowest Division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of paragraph (B)(1) above.
4. When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower Division; and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition.
5. Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the Divisions have its senior team in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned.

(c) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
Where a team withdraws having completed 75% of its fixtures the points for any unplayed games shall be awarded to the defaulting team's opponents.

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, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, 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.The home Club shall have first choice of a suitable person to referee the match. If the home club is unable to nominate such a person, the away club shall have a choice.
Any match not played will be treated as a breach of rule 10(f).

(c) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed, each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5 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.

(e) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard class public transport expenses which will be included within the following match fees:- Referee £30.00 inclusive, Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £15.00 inclusive, subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association (currently £30.00 maximum).

The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses immediately after the match. Teams Failing to comply with this rule shall be fined £20 and/or otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may decide

(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 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.

(g) A Referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she 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 prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or 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 Referees 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.

14.CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

(a) After 31st 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 31st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £25

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 31st March each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £25

(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 not exceeding
£100 per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).

(c) Not in Use

(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. APPEALS AND DEPOSITS

(a)

1. All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
   
2. 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 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 Rule16.

(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 £10. 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 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 Essex Football Association, including a fee of £35 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 which must be supported by more than two thirds (2/3) 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, which must be supported by more than two-thirds (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 75% 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, CONDITION 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.

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-

(B)“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 31st March. 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.”

All teams must hand back the Cups to the League Secretary within 7 days following the current season’s Cup Finals. The Committee will then have all the Cups engraved and re-presented at the Annual Presentation Dinner/Dance

(C) At the close of each Competition awards may be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

19.SPECIAL 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 two delegates 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 be fined £10

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
All amendment of Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority.

20.ALTERATIONS 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 28th February in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 31st March and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 15th April. 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 at least twenty eight 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

(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. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

(B)All Clubs must purchase three tickets for the Annual Presentation function to be paid for by 30th April each year. Clubs failing to comply shall be fined £10.00.

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 £100 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.

(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.

IMPORTANT NOTES TO SECRETARIES AND REFEREES

1. When playing at home, ensure that the Secretary of the visiting team and the appointed Official(s) are advised of the kick-off time, colours and the means of reaching the ground, at least FOUR clear days prior to the match.
2. DO NOT attempt to sign on players on the day of a Cup match except in the first round (See Cup Rule 5).
3. In the event of the scores being level at the expiration of normal playing time in any of the Cup Competitions, extra time of thirty minutes MUST be played (See Cup rule 7).
4. Result Sheets must be sent to the Registrations Secretary, to arrive by first post 5 days following all League and Cup (home and away) fixtures organised by this Competition, together with Registration Forms and/or photos as appropriate of any players signed on the day, which must be countersigned by an opposing club Official (see Rule 8B(2)).
5. The Results & Press Secretary will require the result of ALL matches home or away, goalscorers, or the fact that it was postponed or abandoned to be phoned through on the day of the match between the times of 3pm and 5pm. by the Secretary of both Clubs or, if playing away in the ECFA Cup Competitions against a Club from another League, by the Chelmsford Invitation League team.
6. If no Referee has been allocated for a fixture, it should be assumed that all reasonable efforts have been made by the Referee Appointments Secretary to obtain suitable cover. If this is the case, amicable arrangements should be made between the two competing Teams at the same time as confirming all other details of the forthcoming fixture. Registered Referees whose names are shown later in this Handbook and periodically updated by newsletter MUST NOT be contacted unless you have been authorised to do so by the Referees Secretary.
7. All Clubs should ensure that they provide an adequate first aid kit. Referees are requested to report any Club failing to make appropriate provision. All Clubs are strongly encouraged to have a qualified first-aider in attendance at all games.
8. Do not send cash through the post. All payments to the League should be made by cheque drawn against a Club account. Please ensure that you record details of all cheques issued, including the date drawn, date sent and cheque number. NEVER send any monies to the League unless requested to do so by way of an official invoice or letter.
9. Ensure that Referees are provided with a suitable match ball BEFORE leaving the dressing room, and they are paid their fee and expenses immediately after the game without them having to resort to requesting such payment. Important see Rules 10(B) and 13(E).
10. A Registration fee of £1 is payable for each player signed on. See Rule 8(F).
11. ALL telephone calls to Club and League Officials or Referees must be restricted to reasonable and sociable times of day. Clubs and Referees are requested to report any unreasonably late telephone calls to the League. Whilst the definition of "late" is your own personal choice, the League will support any complaints received where calls are made after 8:30 p.m. Please do not telephone any Club, League official or Referee at their place of employment unless they have personally authorised you to do so.
12. Markings of Referees. Please find at the rear of the handbook a Referee marking scheme, this is to be adopted when marking referees. Clubs giving a mark below 5 are to explain in writing to the League Referee Appointments Secretary the reason for the low mark.
13. Note Rule 14. All clubs to give their intentions to the League Secretary in writing of their intentions for the following season by 31st March
14. Teams not confirming the game by the Wednesday prior to the match, the referee allocated to your fixture may be allocated to another Match.

IF ANY CLUB SECRETARY, NEW OR ESTABLISHED, IS NOT SURE, AND/OR HAS A QUERY REGARDING ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RULES, OR NEEDS ADVICE, DO NOT HESITATE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A LEAGUE COMMITTEE MEMBER. THEY WILL BE ONLY TO WILLING TO ASSIST