Rule book
RULES
1. TITLE
An amalgamation of Clubs affiliated to the South Wales Football Association and admitting and accepting all its Rules and Regulations shall be called the Bridgend & District Football League. The league shall not consist of more than forty-four Clubs, which shall be divided into Divisions as deemed desirable at the Annual General Meeting held in June.
2. RADIUS
Its area shall be the Ogmore Valley, Llynfi Valley, Bridgend, Garw Valley, East to Llanharan and West to Cefn Cribwr. Special permission of the South Wales F.A. must be obtained before any other Club outside the defined area can enter the League.
3. AFFILIATION
All Clubs must be directly affiliated to the South Wales Football Association. Affiliation Fees and form ‘A’ together with a Balance Sheet must be sent to the: South Wales Football Association Hon. General Secretary, before the 31st July annually.
4. ENTRY FEE AND GUARANTEE FEE
The Annual Entry Fee shall be Senior Clubs £35 per team and Junior Clubs £17 per team such Fees will include all Cup Competitions. All teams shall pay a Guarantee fee. On entering the League all new teams shall pay a Guarantee Fee of £50. Fees to be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting.
Guarantee Fee to be forfeited at the end of the current season if a Club fails to complete its fixtures, or through misconduct. The Guarantee Fee will be forfeited if a fully completed Club Entry Form is not returned to the Honorary General Secretary by the 21st June each year prior to the A.G.M, and Clubs will cease to be members of the League. Forfeiture of Guarantee Fee shall not apply if in the opinion of the Management Committee the club is not at fault in not completing its fixtures. All fees to be paid on or before the 1st August. Failure to pay these fees will result in sides forfeiting their Guarantee Fees and the team will be required to seek fresh application for League Membership. All Clubs entering the League must take 1 League Handbook per team at £3 each. Further copies are available from the General Secretary, at the same cost. At the discretion of the Management Committee, a Club may be allowed to enter the League after the 21st June with a fine of £50.00 per CLUB
5. RETURN OF GUARANTEE FEE
Clubs withdrawing from the Membership at the commencement of the current season MUST make an application in writing before the start of the season for the return of the Guarantee Fee.
Otherwise the Fee will revert to the League Funds.
6. LEAGUE LEVY
All Senior Clubs shall pay a Levy of £35 per season of which £15 is payable prior to the
1st November and £20 is payable prior to the 1st February.
All Junior Clubs shall pay a League Levy of £14 per season of which £7 is payable prior to the 1st November and £7 is payable prior to the 1st February.
If the Financial Secretary receives these Levies in full before the 1st November they will be reduced to £33 and £13 respectively. Any club who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
7. MISCONDUCT
Any Club, Team or individual found guilty of serious misconduct or persistent infringement of League Rules will be dealt with by the Management committee, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
Any club who is in breach of the League Rules in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
8. FINES
All fines to be paid to the League Financial Secretary by the date stated in any correspondence. Failure to do so will lead to the fine being doubled. Any fine, which is doubled, must be paid within 7 days of notification by the League Financial Secretary, failure to do so could lead to the suspension of the club and the club being reported to the South Wales Football Association. The maximum fine to be imposed £150.
9. DISCIPLINARY HEARING
In the event of any Club, Player or Official called in front of a League Management Sub-Committee the following must be adhered to:
a) The League Management Committee must be informed in writing if any witnesses are to attend the hearing.
b) A maximum of two witnesses may be called.
c) The Club, Player or Official will then be informed in writing within 7 days of the League Management Committee decision.
d) If the Club, Player or Official is not satisfied with the decision of the League Management Committee then they may appeal to the South Wales Football Association in accordance with their Rule 36. The appeal must be within 10 days of receiving the League Management Committee decision accompanied with the required fee.
10. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
(a) The affairs of the league shall be conducted and controlled by a Management Committee to consist of: Patron, President, Vice Presidents and eight Officers namely:
Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. General Secretary, Hon. Financial Secretary,
Hon. Junior Registration Secretary, Hon Senior Registration Secretary, Hon. Fixture Secretary,
Hon. Press Officer, one Mini-Football representative and Six Members, three of which to represent Senior Clubs, and three to represent Junior Clubs with power to co-opt.
Six members to form a quorum with at least 3 Officers one of whom shall be the
Chairman or Hon. General Secretary. All Officers and Members shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Patron, President, Vice Presidents, Officers and Committee Members have the right to vote at any General or Annual Meeting.
(b) No Committee Member shall be present on any matter appertaining to his Club.
(c) Any Committee Member failing to attend 3 consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse shall be deemed to have resigned.
(d) No Referee shall be permitted to sit upon the Management Committee of any League or any other competition under whose jurisdiction he officiates (F.A.W Rule55).
(e) All Officers and Management Committee are entitled to vote at the A.G.M with the Chairperson having the casting vote.
11. ANNUAL OR GENERAL MEETINGS
(a) All Clubs in membership at the time shall attend the Annual General Meeting in June of each year. Each Club will be allowed 1 vote only. 5 Clubs to form a quorum.
(b) Clubs failing to send a representative to any of the League’s General Meetings will be fined £50. A written explanation of the non attendance will be required within 7 days.
Non-attendance at the Annual General Meeting will entail a fine of £50.
(c) Any Club failing to return their fully completed Entry Form by the 21st June of each year prior to the A.G.M will cease to be a member of the League and will be unable to attend the A.G.M
12. ACCESS TO GROUNDS
Any Member of the League Management Committee may have free access to any ground during the progress of any match played under the jurisdiction of the League.
13. ALTERATION OF RULES
No alterations or additions shall be made to these Rules except at the Annual General meeting or at a meeting specially convened for the purpose; the South Wales Football Association must sanction such alterations before they can become operative.
Any proposed Rule changes to be forwarded to each Club seven days before the meeting for such matters to be discussed. Any such alterations or additions shall not be deemed carried unless supported by at least two-thirds of the Representatives present.
Any Member Club desiring to put forward any Rule changes to be considered at the Annual General Meeting of the League shall do so in writing to reach the Hon. General Secretary of the League before the 1st May so that the League Management Committee can consider them prior to the Annual General Meeting.
14. LEAGUE FUNDS
The Funds of the League shall be lodged in a Bank/plc. The Honorary Financial Secretary shall present the Bank Pass Book and Cash Account when required by the Chairman or Management Committee. Not more than £20 in cash is to be retained by the Honorary Financial Secretary at any time to meet current expenses.
15. CLUB PARTICULARS
Each Club shall forward annually on a form provided to the Honorary General Secretary of the League a statement of its distinguishing Colours and alternative Colours with the Name and Address of its Club Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer also the locality of its Ground and Dressing Rooms.
A fully completed Club Entry form to be returned to the Honorary General Secretary by the 21st June each year prior to the A.G.M. Any Club failing to return their fully completed Club Entry form will be refused entry into the League, they will cease to be League members and will not be allowed to attend the A.G.M.
A Club once accepted into the League will not be allowed to change its Colours or Name without the consent of the South Wales Football Association.
No Club will be elected into the League unless it is registered with the South Wales Football Association as per Rule 3.
No team or goalkeeper shall wear a kit, which clashes with the referee. Where colours clash the Away team shall change its Colours.
Each Junior Club must have a qualified Welfare Officer.
An official involved with the organisation and operation of Junior Players must hold the Football Association of Wales Junior Leader Award and be in possession of their Leaders certificate. They must have been Criminal Record Bureau checked.
16. CHANGE OF CLUB SECRETARY
In the event of a Club appointing a new Secretary the Club will be responsible for notifying all Clubs in the Divisions that it plays, the League Secretary and the Secretary of The South Wales Football Association within two days of this change. For violation of this Rule the Club will be fined £5 and also dealt with by the aforementioned Football Association.
17. NON AFFILIATED CLUB
No Club in membership of this League shall play matches with any other Club who are not affiliated to some recognised Football Association. Special permission must be obtained from The South Wales Football Association to play matches with organisations of other Countries. Any club who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
18. FRIENDLY MATCHES.
No such games will be played without permission of the League. The requests are for all friendly matches and to play matches outside the South Wales F.A. area. Written request must be made to The South Wales Football Association, with a copy to the League Secretary at least 28 days prior to the game. Friendly matches played outside the League Season do not require League permission but do require Association approval. Any club who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
19. DRESSING ROOMS & GROUNDS
Clubs in all Divisions must provide suitable Dressing and Washing facilities for visiting Teams and separate facilities for the Referee. Such facilities to be approved by the Management Committee of the League.
In all Divisions of this League grounds must be marked out clearly together with Goal Nets, Corner flags of a semi-rigid plastic material designed to bend and not snap, and having a minimum height above ground level of 5 feet surmounted by a flag, are to be provided.
Failure to Comply entails a fine of £3 being imposed.
Referees MUST report all Clubs failing to carry out this Rule.
20. SIZE OF FOOTBALLS
In the Under 12 Division of this League a size 4 football will be used and in all other Divisions a size 5 football will be used.
21. MISREPRESENTATION OF NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Any Club applying for Admission to this League and misrepresenting its numbers of Players shall be dealt with, as the Management Committee feels fit.
22. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
The respective Hon. Registration Secretaries shall have the power to accept the Registration of players.
The following procedure for Registering Players is to be strictly followed:
22.
SENIOR PLAYERS
a) The player in the presence of the club secretary must complete his personal details in the boxes provided on the registration form (adult non-contract registration form J3). The box stating nationality must not be completed as British.
If born in Wales then Wales must be entered. These details must be accurate and include the players full name and date of birth. The names of all leagues and clubs adult teams compete in must be filled out in the boxes provided, with the name of the clubs senior team league detailed in the first box, the name of the clubs reserve team league in the second box, and the name of the clubs third team league in the third box. If a club does not have a reserve or third team, then these boxes must be crossed out.
The player must sign in the box alongside the name of each league detailed on the form in order to confirm his consent to register in the respective leagues. The registration form must be dated by the player in the box situated under his signature.The club secretary must then complete his personal details in the boxes provided. The club secretary must then sign and date the registration form on behalf of the club, and confirm everything is in order.To complete the registration process the club secretary must send, within five working days of the player completing and signing the registration form, the top copy only of the completed form to the registration secretary.
b) On receipt of the completed registration form , the Hon General Secretary will complete the registration process. Confirmation of the registration of the player(s) will be sent to the club by the league registration secretary. The confirmation will include the players registration number. When the club is in receipt of this information the player is eligible to play for the club.
c) The registration forms of all players must be received by the senior registration secretary by 17.00 hours on the day prior to the match, excluding Saturdays and Sundays to allow the player to participate in that fixture. For cup games, the seven day rule will apply. Any registration made on a Saturday or a Sunday, is valid from the Tuesday.
(d) A charge of £1 will be made for each Registration.
(e) No player shall be permitted to be registered at the same time for more than One Saturday Club and/or more than one Sunday Club.
(f) All clubs must register at least 11 players 7 days prior to the start of the season. Clubs failing to do so will be fined £25.
(g) The League Management Committee reserves the right to accept or cancel a player’s registration at any time.
N.B This refers to all non-contracted players. The registration of a player on a Saturday is the prior responsibility of the club with whom the player first registers and the second club must obtain permission of the first club to register that player. No Registrations (Senior or Junior) will be accepted after the third Thursday in March.
23. JUNIOR PLAYERS
All Players in the Junior Divisions must be under the prescribed Age Group on September 1st of the current season. Birth Certificates may be required for sight by the Honorary General Secretary of the League. Player’s identification Cards as issued by The South Wales F.A. must be produced at each match for inspection by the opposing team.
Clubs failing to produce Registration Cards will be fined £10.
A Player may take part in “Adult” football upon reaching his sixteenth birthday. He may only sign for one Club until the end of the season in which he reaches his sixteenth birthday.
All Teams must register at least 11 players 7 days prior to the start of the season. Clubs failing to do so will be fined £25.
PLAYERS RE-REGISTERING WITH THE SAME CLUB
(a) The full Christian and Surname of the player together with the player’s S.W.F.A Registration Number and Date of Birth must be entered on S.W.F.A. form RR1 and signed by the player. The RR1 Form signed by the Club Secretary, together will all the Registration Cards duly signed by the players entered on the form and signed by the club secretary is then to be forwarded to the Hon. Junior Registration Secretary.
(b) The Hon. Junior Registration Secretary will sign each Registration Card to validate same for the coming season and return the Card to the Players Club, only then is the player eligible to play AND NOT BEFORE.
PLAYERS REGISTRERING WITH A DIFFERENT CLUB
(i) The full Christian and Surname of the player together with the player’s S.W.F.A Registration Number and Date of Birth must be entered on S.W.F.A. Form RR2 and signed by the Player. The RR2 Form, signed by the Club Secretary, together with all the Registration Cards, which must be recovered from the Players former Club(s) and duly signed by both Player and Club Secretary, must be forwarded to the Hon. Junior Registration Secretary.
(j) The Hon. Junior Registration Secretary will sign each Registration Card to validate same for the coming season and return the Card to the Players Club, only then is the player eligible to play AND NOT BEFORE.
PLAYERS REGISTRERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
S.W.F.A Registration Form R1 must be completed in full and signed by the Player and Club Secretary. This Form must be accompanied with evidence of the Players Date of Birth. The Club wishing to sign the Player must complete a Registration Card as supplied by the S.W.F.A with Passport type photograph affixed and signed by the Player. Temporary cards will be issued in the interim period.
N.B. A Junior Players Registration Card is not valid until the photograph has been embossed. After a team has played one League match the Hon. Junior Registration Secretary is empowered to accept Special Registrations up until 7.30 p.m on the day prior to the match for all the different types of Registrations mentioned in the previous paragraphs at the cost of £1 per Registration. All Special Registrations are by personal application only, to enable a Registration Card to be available to comply with League Rule 23.
Registrations made less than 3 clear days before the date of a match will be classified as Special Registrations.
A charge of 50p will be made in respect of all Registrations with an additional charge of £2 in respect a Special Registrations.
A Player who is under 16 years of age at the commencement of the Season (September 1st) is not permitted to sign for more than one Club.
A Registered Under 16 Player must not play for a Club outside Wales.
No girls are permitted to play mixed football at eleven a-side football.
24. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
Should any doubt arise to the eligibility of any Player the Honorary Registration Secretary shall give such information as is necessary on the payment of a sum of £1 for each named player concerned. All applications must be in writing and accompanied by the fee.
25. DISBANDED CLUBS
Clubs shall not withdraw from membership of this League without due notice of such intention being given to the Honorary General Secretary before the 1st January prior to the end of the season in May, at which time they will terminate membership. Clubs failing to meet this requirement will forfeit its Guarantee Fees and in addition be fined the sum of £75.
The players of the Club, or relevant Age Group, shall be eligible to play for another Club subject to the disbanded Club having fulfilled their financial obligation to the disbanded Club or Age Group.
SWFA approval is required for all Junior Registrations as appropriate.
Points gained by a Disbanded, Suspended or Withdrawn Team in the current season, including those of all teams having played the Disbanded, Suspended or Withdrawn Teams will be deducted from the League Records.
Points and goals gained from teams in full League Membership at the end of the season will be reckoned to determine final league positions.
26. INELIGIBLE PLAYERS (For non Registered or suspended players)
When a club has been proven to play an ineligible player or players the following action will be taken: -
a. When the winning Club plays an ineligible player:
1. Three points shall be deducted from their total of points.
2. The goals scored by the winning Club shall be disallowed.
3. The 3 points shall be awarded to the losing team.
b. When the losing team plays an ineligible player:
1. The goals scored by the losing side will be disallowed.
c. In drawn matches where one Club plays an ineligible player:
1. The defaulting Club shall have 1 point deducted from its total and the goals scored by them disallowed.
2. Two points shall be awarded to the opponents.
In each case the defaulting Clubs shall be fined a sum of £40 (senior), £20 (junior), per player. For a second or subsequent offence the fine shall be doubled and the Club will be liable to expulsion.
In each case the Club and Player shall be reported to The South Wales Football Association.
27. TRANSFER OF PLAYERS
A bona-fide Registered Player may transfer from one club to another in this League providing permission has been obtained from the club he is registered with.
(a) A player must obtain permission from his present club and obtain a Transfer Registration Form, as supplied by the League for Senior or Form T1 as supplied by The South Wales Football Association for Junior Players from either his present Club or the Club he wishes to transfer to.
(b) The player, in the presence of the signing club secretary, must complete his personal details in the boxes provided on the transfer form. These details must be accurate and include the players full name and date of birth. The player must then complete the declaration, by detailing in the spaces provided, the name of his previous club, and the club to which he desires to be transferred to.The player must then sign and date the transfer form in the boxes provided.The club secretary of the signing club must complete the relevant section of the transfer form. If all is in order, he must then sign and date the form, then forward the complete form to the secretary of the players previous club, must check the details provided by the player to ensure they are correct, then complete their section of the form by filling in the details requested. The previous club secretary will then forward the top and middle copies of the completed forms back to the club secretary of the signing club, and retain the bottom copy for his club records.
© To complete the transfer process, the club secretary of the signing club must send the top copy of the completed transfer form to the Hon, Registration Secretary, together with the Fee of £10.00 for senior Players and £2 for junior Players ( INTERNAL TRANSFERS ONLY)
No Junior Players will be allowed to transfer after 1st January unless special permission is obtained from The South Wales Football Association.
(d) The Hon, Registration Secretary will complete the document and notify the signing club secretary on completion of the transfer.
(e) When this portion has been received by the players new Club from the Honorary Registration Secretary then the player is eligible to play for his new club AND NOT BEFORE.
TRANSFER OF PLAYERS
Any club found guilty of inducing or attempting to induce a bona-fide Player or Players of another League Club to join their Club shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be liable to expulsion.
NO TRANSFERS SHALL BE GRANTED AFTER THE 3rd THURSDAY OF MARCH IN EACH SEASON. A PLAYER APPROACHED BETWEEN THE THIRTY FIRST (31ST) MARCH AND THIRTIETH (30TH) MAY INCLUSIVE SHALL NOT PLAY FOR THE CLUB MAKING THE APPROACH IN COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL IN THE CURRENT SEASON.
(f) International Transfers must comply with F.A.W. instructions.
28. FIXTURES
(a) Fixtures as arranged by the Honorary Fixture Secretary will be listed monthly together with the Referees as appointed by the Honorary Fixture Secretary. These lists will be issued per month one to each Club and one to each Referee.
All matches as listed or arranged must be played. In the event of an appointed referee failing to appear or no referee allocated a referee will be appointed by both Clubs.
All matches as listed or arranged must be played.
Home club to confirm match arrangements to the away club and referee at least five days prior to the match. Away club and referee to confirm receipt of arrangements at least three days prior to the match
In addition, other matches mutually arranged must be sanctioned by the League and will be deemed Official League fixtures which must be played as arranged.
Each Team may request 2 open dates for its teams which must be requested at least 1 month in advance of the date required in writing to the Honorary General Secretary.
No application for free dates will be accepted after 1st March in each season.
All other matches will be expected to be honoured as per Fixture List.
(b) A Club with 3 Players (or 2 Players 1 of whom must be the Goalkeeper) selected for a Regional or National Representative match may with permission of the Honorary General Secretary postpone its match.
29. KICK OFF TIMES
a. Normal Kick off times are as follows:
Up to 15 years at 11.00 a.m.
Afternoon League matches will Kick-off at 2.30 p.m. throughout the season.
Midweek and holiday fixtures kick off by mutual consent.
Afternoon knockout Cup matches throughout the season will kick off at 2.00 p.m.
b. Either Club found guilty of delaying the start, shall be reported by the Referee and fined £5 for the first five minutes and one pound per minute after..
c. Kick Off times may be varied with the sanction of the Honorary General Secretary.
30. MATCH DAYS
All matches shall be played on Saturdays or on Weekdays as authorised by the League Management Committee. League matches authorised for Saturdays may take place on Sundays with the written agreement of both Clubs. Failing this written agreement then the match will take place on the Saturday.
All Junior Fixtures to commence no later than the Saturday following the start of the School Term in September.
31. TEAM SHEETS
Each Club (Senior & Juniors) MUST submit a copy of their Match Team Sheet including names and registration numbers of the players to the REFEREE and OPPOSING CLUB SECRETARY / OFFICIAL at least 30 minutes prior to commencing their game. Failure to observe the Rule will result in a fine of £5 being imposed, which will increase by a further £5 for every subsequent offence.
32. DURATION OF MATCHES
The Duration of matches shall be as follows:
Under 12/13 30 minutes each way.
Under 14-15 35 minutes each way
Under 16-17-18 40 minutes each way.
Seniors 45 minutes each way.
33. UNCOMPLETED MATCHES
Any match not completed may be ordered to stand as a completed match or replayed as the League Management Committee may direct.
34. POSTPONED MATCHES
No Club shall be allowed to postpone any match once arranged by the Honorary Fixture Secretary unless it is to play a Football Association of Wales, a South Wales Football Association Cup Tie or a League Cup Tie.
Permission to postpone a League fixture may be obtained from the League Management Committee or on their behalf from the Honorary General Secretary.
All matches postponed with the authority of the League Management Committee or due to the ground being unfit can be re-arranged by the agreement of both Clubs with the consent of the Honorary General Secretary and the League Management Committee.
Any team failing to fulfil its League fixtures without a reasonable excuse will be fined; £20 (Seniors) or £10 (Juniors) for the first offence and subsequently £40 (Seniors) or £20 (Juniors) for the second offence.
Teams committing a third or subsequent offence shall be dealt with by the League Management Committee as they deem fit and may be liable to expulsion from the League. If a Senior Club has a team in both the Premier and Division One and is unable to field teams to complete its fixtures on a particular day the Premier Division fixture will take priority if any fixture is played.
Points up to a maximum of 3 will be deducted at the discretion of the League Management Committee for each offence.
35. GROUND CONDITIONS
Whatever the state of the weather teams MUST proceed to the venue of the game and await the decision of the Referee on the fitness of the ground, unless previously informed of the unfitness of the ground by the Local Authority. If the home club has any doubts regarding the fitness of the ground they must call in a Registered Referee to make an inspection if the match Referee is not available, if he deems the ground to be unfit he will be asked to sign a League Team Sheet to that effect.
If on arrival however, the match Referee decides that the field is not fit to play the Home Club must pay the Referee his half fee.
In the event of the appointed Referee failing to appear a substitute Referee will be appointed by a mutual agreement in writing prior to the commencement of the game by both Captains or Club Officials (Senior) or Club Officials (Juniors).
The Referee shall be the sole arbiter as to the state of the ground and conditions.
36. OTHER POSTPONEMENT OF MATCHES
In the case of any match being postponed for any other reason other than ground fitness the HOME CLUB MUST immediately advise the Honorary General Secretary of the League in writing. Clubs failing to carry out this Rule will be fined a sum not exceeding £3.
The provisions of Rule 38 must still be followed.
37. RESULT OF MATCHES (to be read in conjunction with League Rule 39).
(a) The Secretary of both Teams must forward the result of their matches and a list of players who took part in the game in time to reach the Honorary Registration Secretary of the League within 3 days of the match (excluding Sundays). If in default a fine of £5 will be imposed (Senior & Junior). Players Christian and Surnames must be quoted.
Payment of fine does not absolve Clubs from eventually forwarding a Result Sheet. Clubs who have not submitted Team sheets within 10 days of the match (Excluding Sundays) will be fined a further £10, this fine being increasing by a further £5 for each 7 days delay.
(b) A Club found to complete a Team Sheet incorrectly will be fined £10. Only the Club Secretary/Official is eligible to sign the Team Sheet.
(c) Any alterations made to the team sheet must be signed by the Referee on the day, if in default a fine of £10 will be imposed.
(d) Any club who is in persistent (3 times) breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
38. TELEPHONE RESULT OF MATCHES
The Result of Saturday matches must be telephoned to the Press Officer as follows:
Under 12 and Under 14 Teams by 1.30 p.m. on the day of the match by the Club playing Home. Under 16 and Senior Teams by 5.00 p.m. on the day of the match by the Club playing Home.
Failure to do so will mean a fine of £10 being imposed.
Evening fixtures results to be telephoned to the Press Officer by 9.30 p.m at the latest.
The Press Officer MUST also be advised of matches postponed for any reason on the day that they are due to be played.
Senior & Junior teams involved in S.W.F.A Cup competitions must telephone in their results playing home or away. Any club who is in persistent (3 times) breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
39. PLAYERS REGISTRATION NUMBER
All clubs must insert the Registration Number of each player together with the Full Christian name and Surname. Senior – League Registration Number. Junior – SWFA Registered number, Failure to carry out the aforesaid will entail a Fine of £10.
40. CHAMPION CLUB
At the end of the playing season the Club with the highest number of points in each division shall be declared Champions of that division, the team with the next highest number of points will be declared as Runners-up in that Division.
In Senior Divisions: In the event of two or more Clubs being equal on points, the position in the League table shall be decided on Goal Difference, total goals for minus goals against, if the teams are still equal the team scoring the greater number of goals shall be placed highest in the League Table.
In the Junior Divisions:
Goal difference will not be taken into account, if two or more teams, in the Champions or Runners-up position, are equal on points at the end of the season then a play-off match, or matches, will take place to decide the Champions or Runners-up in that Division.
41. PROMOTION/RELEGATION
At the finish of the season the bottom two Clubs will be relegated provided Clubs in Division One can be promoted in accordance with Rule 42 (a) and the relegation/promotion within the higher Leagues does not cause an unbalance in the Leagues.
If either of the Teams cannot be promoted due to Rule 42 (a) then the next two placed eligible Teams MAY be promoted.
42. SENIOR CLUBS
(a) A Club may not have more than ONE team in each of the Senior Divisions.
(b) A Club that has a team in each of the Senior Divisions MUST play their strongest side in the highest Division they compete in.
Clubs in breach of this Rule will be severely dealt with by the League Management Committee.
(c) Players are registered to a Club. Players will be permitted to play in either of that Club’s Senior Teams league matches, provided it is done in accordance with (b).
43. TROPHIES
When the Winning Clubs with Runners Up are ascertained in the respective Divisions plus the Open and other Cup Competitions mementoes may be awarded with the value of the same to be determined by the Management Committee. Providing all Divisions comprise of not less than 6 Clubs at the termination of the current season.
All Trophies, which are the property of this League, must be returned to the Honorary League Secretary on his request in good condition by the 31st March in every playing season. If the trophies are returned damaged or in a poor condition which have to be replaced, or cleaned, the club responsible will be charged for any work carried out.
If any Trophies are presented before the Presentation Night in each season they must be brought to the presentation Night to be on display and to be re-presented on that evening. The League will engrave all Trophies.
44. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES
The League Management committee shall have the power to arrange special matches, subject to the consent of the South Wales Football Association. Proceeds less expenses to go into League Funds.
All Member Clubs of this League shall be bound to place their Players at the disposal of the League.
In all matches representing the League the 11 Players and reserves shall be chosen by the League Management Committee.
All Players selected by this League to play in any match failing or refusing to play shall in the absence of any good and sufficient cause be guilty of misconduct.
Any Club, which shall be found to have encouraged or instigated such conduct on the part of the Player or Players, shall be deemed guilty of misconduct.
45. REFEREES
All referees must be registered with The South Wales Football Association before the 30th June annually. (Referees cannot be given appointments in this League until they have registered with The South Wales Football Association). Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed by the Honorary Fixture Secretary.
46. REFEREES DUTIES
All appointed Referees must in the event of their not being able to officiate acquaint the Honorary Fixture Secretary, who shall have the power to appoint a substitute.
The League Management Committee shall deal with any Referee failing to give sufficient notice.
No Referee shall appoint a substitute.
Referees who cancel an appointment to referee in another match, without the consent of the Hon. General Secretary, will be reported to the Area Association.
All Referees shall be provided with a Rule Book on receipt of their registration form.
47. POSTPONED MATCHES
Should a game not be played and the Referee travels, the referee shall be paid £11 for Senior Matches and $8 and £6 for Junior Matches.
Referees who fail to turn up for their appointed fixture will be fined at the discretion of the League Management Committee the sum of money equal to the Match Fee.
REFEREES FEES
The League Management Committee reserves the right to appoint neutral Linesmen when necessary who must be Registered Referees.
If Linesmen are appointed they shall be paid half Referees Fee by the Home Club
Referees Fees, including travelling expenses will be as follows:
Senior Divisions: £22. £11 to be paid by each Team.
Junior Divisions, Not including Under 16 Division: £14 7# to be paid by each team,#16 for under 16 # 8 to be paid by each team.
Referees are to be paid before the game.
48. MISCONDUCT
The Match Official must report all reports of misconduct by players, spectators or officials to the South Wales Football Association, if present.
49. SPORTSMANSHIP
In order that the League’s competitions shall be carried out in a fair and sportsmanlike manner the League Management Committee as instructed by The South Wales Football Association, has empowered Referees in all League matches and Cup rounds to put down the slightest attempt at rough play or intimidation.
51. SUBSTITUTES
(a) In Senior Divisions three Substitutes shall be allowed during a game from seven nominated.
(b) In Under 16, under 14 under 12 Divisions five Substitutes will be allowed from Seven nominated.
(c) Failure to present these names in both Junior and Senior games in writing to the Referee in the dressing room before the start of the match WILL PREVENT Substitutes taking any part in the game.
(d) All Referees will indicate if a substitute plays in a match for which they are nominated by indicating in the box provided and the Referee will sign by the name of the substitute that took part in the game, on the Team Sheet. Clubs found guilty of falsifying this information will be dealt with by the League Management Committee.
Any club who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
52. MANAGEMENT & OFFICIAL CONTACT
Telephone calls Must Not be made to League officials after 8 pm, Mondays to Saturdays and not at all on Sundays. Any general queries or specific queries with regard to League decisions must be addressed to the General Secretary; Anyone who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
The homes of League Officials shall not be visited by club officials or players, and all forms, correspondence, fees etc, MUST be forwarded by post to reach the appropriate League Official by the due date, any infringement of this rule the individual may be fined, suspended or banned sine die as deemed fit by the Management Committee, Anyone who is in breach of this Rule in anyway whatsoever, shall be liable to any Suspension or other penalty or both as to the Management Committee may seem fit.
53. POWERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Management Committee shall have the jurisdiction over all matters, whether specially provided for in the rules or not. They shall have the power to form any Sub-Committee they may consider necessary and may delegate all or any of their powers to such Sub-Committee. A quorum of any Sub-Committee shall be the General Secretary and/or Chairman plus three other members of the Committee. In the event of the voting being equal, the Chairman of such meeting shall have the casting vote; The Management Committee shall meet every month.
54. SUSPENDED CLUBS
Any Club suspended for any reason whatsoever, must produce in writing to the Hon. General Secretary by Thursday 20.00hrs confirmation that their suspension has been lifted. Failure to do so will result in the Club failing to fulfil its League fixtures and will be fined; £30 (Seniors) or £20 (Juniors) for the first offence and subsequently £60 (Seniors) or £40 (Juniors) for the second offence. Points up to a maximum of 3 will be deducted for a League match and a Cup Match will forfeit the tie
55. HONORARY GENERAL SECRETARY
The delegation of certain work to the Officers of the League in these Rules does not prevent the Honorary General Secretary from carrying out any or all such duties if in his opinion it would benefit this League.
The Hon. General Secretary is granted plenary powers to make decisions on behalf of the Management Committee outside committee meetings, and in his absence, his nominated deputy will assume those powers.
56 PROTESTS
All protests, claims and complaints shall be heard and determined by the League Management Committee.
Clubs protesting or complaining must be lodged with the Honorary General Secretary of the League no later than 3 days (excluding Sundays) of the date of the match to which they refer and must be accompanied by a fee of £20 for Senior and Junior Divisions.
If the Protest or Claim is not upheld the fee may be forfeited to League Funds.
A copy of the protest must be sent to the opposing Club at the same time as to the Honorary General Secretary.
The Management Committee shall have the power to order the complaining Club to pay such expenses of the Club they protested against as they deem fit.
All protests regarding the Ground must be lodged with the Referee before the match (unless unforeseen causes should afterwards arise during the progress of the game), when a protest may be lodged in the usual way and decided upon by the League Management Committee.
57. APPEALS
Any Club dissatisfied with the decision of the League Management Committee has the right to appeal to the South Wales Football Association in accordance with their Rule 36.
58. OTHER MATTERS
Any other matters not provided for in these Rules shall be dealt with as the League Management Committee May deem fit.
59. LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE EXPENSES
Members of the League Management committee will be allowed 15p per mile travelling expenses when attending Management Meetings or other League business payable at the end of the season.
60. GUEST TEAMS
a) Teams from other league areas will be accepted into this league provided that they have written authority from their Parent League and play their recognised senior team with their Parent League.
b) Guest teams subsequently gaining promotion to the Premier Division do so on the understanding that they will be unable to gain further promotion to higher leagues, via the Pyramid system, through this League.
c) Clubs wishing to play in other leagues must firstly fulfil their obligations to this league, obtain the written authority of this league, and must field their recognised strongest team in this league.
d) Failure to comply with any of the above conditions will lead to an immediate removal of this authority.
61. MINI FOOTBALL
The mini-football committee is responsible for the day to day running of small-sided football within the SWFA guidelines and the Rules of the Bridgend League Management Committee. Failure to comply will result in their being summoned to appear before the Management Committee.
62. MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
Any member club wishing to put forward a motion of no confidence in any officer in the league, MUST adhere to the following procedure.
a)The letter putting forward the motion of no confidence, must be signed by that clubs general secretary, and must be sent to the General Secretary of the league.(In the event of the General Secretary being the subject of the vote of no confidence, the letter should be sent to the Chairman of the league)
b) A full list of reasons/complaints which initiated the motion of no confidence must be included in the letter in detail.
c) An absolute majority of clubs, in membership of the league, must support the motion of no confidence, and the names of the clubs and the signature of the General Secretary must be appended in the letter.
d)When the letter, completed in the above manner is received, a special general meeting of all the member clubs will be called to allow a debate on the motion
CUP & SHIELD COMPETITION RULES
SENIOR/JUNIOR
C1. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS.
All players must have registered for their Club at least 7 days before the date of the Round.
Players are only to be eligible in Semi-Finals of Cup/Shield Competitions if they have actually played either as a player or Substitute in at least 5 previous Cup or League matches for that team in the Bridgend & District League in that season.
No Player shall play for more than 1 competing team in a competition during the current season.
Any player who has played in any Cup competition at a higher level within the pyramid system, in the current season will not be allowed to play in any League Cup competitions.
C2. COMPETITIONS.
(a) There shall be three Senior Cup Competitions namely:
The Celtic Tyres Premier Division Cup to be competed for by Premier Division Clubs on a basis to be decided each season.
The Division One Morris Cup to be competed for by First Division Clubs on the basis to be decided each season.
The W.T John Memorial Challenge Shield which shall be played on a Knockout basis and shall be competed for by all Senior teams, when a player has played in this competition he cannot then play for any other team in the competition.
A player may only play in either the Premier Division Group Cups (Celtic Tyres and Premier Challenge Cups) or the Division One Morris Cup. After playing in any of these competitions he will be cup-tied for any other Divisional Cup Competition.
(b) There shall be various Junior Cup Competitions played on a basis to be decided each season.
Any Player having played for 1 team cannot play for any other team in that competition.
(c) The Chairman’s 6 a-side Tournament shall be competed for by all senior Clubs. No player may play for more than one Club in this competition.
(d) Any Club found guilty of playing an ineligible player in a Cup Match will forfeit the tie.
C3. DURATION OF MATCHES.
The duration of matches shall be:
Under 12 years 30 minutes each way
Under 14 years 35 minutes each way
Under 16 years 40 minutes each way
Seniors 45 minutes each way
In the event of a draw at the end of normal time, extra time must be played. Senior Competitions, two halves of 15 minutes each. Under 16, Under 14 and Under 12 two halves of 10 minutes each.
If the scores are level after the conclusion of extra time then a series of penalty kicks, in accordance with Football Association of Wales Rules will be taken to determine the winner.
In Finals extra time will be played in all competitions but penalty kicks will only be taken at Senior and Under 16 level. At under 14 and Under 12 levels, if the scores are level at the end of extra time the Trophy will be shared, with each club holding the trophy for six months.
C4. POSTPHONED MATCHES.
All postponed matches will be re-arranged by the League.
C5. NEUTRAL GROUNDS.
Where semi-finals are played on neutral grounds the match costs, including Officials and Ground Hire, will be shared equally by the two competing teams.
C6. QUALIFICATION.
All questions of qualification of competing or interpretation of Rules shall be referred to the League Management Committee.
See also League Rules 23-26-28-56-43-48-51
C7. CUP DRAWS.
Dates for Cup Competition Draws to be circulated to all Clubs who can attend each round of the draw should they so desire.
SIX-A- SIDE COMPETITIONS RULES
S1. NUMBER OF PLAYERS.
Eight Players may be nominated by a Club to take part in the competition.
Six of who will play and the two will act as Substitute.
Rolling substitutes can be used.
S2. METHOD OF SCORING.
(a) In matches played in Group Competitions 3 points shall be awarded to the team scoring more goals or 1 point to each team if they finish equal on goals.
After all Group matches if 2 or more teams have equal points the winners will be determined by Goal difference, then Goals scored, failing which teams concerned will contest a play-off.
(b) In Knockout matches teams equal on Goals at full time will play 3 minutes each way extra time followed by Penalty kicks in accordance with Football Association of Wales Rules if necessary to determine the winners.
S4. OFFSIDE.
There will be no Offside.
S5. CORNER KICKS.
Corner Kicks will be taken.
S6. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS.
All Players MUST be registered with the Bridgend & District Association Football League in accordance with League Rule 22.
S7. NAMES OF PLAYERS.
Names of Players taking part in the Competition must be handed to the League Official in attendance on the form provided.
HINTS TO SECRETARIES
· Make yourself conversant with the Rules of the League & Association
· Reply to all communications the same day as received. It has to be done only once. The name of your Club and your address should be given on all communications. Clubs are advised to obtain printed notepaper and state under their name that they are (Affiliated to The South Wales Football Association).
· Attend all meetings to which you are summoned, or arrange for your Club to be represented.
· Study the rules of all Competitions in which your Club is interested and see that they are complied with, as all Clubs are held responsible for their proper observance.
· Be sure all your players are duly qualified. Failure to comply with the rules in this respect may mean losing a Championship.
· If you need to contact the any Management Committee urgently please telephone before 9.00 p.m, please avoid contacting on a Sunday.
· Use all means in your power to stop players using bad language, or addressing observations to or at the Referee’s.
· A Club is responsible for the conduct of spectators at its own ground.
· A Club’s duty to protect the officials does not cease on the latter leaving the ground.
· Do all you can for the good of the game.
· The suspension of a player or official means that he is ineligible to take part in Football or Football management of any kind.
· A Club must be registered with the SWFA before 31st July, for its name to appear in Printed List. When applying for Affiliation you must complete Form provided for this purpose and which will be obtained from your League Secretary or association Secretary. A Balance Sheet must be forwarded with the application.
· A Club must be registered with the League by the 21st June.
· Each Junior Club must have a Welfare Officer.