In general, the status of a League dictates the number of rules governing its operation. You will therefore probably find that there are more rules to consider than in your previous League. It’s a good idea to give each Member of your Committee a copy of the League & Cup Rules so that they can all become familiar with the rules which govern their particular roles within your own Club. You are also reminded that pleading ignorance of any particular rule is no defence when a rule is broken and offers no protection against the imposing of fines.
The following details may therefore be useful in helping you to avoid some of the common pitfalls.
STUDY LEAGUE HANDBOOK on the Web Site
When it comes to avoiding fines there is no substitute for becoming familiar with the League & Cup Rules & Regulations relating to Clubs. But some of the following reminders and tips may assist in giving your Club a successful and trouble-free start.
WILLING HELPERS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT
Clubs which attempt to operate with only one or two people shouldering the administrative burden frequently find themselves in trouble and facing regular fines. To run a Club successfully in this League there has to be a strong Committee Structure so that fund-raising and administration can be shared. It should be each Club’s aim to have at least six people as a working committee with nobody asked to take on more than one official role.
FAIR PLAY AWARDS
The League has introduced special awards in an effort to reduce cautions, dismissals and FA charges and hopefully to generally improve discipline on and off the field of play. The number of yellow and red cards as well as the number of FA charges issued and proved to a Club’s players and Management team is the basis of deciding which Clubs are rewarded at the end of the season with an award for each Division.
ADMINISTRATION AWARDS
All teams which go through the season without incurring a sanction regardig a breach of League Rules will receive an Administration Award.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
*) Send at least ONE CLUB REPRESENTATIVE to EVERY General Meeting of the League.
*) Pay all fees and fines which are due to the League PROMPTLY and within the time limit stipulated for payment.
*) Keep up-to-date RECORDS and ACCOUNTS for your Club. These can be inspected at any time by League Officials.
*) Playing areas of grounds must be surrounded by a PERMANENT or TEMPORARY BARRIER according to League Rules governing the Division in which you compete.
*) Contact Match Officials at LEAST FIVE DAYS prior to every home game giving details of the match arrangements.
*) Contact the visiting Club to confirm the game giving details of your CLUB COLOURS and TIME OF KICK OFF at LEAST FIVE DAYS prior to every home game giving details of the match arrangements.
*) Give the visiting Club’s Secretary the NAMES OF MATCH OFFICIALS prior to kick-off in case these have been changed.
*) The DRESSING ROOM accommodation must be clean and adequate for both teams and the Match Officials. See League Rules for further guidance.
*) Fill in the TEAM SHEET at least fifteen minutes before the kick off. The sheet must contain FULL NAMES of all players and substitutes. Copies of the TEAM SHEET containing the FULL NAMES of players and substitutes MUST be exchanged by both TEAMS 15 minutes prior to kick-off and a copy MUST be given to the Match Referee.
*) All matches must KICK OFF PROMPTLY. Late starts are punishable by fines levied on offending Clubs.
*) At HALF TIME the Match Officials must be offered liquid refreshments by the home Club.
*) At FULL TIME the home Club must TELEPHONE OR TEXT THE RESULT to the League Official named in the Handbook. The caller must give the result, FULL NAMES of goal-scorers (and times of goals). Results must be phoned in BEFORE 5-00pm – SATURDAYS and BEFORE 9-30pm – MIDWEEK.
Within 56 hours of the end of the match both teams must complete the on line match return on the League web site.
The official MATCH RESULT SHEET, fully completed, must reach the Registration Secretary of the League WITHIN FOUR DAYS of the date of the match. This sheet must contain FULL NAMES of all players and substitutes. The KICK-OFF TIME, RESULT,GOALSCORERS, PLAYED SUBSTITUTES,CAUTIONS,DISMISSALS,MATCH OFFICIALS FEES AND EXPENSES MUST BE SHOWN.
The ASSESSMENT MARK for the MATCH OFFICIAL must also be completed.
Referees are assessed by Clubs on a scale of 1 to 100. Clubs are expected to be as fair as possible in their marking assessment. Guides should be studied and adhered to. If a low marking is awarded (see assessment guide) then the result sheet must be accompanied by a SHORT REPORT explaining the reasons for the award of a low mark.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
All new Clubs are on PROBATION and their conduct and attention to administration will be monitored closely.
If, for any reason, your Club is summoned to appear before the Management Committee it must be represented by a conversant member of your Committee.
The League must be informed immediately of RESULTS, CUP DRAWS and REPLAYS involving your Club in other competitions such as COUNTY CUP COMPETITIONS since League fixtures may have to be amended.
Beware of playing SUSPENDED or UNREGISTERED players. If in any doubt check it out on the League web site. Don’t rely on the player concerned! He may, for example, be already registered with another Northern Football Alliance Club.
When registering a player make sure that the on line registration form is FULLY COMPLETED. Incomplete forms will not be accepted by the player registration programme and therefore delay the registration of the player or players concerned. The Player and the Club will receive am email confirming the player’s registration.
Always remember – ADVICE & ASSISTANCE are readily available Names, addresses and telephone numbers of League Officials are in the Handbook. Your first contact may be the Representative for your Division who is on the Management Committee.
DON’T BE CAUGHT OUT!
In less than four years time it is possible that some of our new Clubs could become eligible for promotion to the Premier Division. If your Club has this sort of ambition then your Officials should consider the implications AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Stepping up a division in the Northern Football Alliance League requires Clubs to satisfy some fairly strict requirements relating to facilities at their grounds. A Championship or Runners-up spot DOES NOT GUARANTEE PROMOTION. Read the League Rules carefully to find out what is required well in advance and DON’T BE CAUGHT OUT at the last minute.