Rules
( Updated December 2007)
1. In the event of a player moving from the area of one Club to another during the season, he shall remain eligible to play for the Club for whom his Registration was accepted at the Registration Meeting. That is, there will be no transfer of Registration of a player during a Summer League season. If a player moves outside the Summer League area during the Summer League season, his Registration will cease on the day he moves.
2. Registered players shall reside at their given address on the date of the registration meeting. The Executive Committee reserve the right to seek proof of residential status, and their decision in such matters is final. Players not registered at the Registration Meeting will not be eligible to play during that season. There will be no late registration of players.
3. All Clubs shall submit 25 copies of their proposed list of players for the inspection and approval of the Management Committee at the pre-season Registration meeting.
Names on this list should include familiar names or nicknames. The lists of Players intended for Registration will be sent to the General Secretary to arrive on or before March 1, prior to each season. Players whose registration is accepted at the Registration meeting shall be deemed to be "bona fide" residents for the duration of that season. Players whose Registration is not accepted at the Registration meeting shall attend in person at a second Registration meeting where his circumstances will be presented to the member Clubs present who will ultimately make a decision on the validity of his Registration.
4. In the event of a Club playing a person ineligible to play for any reason, this will incur a minimum penalty of a three (3) point deduction for playing in a League match or expulsion from that season's Shield Competition for playing in a Shield tie.
5. Matches shall normally last for 90 minutes, but, where it is deemed necessary by the match referee, prior to kick off, a shorter period may be played, but such matches shall be of two equal halves. No match shall be played for a shorter period than 60 minutes. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the referee has to abandon a game, although not of two equal halves, if the game has lasted a minimum of 60 minutes it will be deemed to have been completed. All cases of uncompleted matches shall be reported by the referee to the Referee's Secretary within a period of 48 hours. The Executive Committee shall have the discretion to order the match to be replayed, should they see fit.
6. The preliminary and first round ties of the Shield competition will be re-played if the scores are level at the end of normal time. Preliminary and first round re-plays will be on the opponent's ground. In the case of replays being tied at the end of normal time, 15 minutes each way of extra time will be played. The best of 5 penalties each will then be used if scores remain level, and ultimately sudden death penalties. In the case of the Shield Semi-finals and Final there will be no replay. In the event of a tie at the end of normal time, then 15 minutes each way of extra time and then penalties will decide the outcome. The Shield Semi-finals and Final shall be played on neutral grounds. The host Club at Semi-finals and Final will be expected to keep spectators away from the touchline, preferably by means of a post and rope fence.
7. Each Club shall be responsible for providing a suitable pitch and for it's proper marking. The measurements and markings shall conform as near as possible to the requirements of the Welsh Football Association. Similarly, Clubs shall endeavour to provide suitable changing accommodation as close as possible to their pitch. The referee shall report to the Referee's Secretary within 48 hours any instances of unsuitable playing surface, e.g. long grass; improperly marked pitch, e.g. lines missing or marked in inappropriate materials or late kick offs etc.
8. The safety and well-being of the Referee is the responsibility of the Home Club and, if necessary, he shall be escorted safely away from the ground. Nobody should approach the Referee in a threatening manner after the game has ended.
9. Each Club shall be responsible for appointing a suitable person to act as linesman. Great care should be exercised when making this appointment. If no such person is forthcoming prior to kick-off then the referee may appoint a player from that team to act as linesman. Any Club which repeatedly fails to appoint a suitable person to act as Linesman will render themselves liable to a punishment, the nature of which will be determined by the Executive Committee
10. Referee's reports from Monday / Tuesday night games will not be considered at the Executive Committee meeting held during that week. Any suspension imposed at an Executive Committee meeting will be served commencing the Monday following that Meeting. Any Club wishing to protest about the result of a match, the composition of the opposing team or a decision of the Executive Committee shall do so, in writing, to the Executive Committee within 72 hours of the match or decision. Any such protest will be accompanied with a £10 appeal fee and details of the grounds or reasons for the protest. In the absence of the Appeal fee, or reasonable grounds the protest will not be considered. In the event of an appeal in respect of a disciplinary matter concerning a player, the player will be expected to attend in person. An appeal will not be considered in his absence. Failure to attend will result in a doubling of the appeal fee. No appeal against a suspension will be considered where that suspension has been incurred under the points "totting up" procedure. The Executive Committee will consider all properly lodged protests, and their decision will be final and binding. Should a protest fail, then the appeal fee will be forfeited and credited to League funds. All Clubs shall be notified of any such duly lodged protest and the decision made upon it. Full details of the Disciplinary Proceedings, Disputes and Appeals process can be found in that document which is appended to these Rules.
11. When a Club has a genuine reason for wishing to postpone a match, e.g.. where an important function in the village involving players clashes with a match, a written request should be made to the League Secretary at least seven days before the fixture. Full reasons shall be given for seeking a postponement, and the opposing team and Referee's Secretary should be informed of the actions taken. Only in exceptional circumstances should Clubs apply for a postponement of a fixture and failure to fulfil a fixture due to the absence of one or more players will not normally be accepted as sufficient reason for seeking a postponement. In the event of a special case arising, due to unforeseen circumstances, both Clubs may agree to a postponement and agree a suitable date for playing the postponed match, provided the approval of the League Chairman or General Secretary has been obtained and the Referee's Secretary is notified accordingly. Failure to reach agreement in a situation of this nature should be referred to the full Executive Committee for determination. Any Club who fails to fulfil a fixture will be fined and be deducted six (6) points. The amount of the fine shall be determined by the Executive Committee, giving due regard to the circumstances and the previous conduct of the Club.
12. In the event of a clash of colours, the home team shall be required to change. If the clash occurs in the Shield semi-final or final, then it shall be left to the Clubs concerned to agree a compromise. Clubs should ensure that goalkeepers' jerseys are of a neutral colour, to the satisfaction of the referee. Clubs must indicate their playing colours with their list of players each season.
13. Neutral linesmen will be appointed for Shield semi-final and final matches. If a Club wishes to have a neutral linesman for any other match, and is willing to pay his fee, then the League will make such an appointment.
14. In the various seven-a-side competitions, if a player receives two cautions he will be suspended from the next game. If a player is dismissed he will be suspended from the remainder of the competition.
14a In the League and Shield competitions, a player who is dismissed from the field of play will be automatically be ineligible to play in the next League or Shield match. The referee's report will then be discussed at the next Executive meeting, in the normal way to see if any further punishment is warranted.
15. Three substitutes shall be allowed in any game.
16. The referee will order the match to commence if the two sides have a minimum of eight players each.
17. Failure of Clubs to pay all duly notified fines to the League within 28 days following their final match in any season will result in an increase of 10% per month or part of a month thereafter. Further failure to pay may lead to their expulsion from the League for the following season.
18. The results of all matches should be communicated to the League's nominated representative immediately after the match by the home Club. Failure to do so may lead to disciplinary action being taken against persistent repeat offenders.
19. The Executive Committee will award £100-00 to the Champions to provide a celebration buffet at the Champions versus The Rest match.
20. League Officials, Club Officials, Clubs and their players shall conduct themselves in such a way so as not to tarnish the spirit or the image of Llandyrnog and District Village Clubs Summer Football League. Failure to do so will render transgressors liable to a charge of bringing the game or the League into disrepute