Constitution

This document is a summary of the key requirements for Clubs to follow for the 2023/24 season. A full set of the Standard Code of Rules and League Rules can be accessed on the League’s website. The League also has its own twitter account @mid_lancs.

1. FIXTURES

Fixtures will normally be issued covering 1 month at a time. They will normally be published 2-3 weeks before the start of the month. The fixtures will be available on the Full Time System, League Website and will be notified to the nominated club contact by email (the email comes directly from the Full Time System)

2. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CLUBS

It is the responsibility of the home team to contact the away team prior to fixtures being played. This is to confirm the arrangements for the fixture, check for kit clashes (it is the responsibility of the home team to change in the event of a clash), establish match day contacts in the event of any changes or a postponement. Contact should be made no later than 3 days prior to the fixture (ie Wednesday for a Saturday Fixture, Sunday for a Tuesday Fixture). Club and match day contact details, kit colours and directions to grounds can be found on the League website. The contact details are also shown in the email notification of the fixture.

3. COMMUNICATION WITH MATCH OFFICIALS

It is the responsibility of the home team to contact the referee. This should be done 2 days prior to the fixture. We also ask the referees to contact the home team. The Referee details will be in an email notification from the Full Time System. The Referee allocated to the fixture can also be viewed on the Full Time System. Referee contact details can also be found on the League website. With regard to payment to the Referee/Assistant Referee the arrangement should be agreed at the point of contact (contactless or cash).
The referees are being asked to complete a report on their matches and the administration arrangements will form part of this report.

4. MATCH DAY TEAM CARDS

Teams will be supplied with match day cards for use on the day of the fixture. These must be completed and passed to the referee 15 minutes before the kick off time. The cards will be retained by the referee until the completion of the game and will be returned to the teams signed by the referee. The team numbers on the shirts must match the player name and number on the match day team card. The match day team cards must be retained by the teams . The reason for using the cards is to assist the referee with names for cautions/sendings off, as a record of the match in the event that an insurance claim is made and the insurance company askes for a copy, and the League may request to see the cards in the event of a query over player participation.

5. RESULTS

Prior to a game being played the team’s nominated contact person on the Full Time System will receive a text from the System regarding submitting the result of the fixture. On conclusion of the fixture the result must be submitted via the text to the Full Time System. This also applies if the fixture is postponed or abandoned. If the nominated person is not available for any reason then the team must make alternative arrangements. If for any reason a team wishes to change the nominated person either permanently or on a temporary basis eg because someone is on holiday this can be done via the WGS/FT System. It is the responsibility of both teams to submit the result. The notification of results applies to both League and Cup fixtures. The arrangements for nominating a contact person should be made via the Whole Game System.
Alternatively clubs can submit results via the Match Day App. The App also allows access to the System for updates, team sheets and administrative functions.

6. TEAM SHEETS

Team Sheets must be submitted online to the Full Time System by 7.00pm on the Monday after a Saturday game (7.00pm on Thursday after a Tuesday game). Failure to submit the team sheet on time will result in a fine of £10.
The online system for teamsheets can also be accessed using the App.
The teamsheets are submitted via the Results header on the Full Time System using the tab headed ‘Player Statistics’.

7. OFFICIAL MARKS/RESPECT MARKS/PITCH MARKS

Teams are asked to complete marks for the Referees/Assistant Referees when entering the team sheets onto the Full Time System. This is important so that the League can monitor the referees and it also counts towards end of season appointments to cup finals. The marks are out of 100 but split : Overall Decision Making - 40 , Judgement of major decisions - 30, Overall Control - 30. If a team submits a score of 60 or less they are required to submit a written report explaining their mark on the System. Failure to submit a report will result in a fine.
In addition teams are also asked to complete sections on ‘Respect Marks’ and ‘Pitch Marks’
The marks for these 3 elements are submitted via the Results header on the Full Time System using the tab headed ‘FA Marks’.

8. FAILURE TO FULFIL A FIXTURE

Where a team fails to fulfil a fixture without due reason then the fixture will be awarded as a Home Win or Away Win to the non-offending team and 3 points awarded. There will be no adjustment to the goal difference. The offending team will be fined £25 and deducted 3 points. The fixture will not be rescheduled.

9. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

The League normally holds 3-4 meetings a year for clubs. Attendance by clubs is compulsory and failure to attend will result in a fine.

10. PLANNED POSTPONEMENTS (Application for a ‘life’)

An application for the planned postponement of a fixture (a ‘life’) must be made in writing to the Fixtures Secretary at least 35 days prior to the date on which the fixture is due to be played. A team may only make one application for a postponement of a fixture during the course of the season. No application for a life may be made in April or May. Where teams are involved in Cup Competitions then the Fixtures Secretary has the discretion to allow the postponement of a League Fixture depending on the Cup Competition and the date of the fixture.
This season an adjustment has been made whereby teams can apply for 2 additional lives covering the 8 fixtures dates on the 12,15,19,22,26,29 (August),2,5 (September).

11. UNPLANNED POSTPONEMENTS

The League recognise that there may be events beyond the control of clubs which require a postponement of a fixture. Where such instances occur the League Secretary and the Fixtures Secretary must be notified as soon as possible. If the postponement is at very short notice then contact must be made with the opposing team, match officials and the Referees Appointments Officer.

12. CUP COMPETITIONS

If a club enters a cup competition other than the Mid Lancashire League Cup Competitions or one organised by the Lancashire Football Association, they must notify the Fixtures Secretary and the League Secretary . They must also notify the Fixtures Secretary as soon as they know the dates of any fixtures – an example would be teams entering the Liverpool Cup Competition . If the Cup is not a sanctioned competition, or one that falls outside the County Cups and League Cups, the League may refuse to accept the request.

13. GUILDHALL CUP/LANCASTRIAN BRIGADE CUP

It is essential that clubs follow the eligibility criteria rules for the Cup Competitions. These are available in SCOR on the League website under the Local Rules Section. Further details will be provided prior to the commencement of the Competitions.

14. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS AND TRANSFERS

The Registration of players will be accepted up to 5.00pm on the day prior to a fixture being played ie 5.00pm Friday for a Saturday fixture. With regard to transfers clubs are advised that they must obtain the permission of the club from whom the player is being transferred before the transfers can be accepted. Under the WGS arrangements there is a 7 day pending notice of transfer. Normally the transfer will go though after the 7 day period has concluded. If both clubs are in agreement over the transfer then the period of 7 days can be reduced – the clubs must notify the League Registration Officer in writing if this has been agreed. The process must be completed before a player can play for a new club. No transfers are allowed after the 31 March except by permission of the League. In all cases the registration and transfer must be approved by the League by the 5.00pm deadline before a player is eligible to play.
If a club has an objection to a transfer eg due to outstanding monies, they must notify the League Secretary within the 7 day period and put an indication of an objection on the transfer request on the Whole Game System. The League will then consider the objection and the transfer may be delayed.

15. FEES TO MATCH OFFICIALS

The Referee’s fee is £40 with a further payment of £5 if they travel over a 30 mile round trip and £10 if they travel over 40 miles from their home address to the ground. Assistant Referees shall be paid £20 each. The Referee shall be paid by the home team. The Fees for the Assistant Referees shall be split equally between the two clubs. 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 50% of their fee plus travel expenses.

16. SUSPENSIONS

It is the responsibility of the club to ensure that players who are suspended complete the period of suspension. Ideally the club should indicate on the Whole Game System which games are covered by the suspension. There are some players who are carrying suspensions over to this season from last season. As stated it is the responsibility of the club to check these. The Whole Game System provides for full visibility of suspensions and can easily be verified. The sanctions for the club and the player for playing whilst suspended can be significant.
A player who is sent off in a game is automatically suspended from playing 7 days hence ie a player sent off on a Saturday cannot play the following Saturday. If a club has not been notified of a sending off/suspension on the Whole Game System it is the club’s responsibility to contact the LFA Discipline department to determine the reason. It is not an acceptable excuse to say that the suspension did not appear on the Whole Game System. The club and the player both know if they have been sent off.
The same principle applies to cautions. This can also be significant if a player accumulates 5 cautions resulting in an automatic suspension.

17. FINES

Fines to the Lancashire Football Association and the League must be paid in accordance with the timescales set down by the respective organisations. Failure to pay in accordance with the timescales will result in late payment penalties. The timescale for the League is within 21 days. Fines payable to the League can be done as follows:

1. By BACS

Account Name : Mid Lancashire Football League (Business Account)
Account Number : 12303434
Sort Code : 16 23 31

When making a payment by BACS please quote the name of the team as the reference

2. By cash or cheque at a League Meeting providing it is within the 21 days.

18. VETERANS

All matters relating to the Veterans in terms of fixtures, payment for pitches/referees and results will be dealt with by Tom Jaques.

19. COMPLAINTS

In the event that a club/team wishes to make a complaint eg due to an alleged playing of an ineligible player or other such incident arising from a fixture, this must be submitted in writing to the League Secretary within 48 hours of the alleged matter. The matter will then be subject to investigation in accordance with the processes set out in SCOR.

20. LEAGUE CONTACTS

The key league contacts are :

Albert Newton, Chairman, Player Registration Secretary and Administrator for the Whole Game System/Full Time System
email : chairman@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07974 981427/01695 622014

Alan Stuttard, League Secretary/Treasurer and Administrator for the Whole Game System/Full Time System
email : secretary@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07400 606794

Peter Jones, Fixtures Secretary
email : fixtures.admin@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07791 512066

Tony Alty, Referees Appointments Officer
email : referee.admin@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07962 019083

Donna Artis, Website
email : web.admin@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07843 227452

Tom Jaques, Veterans
email : vets@midlancsfl.com
phone : 07805 344741

Website : www.midlancsfl.com

Please note : IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE APPLICATION OR INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OR THESE NOTES, THE LEAGUE SECRETARY MUST BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 48 HOURS SO THAT THE MATTER CAN BE CONSIDERED IN A TIMELY MANNER. CLUBS HAVE THE RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST DECISIONS MADE BY THE LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.