NOTES FOR CLUBS FOR 2018/19 SEASON

This document is a summary of the key requirements for Clubs to follow for the 2018/19 season. A full set of the Standard Code of Rules and League Rules can be accessed on the League’s website.

1. RESULTS

Prior to a game being played the team’s nominated contact person on the Whole Game System/Full Time System will receive a text 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 and signed by the referee. The match day cards will be retained by the teams. The reason for using the cards is to assist the referee with names for cautions/sendings off and as a record of the match in the event that an insurance claim is made. Insurance companies will ask for proof that the fixture was actually played and the match day card can be used to indicate this.

4. 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 two days prior to the fixture (ie Thursday for a Saturday fixture, Sunday for a Tuesday fixture).

5. COMMUNICATION WITH MATCH OFFICIALS

It is the responsibility of the home team to contact the Referee. This should be done two days prior to the fixture. There is a change to the arrangements for 2018/19. Tony Hawkes has agreed to carry on as the Referee Appointments Officer and will be assisted by Alan Stuttard. Tony will allocate the Referees a month in advance when the fixtures are issued. Alan Stuttard will deal with any issues/changes in the week prior to the game being played. We do ask that Referees contact the home club as well so hopefully any problems can be minimised.

6. FAILURE TO FULFIL A FIXTURE

Where a team fails to fulfil a fixture without due reason then the offending team will be fined (£50) and there will be a 3 point deduction. The game will be rescheduled if the failure is prior to the 31 March. If the failure occurs after the 31 March the non offending team will also be awarded 3 points for the fixture and the game will not be rescheduled. Full details are available in the league rules.

7. REFEREE MARKS

Teams are asked to complete marks for the 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 50 - General Control, 20 - Personality and Appearance, 30 - Application of laws. If a team submits a score of 30 or less they are required to submit a written report explaining their mark within 48 hours. Failure to submit a report will result in a fine.

8. 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.

9. 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 does not affect the situation regarding the application for a life.

10. 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.

11. 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 – examples would be teams entering the Liverpool Cup Competition or the Southport Charity Cup. If the Cup is not a sanctioned competition the League may refuse to accept the request.

12. 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. Last season a number of issues were raised some of which resulted in players being stopped from playing. Again the WGS/FT Systems provide full visibility of the games played and can easily be verified.

13. 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. The process must be completed before a player can play for a new club. No transfers are allowed after the 31 March.

14. FEES TO MATCH OFFICIALS

The Referee’s fee is £30 with a further payment of £5 if they travel over a 30 mile round trip 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 of £5 if over 30 miles.

15. 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.

16. 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 cash/cheque at a League Club meeting providing it is within the timescale for payment ie 21 days.

2. By cheque payable to the ‘Mid Lancashire Football League’ and sent to :

Frank Curry

63 Lytham Road

Fulwood

Preston

PR2 8JD

3. By BACS

Account Name : Mid Lancashire Football League

Account Number : 12303434

Sort Code : 16 23 31

When making a payment by BACS please quote the name of the team as the reference and send an email to the Treasurer – franxcurry@btinternet.com, so that he can confirm the payment.

17. LEAGUE CONTACTS

The key league contacts are :

Albert Newton, Chairman, Registration Secretary and Administrator for the Full Time System – email : albertn422@gmail.com. Mob : 07974981427

Alan Stuttard, League Secretary – email : alanstuttard7@aol.com. Mob : 07400606794

Norman Cragg, Fixtures Secretary – email : norman.cragg@btopenworld.com . Mob : 07834347326

Tony Hawkes, Referees Appointments Officer – email : midlancsref@hotmail.com. Mob : 07780440710

Kevin Roberts, Team Sheets – email : twostrokecharlie@hotmail.com. Mob : 07736811405

Frank Curry, Treasurer – email : franxcurry@btinternet.com. Tel : 01772 715887

Website : midlancsfl.pitchero.com

IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE APPLICATION OR INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES 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.