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THE CONSTITUTION of the LEAGUE
Requires we provide Association Football for Clubs, their Registered Playing Members and Administrators. As the governing body of the game, The Football Association is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the game at every level. Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally. Our commitment is to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability and to encourage equal opportunities. The Durham and District Sunday Football League will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in what ever context it occurs.
CONSTITUTION AND RULES
The Competition shall be conducted in accordance with the General Rules for Competitions as laid down by the Football Association, which are adopted by Durham County Football Association, together with special rules which have been approved by the Committee of the above Football Association.
STANDARD CODE OF RULES
The following rules have been compiled for the use of Competitions and are mandatory for all new Competitions and will be mandatory for all sanctions at Level 4 and below of the National League System as from Season 2002/2003. Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity, putting them in the correctly numbered Rule and showing the Standard Headings.
CLUBS TO NOTE
In order to preserve the status and good name of the Durham and District Sunday Football League, rules governing the Competition will be strictly adhered to and enforced by the League’s elected Officials and the Management Committee.
Copies of the League Rules are provided to each Club in membership and ignorance of any particular rule will not be accepted as an excuse for breaking that rule.
Club Secretaries are therefore urged to consult the League Rules frequently so that unnecessary fines and penalties imposed by the Management Committee can be avoided.

LEAGUE RULES QUICK REFERENCE
RULE
1. NOMENTURE & CONSTITUTION
2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT
3. OFFICERS
4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION
5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
9. CLUB COLOURS, CLUB NAME
10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTIONS
11. REPORTING RESULTS
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
13. REFEREES
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
15. PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS
16. BOARD OF APPEAL
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS, MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS
18. TROPHIES, LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS
19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
20. ALTERATION OF RULES
21. RULES BINDING CLUBS
22. FINANCE
23.MEETINGS
24.MATCHES OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE LEAGUE
25.LEAGUE CUPS AND FINALS
26.LEAGUE PRESENTATION NIGHT
27.LEAGUE WEBSITE
28 INDEMNITY CLAUSE

1. NOMENTURE & CONSTITUTION
1. (A) This Competitions shall be designated the Durham and District Sunday Football League and known as the Durham and District Sunday Football League, and Cup Competitions, League Cup, League Knockout Cup, Cup Winners Cup, Guards Cup, Plate Cup and Staffierri Cup, and shall consist of not more that 84 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs. The Number of Clubs In each Division to be determined by the League’s Management Committee. The Number Of Divisions to be determined by the League’s Management Committee. The Organisation and Membership of all League Knockout Competitions will be at the discretion of the Leagues Management Committee. All clubs in the League must be Football Association Charter Standard Clubs; all new Clubs joining the League must achieve Charter Standard within 3 Months of joining the League.All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to The Durham County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form “D” to the Durham County Football Association Limited. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be for grounds South of the River Tyne and North of the River Tees.This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Durham County Football Association Limited and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions. The number of Divisions and the number of teams in each Division shall be at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(B) Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the League Management Committee. Clubs wishing to Play in any Outside Cup Competition must apply in writing to the League Secretary before the 20th August each Season, Clubs must include a SAE for a reply that will be returned within 7 Days. Clubs that enter outside Competitions without the Permission of the Leagues Management Committee will not be released to play in these Competitions. Clubs that are allowed to play in External Cup Competitions will only be released for these Fixtures at the discretion of the Leagues Management Committee. The Leagues own Fixture List will always take preference the only exception being the FA Sunday Cup and the Durham County FA Sunday Cup
(C) The Durham Sunday Football League & Cup Competition operates a Child Protection Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Football Association.
2.ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT
2. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary before 1st April and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £30.00 per team, which shall be returned in the event of non-election. New clubs should also submit a Financial Statement.At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present, such applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.When Rule 12(B) is applied and a team seeks a transfer of is compulsorily transferred to another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £40.00 per Team payable on or before the annual General Meeting in each Season
(C) Each New Club shall within 7 days of election pay a Deposit of £25.00, which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all order of the Management Committee.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and Deposit and any outstanding debts to the competition have been paid.
(E) Clubs must pay to the League Secretary of the League by 1st April each Season its Durham County Football Association affiliation Fee for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00.
3.OFFICERS/Management Committee
The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fixture/ Referees Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Press Officer to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The League Management Committee shall have the power to appoint any retiring Member of the League Management Committee as a Life-Member and Vice-Presidents to the League as and when the Position requires. The League Management Committee Representatives are Independent or Club Officials who were elected onto the Committee at the League Annual General Meeting. They are Limited to maximum of 12 each season. The League Management Committee consists of all the League Officers together with the 12 League Management Committee members. Each member of the Management Committee has the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and as such, they have the power to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the League.
4.MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION
(A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and nine members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, of whom one third shall retire every three years by rotation. Any Officer may hold more than one Office.
(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the League Secretary signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 30th April in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.
(C) The Management Committee shall meet at Monthly intervals to deal with business as it arises at a venue Nominated by the League’s General Secretary. The Minutes of these Meetings will be circulated to all Clubs in Membership of the League; these Minutes will include any Fines on Member Clubs as Agreed by the Leagues Management Committee, Fines must be paid within 14 days of receipt of the Minutes.
On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the League Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee within 14 days.
(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the General Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Club Secretary or nominated deputy.
Where a reply is required, it must be accompanied by stamped self-addressed envelope.
5.POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
(A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub- committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association
(B) Subject to the permission of the Durham County Football Association having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season. (See Rule 6(e)).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. (This shall also apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).
In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Club Official (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of Competition Rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules by the appropriate Association.
(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 days.
(F) 5 Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and 3 Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the competition.
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(H) A Club failing to comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined a Minimum of £5-00 or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification.
Failure to comply with this, then the fines will be doubled. An administration charge will be levied on all fines at 11% each statement. Dishonoured cheques from Clubs will incur an additional administration charge of £10.00. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of these Rules will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.
(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) Each Officer, Official, Member of Management Committee or Member of League shall be entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by the League and its members for any liability incurred in respect of any act carried out with the authority of the League relating to the proper conduct of the affairs and Management of the League. The indemnity relates to any liability including any compensation or damages awarded and legal cost and other costs in the defence of actions.
(M) Any Club failing to answer to correspondence with any League matter within 7 days will be liable to incur a fine of £5.00. And a Further £5-00 for every 7 days that correspondence is not replied to.
(N) A member appointed by the League to attend a Meeting or match may have his/her expenses for this event refunded by the League.
(O) The Selection Committee shall be responsible for the selection of players for League representative teams. All players registered with the League are liable for selection for Inter League and/or County Representative games: in the event of two or more players from one team being selected and available – permission may be granted to the Club to postpone a League or Cup game provided seven days written request is made to the General Secretary. A player selected for the League but refusing to play will under no circumstances be allowed to play for his Club on the day of the Inter League game. Any player not appearing at an Inter League game or representative match having accepted such invitation shall be charges with misconduct and failing to submit a satisfactory explanation within 14 days may be liable to suspension from one league or cup match in this competition.
(P) The Name and Title of the League shall not be used by any Club, Official or Player in any football coupon, voucher or draw ticket: nor shall they circularise any club or player in the League with any of the above mentioned.
(Q) The Leagues gives power to the General Secretary to deal with urgent matters not mentioned in these rules, he being responsible for laying same immediately before the Management for their approval or rejection.
(R) Shirt Advertising may be allowed in accordance with F.A. Regulations, subject to DCFA and the League Management Committee approval. All forms of advertising must be notified and approved by the DCFA and League, and renewed in each season.
(S) All increases in Financial Income each year shall be governed by the ANNUAL INFLATION RATE as at 31st March each year, and any increases adjusted accordingly. All financial matters within the competition shall be adjusted by the League Management Committee and notified to all Clubs. The Committee in their wisdom may withhold any increase, should they consider it not being necessary.
(T) Matches in this League or its subsidiary competition will normally be played on Sundays, but the Management Committee in its absolute discretion may order matches to be played on other days of the week when it is considered necessary to do so.
(U) Clubs, Officials and/or Players continually guilty of misconduct or committing any act which brings the league into disrepute will be ordered to appear before the Management or appropriate Sub-Committee and subject to whatever punishment the Committee determines including the Deduction of Points.
(V) Clubs, Officials or Players not complying with the Rules of the Competition, will be ordered to appear before the Management Committee or appropriate Sub-Committee and subject to whatever punishment that Committee determines.
(W) If a Player or Club Official be ordered to appear before any Committee or Management Committee Meeting, and fails to do so, a Player or Club may be charged with misconduct, failing a satisfactory explanation a fine not exceeding £15-00 will be imposed, and any such other actions as that committee may determine.
(X) The League’s General Secretary will report to the League’s Management Committee on Sponsorship of the League and Its Subsidiary Competitions and will be responsible on how the Sponsorship Monies are best used for the Interests of the League.
6.ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year. At a Venue to be nominated by the League’s Management Committee. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 51% of Member Clubs are present and entitled to vote: -
(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii) To consider any business arising they’re from.
(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
(v) Receive Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(vii) Appointments of Auditors and Solicitor.
(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall be given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
(B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Durham County Football Association.
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and the Annual General Meeting shall send Statement of Accounts to the Durham County Football Association within fourteen days of its adoption.
(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 14 days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.
(E) Clubs who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 15 of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined a Minimum of £15.00, subject to the League’s Management Committee that Club could be removed from the League.
(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.
7..AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement, which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

“We, A, ----------------------------of -----------------------(Chairman) and
B -----------------------------------of -----------------------(Secretary)
C -----------------------------------of ---------------(Other Member) of the
------------------------------- Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the ----------------------------Competition and do hereby agree and for and on behalf of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Any alteration of the Chairman, Secretary and/or Other Member on the above Agreement must be notified to the Durham County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Chief Executive of the Competition. New Agreements must be completed where alterations are made.
8.QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
(A) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.
(B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: -
Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the League Secretary prior to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing, along with a Stamped Addressed Envelope for the Conformation to be returned. Late Registrations for League Games Only will be allowed, the Correctly completed form to accompany the Result Team Sheet.
(D) A club may not have more than two players playing for a team in a lower division, who played in the last two leagues games of a team in a higher division.
(E) A player having taken part in any matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official may not accept such player’s signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.
(F) A fee of £3.00 shall be paid for each player registered, on the Clubs Retained List, these being players who have signed a Registration Form in the League for that club in the previous Season, no new players can be registered on the Form, this must be returned to the League Secretary 14 days before the Start of the Season along with the fee to register each players on the Form, this must contain a Minimum of 14 players. All clubs MUST have a minimum of 14 players registered 14 days prior to the start of the season or will be fined the sum of £10-00.
A Player is not eligible to play in this Competition who receives any form or payment for playing, other than expenses as per clauses 1,2 and 3 of article 2 of the FIFA Regulations Governing the Status and Transfer of Players. Clubs upon election must sign a declaration that they will conform to the said clauses and players of such Clubs are required to sign a declaration upon Registration that they are eligible under, and will abide by, the FIFA clauses, which are as follows:
“(1) Players who have never received any remuneration other than for the actual expenses incurred during the course of their participation in or for any activity connected with association football shall be regarded as amateur.
(2) Travel and hotel expenses incurred through involvement in a match and the cost of players equipment, insurance and training may be reimbursed jeopardising a players amateur status.
(3) Any player who has ever received remuneration in excess of the amount stated under clause 2 in respect of participation in or an activity connected with association football shall be regarded as non-amateur unless he has reacquired amateur status under the terms of Art.25”
(G) Each New Players Registration forms shall be obtained from the League Secretary or Downloaded from the League web site , returned to the League Secretary with the £1-00 Fee to Register the Player in the League( a fully and correctly completed Competition Registration form in ink) . Failure to comply with the above will incur a fine not exceeding £5 per player. No player to be registered or Transfer after 31st March each Season. The Fee for the Registration of a Player in the League to be set by the League’s Management Committee All registration forms must be accompanied by a registration fee. Any person found guilty of signing a Registration Form on behalf of a player shall be liable, at the discretion of the Management Committee, to suspension from any activities with the League. A list of each Clubs registered players is available upon request to the Registrations Secretary.
The Retained List and new Registrations in the League Combined each Player will cost £1.00 per player then after Clubs reach 25 Player Registrations the Cost is then £5-00.
(H) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes. In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The League Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.
(i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration of any player.
(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player, except those under 18 years of age, at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).
(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football Association.
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered with.
Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an Appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered where the player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)
It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to: -
(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being transferred.
(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer. The player’s registration will automatically be suspended until such time as the matter has been investigated by the Management Committee.
(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
(iv) No player holding an officials position within a club may transfer or register for another club or team in the Competition. Any player guilty of breach of this rule shall be guilty of misconduct and may be liable to disqualification from all games within the Competition.
(I) (I) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the
Registration of any player. The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16)
(ii) The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel the registration of any player found guilty or undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16).
(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
(iv) No player holding an officials position within a club may transfer or register for another club or team in the Competition. Any player guilty of breach of this rule shall be guilty of misconduct and may be liable to disqualification from all games within the Competition.
(I) (I) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the
Registration of any player. The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16)
(ii) The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse, cancel the registration of any player found guilty or undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16).
(J) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written contract when a player desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the League Secretary accompanied by a New Registration Form. The Duly Completed Forms to be sent to the League Secretary along with a Stamped Addressed Envelope for the Confirmation Return. Match Day Transfers for League Games only will be allowed, transfer forms are avaible from the League Secretary or Downloaded from the League website , fee of £5.00 No player to be Transferred after 31st March each Season. The Fee for the Transfer form to be set by the League’s Management Committee. A player requiring a second transfer during the same season the fee will be £10-00 (plus registration Fee £3-00).A Third Transfer will be at the League Management Committees discretion and if allowed a Fee 0f £20-00 will be charged (plus registration Fee £3-00. No Transfers allowed until 6 weeks after the season has started.
The Fee for the Transfer form to be set by the League’s Management Committee
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.
(K) A player may not be transferred to another Club in the Competition after the 31st March except by special permission of the Management Committee. A player may not be registered for a Club after 31 st March except by special permission of The Management Committee.
(L) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall,be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member/Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Season only. In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a Club in another Competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re-registered as required by this Rule
(M) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Leagues Registration Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of the Club Secretary at times mutually arranged for a fee of £5.00.
(N) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion or relegation-deciding match (as specified in Rule 12 (A)) unless the player has played 4 games for that team in this Competition in the current season. This also includes Cup Ties were a Player must have played 4 Games for the Club before Playing in Cup Semi Finals Or In the Cup Final,
(O) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and may be fined a Minimum of £15-00 per player and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(ii) In addition the team may have up to twelve points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner, which it is thought to be fit.
(iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(The Following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):-
(P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.
(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday Leagues).
(iii) No player under 16 years of age on 1st September will be permitted to register with the League.
(R) All new clubs, elected to the Competitions at the Annual General Meeting, shall not be permitted to register more than 4 players who were registered with clubs within this Competition in the previous season. Where a club is starting a Second Team this rule applies in total to all teams within that club and will include transfers.
(S) A fully Completed written List of Players Printed on the Ream Result Sheet containing Christian and Surnames including 5 Substitutes must be exchanged before each Match by both Teams before the Kick off. Each Club must then send the Fully Completed Form to the General Secretary of the League for each game played to arrive no later than 72 Hours after the game took place. The Result Team Sheet to include Both Sides Teams, Referee’s Mark, Goalscorers and any Dismissals or Cautions administered during the Game, man of the Match, indicate which substitutes played and any other information as required by the League. The Bottom Section of the Result Team Sheet to be sent to the Fixture Secretary Fully Completed Containing the Match Result and the Referee’s Mark for each game played to arrive no later than 72 Hours after the game took place. Clubs failing to Comply with this will be fined £5-00, and then a further £5-00 per week until the Team sheet is forwarded to the League secretary/ Fixture Secretary.
(T) The match result Sheet of any match played may be inspected by any club on payment of £5-00 per Result Team Sheet.
(U) (I) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players (MAY have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and SHALL be fined a Minimum of £15-00 and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(ii) In addition the team may have THREE points deducted form its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
(iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
(v) Third Transfer,A player who transfers from a club to another for a third time in any one season must give written reasons to the League Management Committee and will not be allowed to transfer until sanction is given
Registrations
Registered players who change their address Must notify their Club Secretary and the League Secretary. Clubs submitting incomplete registration and transfer Forms shall be fined £2 per form. Incomplete forms will be returned to the Club and the player in question will be deemed as not being registered until the completed form has been returned to the League secretary.
Player Registration forms to be £3-00 and Transfer Forms to be £5-00, A player requiring a second or subsequent transfer during the same season the fee will be £10-00.
A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County FA shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to or sign for a club in the league without first proving to the officials of his intended club that he has discharged his reasonable financial debts and other liabilities to his previous club or clubs, and a club may not accept such players signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have been discharged to the satisfaction of the club, or clubs, for which he last played.
Definition of the term ‘reasonable financial debts and other liabilities’ – when the transfer system is used, the League Management Committee will consider financial debts to the club the player wishes to transfer from, but only those debts that are orientated to football
A Player is not eligible to play in this Competition who receives any form or payment for playing, other than expenses as per clauses 1,2 and 3 of article 2 of the FIFA Regulations Governing the Status and Transfer of Players. Clubs upon election must sign a declaration that they will conform to the said clauses and players of such Clubs are required to sign a declaration upon Registration that they are eligible under, and will abide by, the FIFA clauses, which are as follows:
“(1) Players who have never received any remuneration other than for the actual expenses incurred during the course of their participation in or for any activity connected with association football shall be regarded as amateur.
(2) Travel and hotel expenses incurred through involvement in a match and the cost of players equipment, insurance and training may be reimbursed jeopardising a players amateur status.
(3) Any player who has ever received remuneration in excess of the amount stated under clause 2 in respect of participation in or an activity connected with association football shall be regarded as non-amateur unless he has reacquired amateur status under the terms of Art.25”
9.CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME
(A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the General Secretary by last Sunday in April who shall decide as to their suitability. All Shirts worn in any Competition under the Jurisdiction of the Durham and District Sunday Football League must be Numbered from 1-11 and the numbers worn by Players must correspond with the Number on the Result Match Sheet, Clubs Failing to adhere to this will be fined £5-00, to be increased to £10-00 after a Club has been reported for the second time. Clubs must wear the Colours as Registered with the League, all Shirts, Shorts and Socks Must be the same Colour and design, Clubs failing to keep to this Rule will be fined £5-00 for each offence.
Substitutes will wear the Numbers 12-16, no player will be allowed to wear a Substitutes Shirt to start the Game, and any Club breaking this Rule will be fined £5-00.
Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee.
No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 5 days before the match.
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £5-00
The General Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. All Shirts must be numbered.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and from the League Management Committee. Failure to comply will incur a fine of £5-00
10.PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES
(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date. Original fixtures arranged by The Fixture Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later than 1st April of that season must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determines by the Annual General Meeting.
The Fixture List will be the responsibility of the League Fixture Secretary or nominated assistant. It is the Clubs responsibility to advise the Fixture Secretary or his nominated assistant of the availability of their home ground by the 1st June prior to the season. Clubs failing to supply the necessary information to the Fixture Secretary, will be fines £5-00.
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determines by the International Football Association Board.
Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. Suitable Changing Accommodation Must be avaible with the Home Team, Away Team and Match Referee all having separate Changing Rooms. The Match Referee must have separate Changing Room from Both Teams. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have the power to order the venue to be changed. The Management Committee shall have the power to decide whether the pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. All matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 70 minutes) is arranged by the Referee after consultation with the two Clubs’ Officials prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.The times of kick-off shall be fixed by Management Committee. Any club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding £5.00 or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine. Any team that persists in kicking off late after being fines three times in one season shall be fined £10.00 on each other occasion thereafter and may be requested to appear before the appropriate committee.Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. No match shall commence 30 or more minutes after the appointed time of kick-off. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used in all League and Cup games, Corner Flags, Field Correctly Marked Out, Half time Refreshment for the Referee, no First Aid Box, Failure to comply will result in a fine of £5.00 for each Offence.
(C) Any club wishing to postpone a fixture must do so through the League secretary, in writing giving at Minimum 28 Days notice. Having obtained the necessary permission, the postponing Club must inform the Secretary of the opposition, in writing, immediately. No applications will be accepted for any weeks after March 1st, unless teams are well advanced in their fixtures. Failure by a Club to comply with this Rule may incur all pitch and/or Referee costs incurred by the opposing team and may be dealt with by the Management Committee who may award the match to the opposition and/or impose a min fine of £25-00.
(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars. Any away clubs not informing the Chief Executive of non-compliance within this rule within seven days of the match being played will be considered equally at fault. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £5.00.
(E) Every Club shall play its strongest available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. Clubs that are deemed to have played a weakened side will have to appear in front of the League’s Management Committee to explain their actions.In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than 11 players they shall be fined £5.00 for each missing player. A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team for a Competition Match.
(F) The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the adandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management Committee for an abandoned match.
Above. Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents and match officials or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence: - First Team, Second Team,. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum not exceeding £25.00 or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.Notice of a Club being unable to fulfil any match must be given to the Fixture /Referees Secretaryand the League Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club, and the Match Officials. Any Club failing to comply will be fined £5.00 for each Breach of this Rule. The defaulting Club must confirm postponements in writing to the fixture secretary immediately. Compliance with this rule does not affect the non-playing of the match to be dealt with under the appropriate rules.The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Clubs member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams and their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action, as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.The referee shall be informed of the names of the 5 substitutes not later than 5 minutes before the start of the match. Failure to do so will result in a Fine of £5-00.A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
(H) The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.
(I) Each home club shall supply four corner posts with suitable flags attached, also A suitable assistant referee, defaulting clubs will be fined £5-00 for each offence.

(J) No alcoholic drink to be consumed on or around the touchline, goal line or within the dressing rooms. Failure to comply and the matter will be dealt with by the Management Committee in accordance with rule 5 (r) and (s).
(K) Both teams shall have available throughout every game a supply of fresh water contained in a suitable application container and a first aid kit which must include the following items: scissors, melolin pads, disposable gloves, crepe bandage, medi-preps, disinfectant wipes, woven bandage, selection of plasters, Vaseline, intubating tube (airway), Brooks or laedel pocket mask and Betadine antiseptic cream. Clubs failing to meet this Rule shall be fined £5-00.
(L) Every team in the League must register with the League Secretary at Least 14 days before the start of the season, one club official or player who has completed the F.A. Emergency Course on Resuscitation and Life-saving or similar course.
(M) No match between unaffiliated teams shall be played on grounds, which are under the jurisdiction of clubs, which are registered with the F.A. or DCFA. Clubs wishing to play scratch matches or friendly matches must first obtain permission seven days prior to the match from the Fixture Secretary. Clubs not complying with this Rule will be dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.
(n) Each Affiliated Club shall be responsible for ensuring that its Directors, Committee, Players, Officials, Employers, Servants, Representatives, Spectators and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and refrain from violent, threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language whilst attending at or taking part in a Match in whichit is involved, under the direction of the Durham Sunday Football League, or representing the League in an Outside Competition, whether on its ground or elsewhere; and that no spectators or unauthorized persons are permitted to encroach onto the pitch area, save for reasons of crowd safety, or to throw missiles, bottles or other potentially harmful or dangerous objects at or on to the pitch, Failure to comply with the Rule will result in a Min Fine of £25-00
11.REPORTING RESULTS
(A) The General Secretary must receive within 72 Hours of the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. Each Club must then send the Fully Completed Form to the General Secretary of the League for each game played to arrive no later than 72 Hours after the game took place. The Result Team Sheet to include Both Sides Teams, Referee’s Mark, Goalscorers and any Dismissals or Cautions administered during the Game. The Bottom Section of the Result Team Sheet to be sent to the Fixture Secretary Fully Completeted Containing the Match Result and the Referee’s Mark for each game played to arrive no later than 72 Hours after the game took place. Clubs failing to Comply with this will be fined £5-00.
Failure to do so will incur a fine of £5.00 for each offence and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.
(B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of all League and Cup results and postponements to the Press Officer and Fixture/Referee’s Secretary, or nominated alternative, by no later than 2.30p.m. On the date of the match played. When telephoning results to the Press Officer, Home Clubs must name both teams’ goalscorers as indicated on the Match Result Card. In the case of evening games by 9.00p.m. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule will be fined £5-00. Any Club completing in County Cups, or Outside Competitions irrespective of venue, must telephone their results in by the appropriate time. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule will be Fined £5-00
Any Club that persists in not complying with ALL requirements of this Rule and having been Fined three times in one season, shall be Fined £10-00 on each further occasion thereafter and requested to appear before the appropriate Committee.
(C) When a match is cancelled immediately prior to kick off for whatever reason, then a Match result Card should be completed in entirety and forwarded to the League Secretary either by the Home Club or, if necessary, by the Away Club. Clubs in default will be fined £5-00 for each offence.
12.DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 points to be awarded for a win and 1 point for a drawn match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.

In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings will be decided in the following order:-
(i) Goal difference
(ii) Most goals scored
(iii) Most games won
(iv) Deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.
(B) Automatic promotion and relegation may be applied for the first 2 and last 2 teams in each Division.
(i) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season may be filled on any of the following ways:
(a) Retention of otherwise relegated teams(s)
(b) Additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Divisions below
(c) Election of new clubs.
(ii) The last 2 teams in the lowest Division shall retire, but be eligible for re-election.
(iii) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season, then the record of such team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
(iv) Any Club will only be permitted to have one team in any Division.
13.REFEREES
(A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association.
(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a suitable Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed
(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5.00 being imposed on the defaulting Team.
(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of the ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.
(E) Referees appointed under this rule shall be entitled to charge As per Durham County Football Association Rules fully inclusive of any travelling expenses and Assistant Referees appointed the Management Committee shall be entitled to charge As per Durham County Football Association Rules full inclusive of travelling expenses. Where Assistant Referees are appointed for League games, their fees will be shared between both Clubs. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees prior to the commencement of the game. Match Fee’s for Referee’s will be decided each Season by the Durham County Football Association.The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses before the match.
(F) 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 half fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee.
(G) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may have his name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which he is registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined £5.00 and/or dealt with, as the Management Committee shall determine.
Any club deeming it necessary to mark a referee 50or less, must submit a full explanation in writing to the League’s General Secretary, within five days of the completion of the match. Any Club failing to submit a written explanation for the low marking of a referee with the Team Sheet will be fined £5-00.The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association.
(J) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.Referee’s in the League will be supplied with Match Report forms these forms will indicate any Breach of the League Rules, the Referee will return the Form to the League’s General Secretary for every game they have refereed in the League.Referee’s with More than 10 Games in the League’s jurisdiction will eligble for a League Cup Final at the end of the Season, the Referee’s for the Finals will be determined by the Marks given during the Season.
14.CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB/TEAM
(A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Chief Executive in writing by 31st March each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £25.00.
All clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing on the appropriate forms, to the League Secretary by the last Sunday in April.
(B) (i) A club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fined a Minimum £25.00 per team and shall also be liable for its
Share of any call, which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(ii) In the event of a team withdrawing and/or disbanding during the course of the season, the Club will be fined a Minimum £25.00
(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the Annual General Meeting held not late than 30th June. The Competition shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements.
(D) In the event of a Member Club, which is an un-incorporated association, withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the Competition.
In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.
15.PROTESTS AND APPEALS
(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or
Interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in the case where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the General Secretary within 4 days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
(D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the General Secretary a sum of £15.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
(E) All parties to a protest of complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received 7 days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information, which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
16.BOARD OF APPEAL
Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player, against whom action is taken, may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Chief Executive of the Durham County Football Association, including a fee or £25.00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
17.EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS MISCONDUCT, CLUBS OFFICIALS, PLAYERS
(A) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable upon a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
(C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducting or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
18.TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.
(A) A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition were discontinued for any cause the Cup or Trophy shall be returned to the Donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide.
The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy: -
“We A--------------------------- and B-------------------, the Chairman and Secretary of ------------------------ FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of ----------------- Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Chief Executive by the First Day in April. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.” Failure to return trophies as prescribed in this rule will result in a fine of £50.00 being imposed.
The winning Club shall pay for an inscribed shield to be placed on the plinth. Failure to return Trophies by specified date will result in a fine of £50.00 being imposed.
(B) Trophies will be provided for winners and runners-up in all competitions, under the jurisdiction of the league. Clubs wishing to apply for extra plaques or medals must do so by 14th May in each season, and a maximum of seven will be allowed, which must be paid for by the clubs concerned.
(C) The League Management Committee at their absolute discretion may award a League tie and/or Badge to any person whose activities within the framework of the League is considered to be of outstanding merit.
(D) Trophies for players sent off in final ties may be withheld at the discretion of the Management Committee.
19.SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
All amendment of Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority.
Upon receiving a requisition signed by two two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the League Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.
At least 7 days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.Any Continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given be fined £15.00. All Clubs must sign the Attendance Register.
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.
20.ALTERATION TO RULES
Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the League Secretary by 30th April in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 14th May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the General Secretary by 28th may. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change in Rule shall be carried if 51% of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.A copy of proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.
21.RULES BINDING ON CLUBS
(A) Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.
(B) Definition of Club. The term “Club” as mentioned in any of these Rules shall mean Team. Thus a Club having two or more teams entered shall consider them as separate units for the purpose of Payment, Financial Obligations and Cup Competitions.
22.FINANCE
(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.
(B) All capital expenditure in excess of £200.00 shall be approved by the League’s Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 14th May
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
23.MEETINGS
(A) General Meetings and to be held at the Headquarters or as otherwise Notified by the League’s General Secretary of the Time and venue.
(B) Management Meetings will be held at Monthly intervals and League Clubs Meetings three times per year, in July, November, and March. Exclusive of the Annual General Meeting.
(C) Any Club failing to fully attend at any Club Meeting/League Management Committee Meeting shall be Fined £15-00 All Clubs must sign the Attendance Register.
(D) Should a Club wish to raise any item under Any Other Business, it must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary to be received at least seven days before the Meeting. Should the Chairman consider the matter raised as Urgent this may at the sole discretion of the Chairman, be dealt with at the Meeting.
24.MATCHES OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE LEAGUE
(A) Matches with Foreign Associations, Leagues and Clubs. For matches during the playing season, applications for release from League and Cup fixtures must be made to the General Secretary in writing at least 28 days before the date of the intended match(es). Clubs failing to adhere to the above will be dealt with by the League Management Committee as they deem fit.
(B)Any Team wishing to participate in any competition outside the jurisdiction of this League should notify the General Secretary prior to the start of the playing season.
25.LEAGUE CUPS AND FINALS
The Cup Finals of the League’s Subsidiary Competitions within the League will be Played at a Venue Nominated by the League’s Management Committee, The Day, Kick Off Time and Admission Charges will solely be decided by the General Secretary and Fixture Secretary. The Team named on First on the Fixture List will occupy the Home Changing Rooms and will have First Choice of Colours for the Final, Both Teams in the Final will be at the Venue at Least 40 Mins before the advertised Kick Off Time, Both Teams Will Be allowed 20 Players/Officials in to the Ground Free Of Charge, any others accompanying the Team will have to pay the admission fee for that Final. Both Clubs to Present the Match Referee with two Match Balls 15 Mins before the Kick Off Time. Clubs must be on best Behaviour, any Damage reported to the League Management Committee will result in that club being heavily fined and possibly removed from the League. The Venues for the Final will Have Dug Outs for the use of Teams, 5 Substitutes, plus First Aid, Manager and Coach only permitted in these Dug Outs no one else. If a Final Tie the scores are level at the end of 90 mins then two equal periods of extra time will be played, should one of the Teams score in this Period then they will be classed as the winners. Should the extra Time not produce a Winner then each Team will then take Penalties to determine the Result. Clubs must have Strips numbered 1-11 and Substitutes 12-16 numbers on Shirts must correspond with the Numbers on the Team sheet, showing the Player who is wearing that Number.
All Finals are covered by the General Rules of The Durham Sunday Football League.
League Cups and Finals
All finalists to be responsible for 35 match programmes at a cost determined by the Management Committee, which should be paid for before the final. Cup Final programmes; All semi-finalists to submit all relevant details of their team for entry in the Final programme to the Records Officer by Mail or email no later than 4 days before their respective Semi-final. Failure to do so will result in the Club being fined £10.

26. League Presentation Night
The League’s Presentation Night will held at A Venue that will be decided by the League’s Management Committee, Awards at the Presentation Night, will be decided by the League’s Management Committee subject to the League’s Funds allowing these awards. Clubs, who fail to show at the Presentation Evening, could be liable to loose any award that may have been given.
(a)Players of the Year.A trophy shall be awarded to a player from each division whom the Management Committee contend is most suitable and which shall be known as Player of the Year Trophy. League games only to count for this award.Subject to Funds being avaible.
(b) Secretary of the Year,A trophy shall be awarded to the Secretary of a club from each division whom the Management Committee shall select and shall be known as the Secretary of the Year Award. Subject to Funds being avaible.


27.League Website
(A) The Durham Sunday Football League maintains an internet site on the Worldwide Web known as “www.ddsl.org.uk”. The intention of the site is that it is used to promote the game of association football but more importantly the good name of Durham Sunday Football League.
(B) During the close season certain features of the website will be offline whilst they are updated. Clubs must understand that this maintenance is
Necessary to ensure that the site is prepared for the next season.
(C) (i) The Durham Sunday Football League cannot be held responsible for any missing or corrupt functionality within the website that leads to any loss that may arise from such occurrences whatsoever.
(ii )Furthermore, it must be appreciated that for reasons outside the control
Of the Durham Sunday Football League the website may be unavailable or certain parts may be changed or made unavailable without advance warning. The Durham Sunday Football League cannot be held liable for any loss that may arise from such occurrences whatsoever.
(iii) All persons use this website at their own risk.
28 INDEMNITY CLAUSE
All Clubs, Club officials, players and supporters of Member Clubs owe a duty of care, to their opponent Clubs, Club officials, players and supporters and members of the Public who are in the proximity of the game and should ensure that any action they take are not liable to cause injury or embarrassment. The Durham Sunday Football league, its officers, referees and servants cannot be held liable for any injury arising howsoever caused to any of its Member Clubs, Club officials, players, supporters or referees.
29 Durham County Football Assocoation Form 50
Any Club causing a game to be postponed due to being suspended by Durham County Football Association for lack of administration shall be fined a Minimum of £25, have 3 points deducted from
Their league records and the game will be awarded to the opposing club
30 League Insurance
All Clubs in the League Must enter the Leagues Insurance Scheme or Each Club must produce a copy of their current insurance policy, covering injury to players during all games within the League. Clubs not entering the Leagues Insurance Scheme to produce a copy of the policy is to be handed to the League Treasurer before 1 s t July each year or on renewal .Clubs will not be allowed to play without insurance as above. Any club causing a game to be postponed due to not producing/having insurance cover shall be fined £25.

Cup Competitons within the League
1. The Competition
The Competitions shall be designated The League Cup, Plate Trophy, The Alan Smith Memorial Trophy, The Presidents Trophy the Cup Winners Cup and The Guards Cup.
2. Ownership
The Custodian of Trophies of the League shall be for all intents and purposes the legal owner of the Cup in Trust for the League.
3. Control and Management
The entire management and control of the Competitions shall be vested in the Durham and District Sunday Football League Management Committee, who shall delegate the work to the Competition Sub Committee, who shall have power to deal with any matter for which no provision has been made in these Rules. Except where the words ‘Secretary of the Durham and District Sunday League’ are used the words ‘Competitions Secretary’ shall mean the Secretary from whom the Club/Team received the competition draw.
4. Club Eligibility
(a) All Clubs in membership with the Durham and District Sunday League must enter the League Cup, Alan Smith Memorial Trophy. Clubs below and Not Including the Premier Division will play in the Guards Cup. Clubs Below and not including the Premier Division and First Division will play in the Presidents Trophy. All Clubs that loose in the First Round of the Alan Smith Memorial Trophy and League Cup will plate in the Plate Trophy. All Clubs that were successful in winning a Cup in the previous Season will play in the Cup Winners Trophy.
(b) The Competition’s Sub Committee may reject the entry of any Club, if they deem such a course advisable.
5. Qualification of Players
A player shall be eligible to play in the Competition providing he possesses the following qualifications:-
(a) He is a bona fide player of the Club/Team for the current season.
(b) A bona fide player is one who is a registered player for that Club/Team which is affiliated to the Durham and District Sunday Football League.
(c) He must have played in at least five (5) games sanctioned by the Durham and District Sunday Football League for his Club/Team to be eligible to play in either the semi-finals or final of a Knock-Out Competition except where a player has registered on a Player Registration Form dated prior to 15th October.
(d) Players playing in the Competition may play for only one Club or one Team of a Club in any season, i.e. first or reserve.
(e) Clubs shall be fined £15.00 (per player) if found to have played an ineligible or suspended player(s). In addition to the fine the Competition Sub Committee, may in cases where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to any Clubs, shall be empowered to order to order the result of the match to be recorded and award the tie to the winner, order the match to be replayed or the Club(s) expelled from the competition. The offending Club(s) may also be responsible for any expenses incurred and the Competition Sub Committee may also impose an appropriate penalty against the player(s).
(f) No player shall be eligible for more than one team in each of the Knock-Out Competitions in any one season.
(g) The playing of an unregistered or suspended player in an earlier round shall not validate that player’s eligibility.
6. The Drawing
The names of the Clubs/Teams entered in the Competition shall be placed in one lot, unless otherwise decided, and drawn there from in couples. The two Clubs/Teams drawn together shall compete with each other; the names of the winning Clubs/Teams in the round shall be drawn together in the same way, and so on until the Final Tie is played when the winning Club/Team shall hold the cup for the current year. The first drawn Club/Team of each couple shall play on their recognised home ground, except where if otherwise decided by the Competition Sub Committee and in the Final. If the ground of the first drawn Club/Team is not available, other than adverse weather conditions or more Senior County Cup games, on the fixed date, the match must be played on their opponent’s ground.If a match is not completed, and neither side is at fault, the match will be played on a ground decided by the toss of a coin, on the day of abandonment, by the referee. If one or both sides were at fault for non-completion of the tie, the Competitions Sub Committee shall adjudicate. The duration of each match shall be one hour and a half and the referee shall allow for any time which he considers has been wasted either owing to accident or other cause. The interval at half-time shall not exceed 5 minutes, except by permission of the referee. If a match is a tie after one hour and a half, an extra thirty (30) minutes must be played and if the match is still a tie, the match will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with regulations laid down by the International Board. Subject to any decision in accordance with paragraph three (3) of this Rule, a match, if not played, shall be replayed.
In the Semi-Finals and the Final, if the game is a tie after one hour and a half, and extra thirty (30) minutes must be played and if the match is still a tie, the match will be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with regulations laid down by the International Board.
7. Notice of Drawing
Immediately after each drawing the Secretary of the Durham and District Sunday Football League or the Secretary of the Competitions Sub Committee shall intimate the result to the Clubs/Teams drawn and the date on which the ties must be played. The date of all rounds shall be fixed by the Competitions Sub Committee, but may be altered at any time if the Competitions Sub Committee so determine.
8. Notice of Result
Each Club shall give notice of the result in accordance with Durham and District Sunday Football League Rule 11.
9. Trophy Agreement
On receipt of the Cup all responsibility of such Cup is that of the said Club/Team as detailed in Durham and District Sunday Football League Rule 18.
10. Medals
In addition to the Cup the DADSFL shall have power to award medals to members of the winning team and the runners-up if the funds of the DADSFL permit. When a player is sent from the field of play for misconduct during the Final the memento shall be withheld until the Competitions Sub Committee have considered whether the player shall receive such memento.
11. Referees
Registered Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Competitions Sub Committee and the sanctioning Association. The Competition Sub Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or on application by two competing Clubs/Teams, appoint Registered Referees, if available, as Assistant Referees to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Club/Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee (not a named substitute player). Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10.00 being imposed on the defaulting Club/Team.
12. Expenses
Match Officials appointed under Rule 13 shall be paid a fee as set by Durham County Football Asociation. Travelling expenses shall be in accordance with the scale detailed by by Durham County Football Asociation.
13. Powers of the Competition Sub Committee
(a) The Competition Sub Committee shall have the power to apply, act upon, and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for by the Rules. Unless stated to the contrary in the foregoing paragraphs 1 to 8, the Laws of the Game, the International Board Decisions relating thereto, and Rules governing the Durham and District Sunday Football League, in so far as they can, shall apply to the Competition.
(b) The decisions of the Competition Sub Committee, on all relating to the Durham and District Sunday Football League Knock-Out Competition shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal.
(c) All fines and costs shall be paid to the Durham and District Sunday Football League within fourteen (14) days of the date of notice to the Club/Team. Any Club/Team failing to pay any fine and/or cost shall be dealt with by the Durham and District Sunday Football League Management Committee as provide for by DADSFL Rule 5 (h) and (i).
TROPHY and SHIELD COMPETITION RULES (WHEN INCLUDED IN SEASON’S CALENDAR)
The ALAN SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘Alan Smith Memorial Trophy’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.

The League Knockout Plate Trophy
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘League Knockout Plate Trophy’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.
The Guards Cup
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘Guards Cup’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.
THE PRESIDENTS Trophy
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘The Presidents Trophy’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.
THE Cup Winners Cup
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘The Cup Winners Cup’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.
THE League Cup
1. The Competition shall be designated the ‘The League Cup’.
2. The Competitions Sub Committee shall determine the organisation of the competition from season to season.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
League Disciplinary Policy
1. Except where otherwise detailed all correspondence, concerning League business, including complaints and protests must be received in writing, (email version acceptable) signed by either the Club Chairman or Secretary, must be addressed to the League Secretary. If correspondence, complaints or protests are received from a club member who is not the Chairman or Secretary, it will be returned to the sender explaining the correct procedure to be followed.
2. If a complaint is received from a member of the public, an acknowledgement will be sent notifying the individual of our agreed policy, informing them they would need to make the complaint through the appropriate channels direct to the Durham County FA.
3. All complaints to be responded to by an acknowledgement of receipt, this would indicate the complaint will be investigated by the Durham County FA.
5. All queries concerning fixtures should be addressed to the Fixture Secretary and the correct contact for Player Registration queries is the League Secretary. The Official Match Record Team Sheet should also be sent to the League Secretary by either First Class mail, Email Version Acceptable or Hand Delivered, to arrive no later than the following matchday Wednesday as he is responsible for the league table and individual player’s record of appearances, goals scored and discipline (red and yellow cards accumulated). All matters concerning fines should be addressed to the League Secretary , please note the League cannot take action on fines distributed by Durham County FA..
Please remember that this league always starts at 10.30am (excepting when pitch availability demands a later start) and then only when authorised by the Fixture Secretary. It is one of the major points you need to get across to your players to avoid unwanted fines for late kick-ofs.
Please pay Referees Fees promptly. The referees should be paid their match fee plus travel expenses immediately after the match. Referees don’t like to ask for their money and your prompt action will avoid embarrassment. The referee’s fee and expenses is the duty of the home team for League matches in DADSFL Cup and Trophy games.
Your matchday results must be phoned in to the Fixture Secretary by the home team as soon as possible after the match, certainly No later than 1.30pm. County Cup results must also be phoned through to the Fixture Secretary No later than 1.30pm.
The majority of league business will be conducted with club secretaries by email. Receipt of all emails titled ‘DADSFL Formal Notification’ MUST be acknowledged to the originating Officer.
Fines Administered by the League
If your club falls foul of the League Rules, you WILL receive a fine, administered by the league’s appointed Disciplinary Officer. If you feel the fine is unjust, you should take the following action:
1) Pay the fine in full by the date stated on the fine notice.
2) Adopt the procedure outlined in Rule 15 (d).
3) All correspondence must come from the club chairman or secretary.
4) Please do not ignore the fine, or refuse to pay. This comes under rule as failing to deal with league business and it incurs a further fine. There have been some past incidences of clubs sending in appeal letters without paying the fine or appeal fee and some letters of appeal have not come from the club chairman or secretary. Should your appeal be successful, your appeal fee and fine are returned in full.
Please bear in mind that dealing with the Competition should be the same as dealing with the County FA. They would not accept any appeal from anyone but the club chairman or secretary and no appeal fee means no appeal hearing.
Code of Conduct
Clubs are required to acquaint all their members with the DADSFL’s Code of Conduct for Football.
The provision to introduce a Durham and District Football League Code of Conduct for Football is contained in Rule 21.
Preface
Football is one of the National Games. All those involved with the game at every level and whether as a player, match official, manager, administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance of the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains high. The code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of the Durham and District Sunday Football League. The DADSFL Code does not supersede The Football Association ‘A Code of Conduct for Football as detailed in the DCFA Handbook, but has been introduced to address areas of major concern and to protect the image and integrity of the Durham and District Sunday Football League.
Definition
In general terms, a code of conduct is a document that advises a group of people on their accepted level of behaviour or discipline. It is necessary within sport in order to protect participants through agreement of a set of safety procedures. The code can also serve to provide guidance on ‘fair play’ in order to maintain a correct sporting ethos.
DADSFL Code of Conduct for Football
In association with the FA Respect Programme
1. A Participant shows understanding of respect of the Laws of the Game.
2. A Participant supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive.
3. A Participant behaves on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results.
4. A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in a manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.
5. A Participant shall not carry out any act which is discriminatory by reason of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex sexual orientation or disability.
Football Debt Recovery
The Durham and District Sunday Football League will adopt the procedure as detailed in the Durham County Football Association Handbook to recover unpaid fines, costs and monies owed to the League.
1: Associations are required to operate a system to collect football debts on behalf of Affiliated Clubs, Affiliated Leagues and Other Associations.
2: Football debts are defined as those costs arising directly from football activity, and as such would include disciplinary costs (e.g. fines), match costs (e.g. match fees), and playing expenses (e.g. pitch hire). Incidental costs (e.g. fund raising activities, club subscriptions) do not fall within the scope of Football Debt Recovery.
3: Associations may take action against individuals or groups of individuals. Individuals may be pursued where they are refusing to reimburse an individual club for a qualifying debt. Where a club has folded its qualifying debts may be apportioned against its registered members and officers, and action taken against them individually to recover the club’s debt.
4: Where a club’s debts are apportioned to individuals they must then be treated as individuals, and any disciplinary action must not be linked to the recovery of the total debt.
5: It is incumbent on the creditor to take reasonable steps to recover the debt before asking their parent Association to take action. This would normally include approaching the debtor personally as well as contacting them in writing to seek payment.
6: The Parent Association should be approached as soon as it is clear there is a problem. In all cases this should be within 28 days of formal payment being requested, and 56 days of the debt being incurred.
7: Upon receipt the Association must immediately take steps to verify whether the debt is valid and notify the creditor and debtor of its decision.
8: Upon being satisfied that a qualifying debt exists the Association must apportion the debt on a pro-rata basis and notify the individual or individuals concerned. The Association may add an Administration Fee (not exceeding £8) to each individual’s pro-rata debt.
9: Upon being notified, an individual must pay the debt within 21 days of the issue of the notification letter or appeal in accordance with the appeal procedures. If payment or appeal is not received the individual will be fined an additional sum, currently £20, be suspended sine die until the debt and fine is paid and he is notified that the suspension has been lifted. This suspension will commence from (and include) the 22nd day after the date the notification was issued.
Racism
Durham & District Sunday Football League supports the aims and objectives of the 'Lets Kick Racism Out of Football' campaign.As the worlds most popular sport football allows us to show unity between different communities. However, many players from ethnic minorities continue to face abuse and harrassment because of their background.Players, referees or administrators are reminded that racial abuse on the field of play is a red card offence. Teams, leagues or individuals who exclude, abuse or harrass because of race or religion will face having their registration cancelled.
Players suffering racial abuse are encouraged to report it to referees on the field of play and to the Secretary or Chairman of their League. The County should also be informed immediately. We all have a responsibility to tackle racism in football.
DON'T LET IT RUIN OUR GAME
For advice on what action to take if you are involved in an incident of racial abuse call Kick It Out, football's anti-racism campaign on 0800 169 9414
FA’s Respect Programme
Code of Conduct: Adult Players
On and off the field, I will:
* Adhere to the Laws of the Game
* Display and promote high standards of behaviour
* Promote fair play and behave within the spirit of the Laws of the Game
* Always respect the match officials’ decisions
* Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
* Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language and behaviour
* Avoid bullying, intimidation and poor behaviour
* Speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my manager/coach with respect
* Ask my referee to talk to the referee if I have a problem relating to the game
* Remember we all make mistakes
* Shake hands with the opposing team and the match officials at the end of every game.
Captain taking responsibility
As a captain, you have no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game, but you do have a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of your team. To promote Respect the referee will work with you, as the team captain, to manage the game and the players effectively. Even if you are some way from an incident when the referee feels he/she needs you involved in discussion with a player with a player, the referee will call you over. This will ensure that, as the team captain, you remain the point of contact for the referee.
How Captains can help install Respect:
* Ensure you wear a Respect captain’s armband – these will be provided by your league to your club
* Together with your opposition captain, make yourself known to the referee before the game. He/she will as ask if you are clear about your responsibilities
* Ensure all your players what the can/cannot do in relation to the referee and what is meant by ‘unwanted behaviour’. No-ones trying to curb enthusiasm – just instil more discipline. This can only benefit your match – and football as a whole.
* Ensure your vice-captain (appoint one if you haven’t got one) is aware of these rules, in case you are unavailable for a game, or have to leave the field.
* Ensure every player in your team has signed the Respect Code of Conduct.
Working with the ref
Given you, as the captain, is the main point of contact for the referee under Respect, it’s important you understand what referees have been asked to do: Firstly, the referee has been requested to work with you to manage the players and the game effectively. However, in his/her own right, the referee must control the game by applying the Laws of the Game. This includes dealing firmly with any show dissent by players (e.g. not to move away from the incident, but stay and deal with it).
The type of behaviour which often gives rise to problems in matches, and where captains and referees need to work together, can be described as ‘harassment’ and ‘challenging behaviour’ towards the referee.
Here are some examples of each:
Harassment:
* Running towards the referee in an aggressive manner
* Players surrounding the referee to protest a decision
* Repeatedly asking questions about decisions in an attempt to influence the referee or ‘undermine his/her responsibilities
Challenging:
* Continually asking the referee questions about decisions about decisions made obviously in an attempt to undermine his/her position
* Passing comment to other players about a referee’s decision-making
* Aggressively running at a referee to object decisions
* Repeatedly moaning at the referee about decisions
* Gestures that obviously are made in a derogatory manner, such as a shaking of the head or waving the hand
DADSFL Code of Conduct for Football
* A Participant shows understanding of and respect of the Laws of the Game
* A Participant supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive way
* A Participant behaves on and off the field of play in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be the players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results
* A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in a manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour
* A Participant shall not carry out any act which is discriminatory by reason of ethnic, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability
Fairplay League
List of Offences and Points:-
A Late Match Sheet 10
B Match Sheet Error 5
C Failure to ring Secretary with result 5
D Late Kick Off 5
E No Corner Flags / No Match Ball 10
F Late Confirmation Referee / Opponents 10
G No First Aid Kit 10
H Players Cautioned 5
I Non Attendance at Meeting 20
J Non Confirmation Referee / Opponents 10
K Unplayed Game 50
L Unpaid Fines 10
M Player Dismissed 10
N Club Misconduct 50
O Ineligible Player 20
P Other offences not listed 10
Q Appearance on County Form 50 50

1. Any Club exceeding 100 points will be fined £10.
2. Any Club exceeding 200 points will be fined £20.
3. Any Club exceeding 300 points will be fined £30.
4. Any Club exceeding 400 points will be fined £40
5. Any Club exceeding 450 points will be asked to appear before the Management Committee at its next meeting and will be dealt with as the Management Committee deems to be necessary.
6. All money raised from these fines will be paid back to Clubs with the best Conduct records at the end of each season. The awards will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.

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