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1. Officers, Committee Members and Delegates attending any meeting shall sign the attendance register.
2. No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of 12 members is present and at a Management Committee Meeting unless a quorum of 5 members is present.

3. . Each member shall stand when he addresses the meetings and give his name and Club. He must resume his seat whenever the Chairman rises. No member shall rise when the Chairman is speaking.
4. The Chairman’s decision shall be final on any point or order.
5. No other member shall be allowed to speak until a proposition has been moved and seconded.
6. No speaker shall be allowed to address the meeting for a period longer than five minutes - except the mover of a proposition who may speak for a period not exceeding ten minutes.
7. The mover of a resolution shall have the right to reply before a motion is put, but no other member shall be allowed to speak more than once on the resolution unless he is asking a question.
8. The motion, “the question now is put”, can be moved at any time and if accepted by the Chairman, shall be put at once. The mover and seconded of this shall not speak upon the original motion.
9. A motion, “We proceed with the next business” may be moved at any time, and if seconded, shall be put at once from the Chair.
10. The Chairman shall not speak personally on any motion without vacating the Chair.
11. These Standing Orders to be strictly adhered to at all times.

Notes for the Guidance of Club Secretaries
Study the League and Cup Rules carefully and abide by them – it will be cheaper in the long run! Listed below are points which should be observed and adhered to throughout the season.
1. Always ensure your Club is represented at League Meetings.
2. After checking that fixtures have not been duplicated or repeated and that Clubs sharing grounds are not down to play at home on the same date, acknowledge receipt of fixtures to the Secretary immediately.
3. In the event of a club being involved in Durham County Football Association Cup matches, the Fixture Secretary should be informed immediately of that game. Where a County Cup replay is necessary, you must inform the Fixture Secretary, Referees Appointments Secretary and your scheduled opponents on the same day as the arrangements are known - i.e. 7 days before. Clubs failing to comply will be dealt with by the Management Committee.
6. Notify your opponents and the referee of best means of reaching your ground/changing rooms at least 5 days before the day of the match. It is also important to arrange what colours each team and the goalkeepers will be wearing to avoid a colour clash and delay the kick off, which will result in the offending club being fined.
7. On the day of the match, ensure that you have someone available to act as a Club Assistant to the referee, failure to do so will result in a fine being imposed.
8. It is a League Rule that you have to pay the referee his fee before the commencement of the game. This could be done at the same time as you give him your team sheet which has to be given to him before the scheduled kick off. A fine is imposed for failure to comply with the rule.
9. Complete and return the On Line Match Report within two days after the match,
10. Ring in the result and scorers for your team to the Match Reports Secretary before 2-00pm on the day of the match (9-00pm for evening games).
11. Study the rules of other Cup Competition your club plays in - they may differ from those of this League.
12. When signing on new players, ask them –
(a) If they are contract players - if they are they cannot play in this League,
(b) If they are under suspension from any administrative body,
(c) Have they already signed a registration form for a team in the Durham Sunday League?
(d) Have they signed on for teams in other Leagues and if so note which team and League,
(E) is a serving member of the armed forces,
(f) Has played or been registered to play for a club outside of England (incl. Scotland, N.Ireland, Wales & Eire). It is also important to know what teams a player has played for in previous seasons as he may unknowingly be under a County Suspension. Check the lists of suspended players sent to every club before the start of the season. If one of your players is listed, don't play him until he is clear to do so.
13. Make sure that you fully understand Rule 8 regarding the qualification and transfer of players.
14. If you have no telephone available, make sure you have someone who is willing to take messages for you and is reliable enough to pass them on.
15. Telephone messages to Officers of the League should be followed up by written confirmation in all cases. Clubs failing to do so will be dealt with by the Management Committee.
16. Clubs must not 'Hand Deliver' players Registration Forms to the home of the League Secretary. Clubs in breach of this rule will be fined £5. Clubs failing to enclose a Stamped, addressed Envelope with registration or transfer forms will be fined £5.00 Administration Charge.
17. The home of any Official of the League must not be visited without prior permission.
18. In the winter months, if pitches have been affected by frost, the kick off can be delayed for up to 30 minutes to allow time for the pitch to thaw out to enable the game to proceed. However, please note rule “10 (b) Referees will abandon a game which has not commenced 30 minutes after the appointed time.”

Useful Information / Reminders for Club Secretary’s
League Correspondence
Except where otherwise detailed all correspondence, concerning League business, including complaints and protests must be received in writing, (email version acceptable) signed by the Club Secretary, must be addressed to the Honorary League Secretary. If correspondence, complaints or protests are received from a club member who is not the Secretary it will be returned to the sender explaining the correct procedure to be followed. There have been some past incidences of clubs sending in complaints or protests without paying the appropriate fee. In such cases it will be returned to the sender explaining the correct procedure to be followed. 
Member of the Public
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 Club’s parent County FA.
Complaints
All complaints to be responded to by an acknowledgement of receipt, this would indicate the complaint will be investigated by the County FA.
Fixture Queries
All queries concerning fixtures should be addressed to the Fixture Secretary
Player Registration queries
The correct contact for Player Registration queries is the League Secretary.
All matters concerning fines
All matters concerning fines should be addressed to the League Treasurer. Please note the League cannot take action on fines distributed by Durham County FA.
Kick Off Times
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-offs.
Referees Fees
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 is the duty of the home team for League and Cup matches.
Phone Results
Your match day results must be phoned in to the Referee /Fixture Secretary by the home team as soon as possible after the match, certainly No later than 2 pm. County Cup results must also be phoned through to the Referee/Fixture Secretary No later than 2 pm.
League Business
The majority of league business will be conducted with club secretaries by email. Receipt of all emails MUST be acknowledged to the League Secretary.  
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 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 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.
FA’s Respect Code of Conduct


Clubs are required to acquaint all their members with the FA’s Respect Code.


All Clubs in this league have, by being accepted into our Constitution, signed up to the Football Association Respect programme. We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. The FA’s respect programme is aimed at tackling unacceptable behaviour across the whole game. Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for coaches, team managers, club officials and adult players.
FA’s Charter Standard
All Clubs in this league have, by being accepted into our Constitution, signed up to the Football Association Charter Standard programme. We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. Play your part and observe The FA’s Charter Standard for coaches, team managers, club officials and adult players.

Football Debt Recovery
The Durham 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.
Postponement of Matches
Problems in respect of the postponement of matches occur each season and in order to prevent difficult situations arising between clubs and between clubs and League Officials, the Management Committee has issued the following directive.
Played On the Day
Matches must be played as directed by the League on dates and at
Times specified, though the kick off time may be varied by prior arrangement only with the League Fixture Secretary, both participating teams and the referee. Original fixtures may only be postponed where teams are participating in Football Association, County Cup Competitions or in a match specially sanctioned by the
Football Association.
Weddings, Christenings, Pub/Club/School trips
Weddings, Christenings, Pub/Club/School trips, holidays, players playing for other teams or in trial matches are NOT considered valid reasons for postponing matches.
Winter Months
During winter months, adverse weather and dubious ground conditions are likely to bring the playing of matches into doubt. Club Officials are reminded that a decision as to the fitness of the pitch is entirely that of the appointed match referee and unless specifically requested to the contrary by the League Fixture Secretary or the Club Secretary under the circumstances detailed below, his decision as to
The fitness of the pitch should be made at the time he would normally make his pre-match inspection of the pitch. Should the referee call the match off at this point, he must be paid his half fee. However, in circumstances where the Home Club Secretary considers the condition of the pitch to be doubtful, in order to prevent unnecessary travelling by opponents, he should request an early inspection by the appointed referee or a registered referee who lives nearer to the ground. In such cases, the referee concerned must be paid his travelling expenses.
Unfit Pitch
If a referee declares the pitch unfit at any time, the Home Club Secretary must confirm his decision to the League Fixture Secretary immediately and the Home Club Secretary must communicate the decision immediately to the Visiting Club Secretary, the appointed referee (if applicable), the League Fixture Secretary and the Referees Appointments Secretary –
Early Inspection
Note that an “early” inspection means early on the day of the match, not Friday or Saturday. No club official can postpone a match.
Private Grounds
Clubs playing on their own or private ground who find the pitch unavailable due to a clash of fixture or another sub-letting, or the owner of the ground declaring it not fit for play, must either make alternate arrangements to play elsewhere at their expense or play on their opponents ground. Clubs failing to comply with any point in this directive will be dealt with as the Management Committee may decide.
Notes for the Guidance of Referees and Assistant Referees
1. All referees and assistants should make themselves conversant with all the rules of the Durham Sunday Football League
2. Open dates on postcards are always welcome, but must be cancelled with the Referees Secretary immediately they become filled elsewhere.
3. All appointments MUST be accepted or refused with 3 days of receipt (by return if possible). Do not wait for the home club to notify you. Send an email, or make a telephone call to the Secretary of the home club at least 5 days before the match, notifying him that you have been appointed. (However the match must be confirmed with you by the home club by 9pm on the Tuesday prior to the match.
4. F.A. and County F.A. appointments take precedence and release will be granted, but the Referees
Secretary must be notified immediately, in order that a substitute Referee may be appointed in good time.
It Should Be Noted That The Release Must Be Requested By The Wednesday Preceding The Sunday Fixture.
5. Once having accepted a Durham Sunday League appointment, release must be requested before any other appointment is accepted. Absence from a match without a satisfactory explanation may result in a report being sent to your County F.A.
6. Referees and assistants are required to turn out for all matches suitably attired with clean kit and boots. They are also to arrive at the ground of their match at least 30 minutes before kick-off.
7. The minimum duration of any match in this league (including cup matches) is 60 minutes (30 minutes each way).
8. All referees MUST return their official Report Sheet to the League Secretary within 3 days stating:-
(a) Exact time of kick-off (show the reason for the late start and the club responsible. You must also inform the club captains at the time that you will be reporting a late start.)
(b) Fair Play marks
(c) Club linesmen supplied
(d) The result
(e) Any other points, e.g. no corner flags, nets, balls, etc.
9. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the League or Referees Secretaries should you be in doubt or need advice on any matter.
Referees’ Mandatory Instructions to Club Linesmen
1. Ball In-Out of play and which direction, subject to Referee confirmation
2. Corner Kicks- To stand in position at corner flag to indicate ball out of play from corner
3. To indicate by flag signal when a player is offside. Criteria: - Interfering with play. Seeking advantage - engaged in active play - subject to Referees decision.
Club Linesmen
Club linesmen must report to the Referee five minutes prior to commencement of match to receive instructions.
All Club Secretaries to familiarise them selves with the League Rules as This can save their Clubs Fines.


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.





























League Rules Quick Reference to Rules
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 Representative Side
27. League Presentation Night 28.League Website 29 Indemnity Clause
30 Durham County Football Association Forms 50
31 Leagues Insurance
32. Cup Competitions within the League
33. Additional Information












Nomenture & Constitution 1. (A) This Competition 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 exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of 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 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 League Secretary before 1st April and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of £30.00 per team and League Fees of £45.00, 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 Management Committee shall decide the Annual Subscription and this is payable on or before the Annual General Meeting in each year. (Currently £45.00 per 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 by 1st April each Season its Durham County Football Association affiliation Fee for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00.
(F) All clubs newly elected to the League at the Annual General Meeting shall be granted probationary membership for the first season in the League and their full membership shall be confirmed or their probationary membership withdrawn at the next Annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the clubs.



3.Officers/ Management Committee The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, League Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fixture/ Referees Secretary, Assistant Fixture/ Referees Secretary , Press Officer and Web 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. The Vice Presidents has the right to attend and Vote at all League Management Meetings, and as such have the power to apply, act upon and enforce the League Rules.
(N. B. Auditors are not Officers).
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.
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 Twelve 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) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the League Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
(D) 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. All clubs must supply the League with an e-mail address

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. The Club will be sent a warning after 14 Days of the Unpaid Fine that if it is Not Paid within 7 Days the Club will be suspended from the League .Dishonoured cheques from Clubs will incur an additional administration charge of £30.00. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of these Rules will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose

(J) Members of the League 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. After 14 Days from the Original correspondence being sent if the Club still has not replied then it will be suspended from the League until they reply.

(N) 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.
(O) The Leagues gives power to the League 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.
(P) 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.
(Q) 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.
(R) 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.
(S) 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. 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. 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 £20-00 will be imposed, and any such other actions as that committee may determine.

(T) The League’s 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 is 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 and Secretary 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) ……………..------------------------------- Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Durham Sunday Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, 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 and/or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Durham County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition. (Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of Officers and Members)
8. Qualification of Players

(A)  Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are/are not permitted in this Competition. A contract player may only play for the Club that holds his contract.
It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form for that Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 12 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Her Majesties Forces
While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s regular Forces, a player must first obtain the consent of his/her Commanding Officer before signing a registration form to play for a Club. The Consent form must accompany the Registration, form the player /players can not play in the League until this process has been completed.

(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 be sent to the League secretary within 3 days of the game taking place. Unless retained on League Retainer form. A player has the right to cancel his registration with the league between 1st and 30th June and he must notify the League Secretary during that time.
For the purpose of the League Cup Ties. No player or players can be signed on the Line or Transferred on the Line, New Players who the club wants to play in a cup tie must be registered with the League 5 clear days before the Tie. The League Secretary to have the registration Form in his possession seven days prior to the game taking place., This also applies to transfers.

(C) 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.
(D) 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.
Club Retainer List
(e) A fee of £8.00 shall be paid for each player registered on the Club retainer list ,(£5.00 of this fee will be forwarded to the Durham County Football association for the Players personal Insurance Policy) 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. 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 player’s equipment, insurance and training may be reimbursed jeopardising a player’s 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”
(F) 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 £8-00 Fee to Register the Player in the League (a fully and correctly completed Competition Registration form in ink). £5-00 of the Fee to be paid to the Durham Football Association for the Players Insurance. Failure to include the Payment will result in the Player or players not being registered and Not having any Insurance and not being able to play in the League. 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 League Registrations Secretary. The Retained List and new Registrations in the League Combined each Player will cost £8.00 per player

(G) 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.) (H) 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 official’s 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) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the Registration of any player.
(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 )Transfers
The Fee for the Transfer form to be set by the League’s Management Committee
No player holding an official’s 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
No club shall be allowed to sign by transfer more than one player from the same club in any 28 day period
No Club shall be permitted to transfer in more than three players from the same Club during the current season unless permission is sought from the Management Committee.
A period of 21 days must elapse between the transfer of a player from team (A) to team (B) and the transfer of a subsequent player again from said team (A) to said team (B). No player will be allowed a transfer from any Club unless such player has been a member of that Club for at least 21 days
No player to be Transferred after 31st March each Season. No Transfers allowed until 6 weeks after the season has started. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.


Transfer (£8.00)
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(Plus Registration fee £3-00). (No Fee for the Insurance as player should have this when registering for his previous club)
Second Transfer (£13.00) a player requiring a second transfer during the same season the fee will be £10-00 (plus registration Fee £3-00)
Third Transfer (£23.00)
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. Once Sanctioned the Third Transfer if allowed a Fee 0f £20-00 will be charged (plus registration Fee £3-00.)

The FA Seven Day Approach Rule
Once the 7-day Approach Rule has been followed, the club/player can then complete a league transfer form. The Fa Seven Day Approach Rule You want to speak to or approach a player signed with another club about signing for you.

(ii) In the event of a team withdrawing and/or disbanding during the course of the season, the Club will be fined a Minimum £250.00 and any share of any unfulfilled Fixtures

(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) E) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.
  (i) All parties must have received _______days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should forward a deposit of £_______ and indicate such when forwarding the written response.

.
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, for which consent has been given by the sanctioning Association, 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 Secretary by _______________in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by ______________and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by _________________. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.  A proposal to change


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 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 League Secretary prior to the start of the playing season.

25. League Cups and Finals
(a)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 League 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.

(b)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

(C) To qualify a player must have played in at least four 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. For the purpose of the League Cup Ties. No player or players can be signed on the Line or Transferred on the Line, New Players who the club wants to play in a cup tie must be signed on 5 clear days before the Tie. The League Secretary to have the registration Form in his possession seven days prior to the game taking place., This also applies to transfers.

(D)The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes in two equal halves. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, extra time of 30 minutes in two equal halves shall be played. In the event of a draw after extra time, a result shall be obtained by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International
Board decision of 27th June 1970 and its subsequent amendments.

(e)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.
(f)All Finals are covered by the General Rules of The Durham Sunday Football League. League Cups and Finals

(g)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;

(h)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.

(i)Matches Having To Be Decided By the Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark
1. The referee shall choose the goal at which all the kicks shall be taken.
2. The referee shall toss a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss shall have the choice of taking the first or second kick.
3. a) Subject to the terms of the following paragraphs (c) and (d), both teams shall take FIVE kicks.b) The kicks shall be taken alternately.c) If, before both teams have taken FIVE kicks, one has scored more than the other could, even if it were to complete its FIVE kicks, the taking of kicks shall cease. (d) If after both teams have taken FIVE kicks, both have scored
the same number of goals, the taking of kicks shall continue in the same order until such time as both teams have taken an equal number of kicks (not necessarily FIVE more kicks) and one has scored a goal more than the other.
4. The team which scores the greatest number of goals, whether the number of kicks taken is in the terms of the foregoing paragraphs 3a, c or d shall be declared the winner of the match.
5. Only the players who are on the field of play at the end of the match shall take part in the taking of the kicks In the event of a team finishing the match with a great number of players than the other, that team shall reduce its number to equate to that of the other team and inform the referee of the player(s) who is/are leaving. This is the responsibility of the team captain.
6. Each kick shall be taken by a different player and not until all the eligible players of any team including the goalkeeper have each taken a kick may a player of the same team take a second kick.
7. Subject to the terms of paragraph 5, any player who is eligible may change places with the goalkeeper at any time during the taking of the kicks.
8. Other than the player taking the kick and the two goalkeepers, all players shall remain in the centre circle whilst the taking of kicks is in progress.
9. The goalkeeper who is the colleague of the kicker shall take up a position within the field of play, outside the penalty area at which the kick is being taken, behind the line which runs parallel with the goal line and at least 9.15 metres from the penalty mark.
10. Unless stated to the contrary in the foregoing paragraphs (1 to10) the Laws of Association Football and the International Board Decisions relating to them shall, in as far as they can. Apply to the taking of kicks from the penalty mark.

(j)Dug Outs for Cup Finals
It details instructions relating to the number of persons allowed in the 'dug-out/technical areas' at League Cup semi-finals and finals.
1. The only persons allowed in the dug-out/technical area are a maximum of five substitutes and three other persons who may be the Secretary, Trainer, Coach or any other nominated person.
2. All persons in the dug-out/technical area must remain seated at all times where such provisions are provided and in any case must not encroach within one metre of the touch line.
3. All other persons connected with the club or otherwise must remain outside the barrier surrounding the field of play.
4. The name of a person who shall be responsible for ensuring this directive is carried out must be given to and identified to the 'Management Committee Member in Charge' and to the referee and his assistants not less than 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the game.
5. The referee and his assistants (and fourth official where appointed) shall at all times take the appropriate action in accordance with the Laws of Association Football to ensure that the points made in sections 1, 2 and 3 are enforced. He shall also report to the Association any club that fails to comply with section

26. League Representative Side
The League Management Selection Committee shall be responsible for the selection of players/ Manager 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29 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.
30 Durham County Football Association 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
31 League Insurance
The Insurance is Administered Through the Durham County Football Association were the First Club the Player signs for each Season are Charged £5-00 per Player to Join the scheme, the Fee to be collected when the player signs a Registration form in the League, Failure to include the Payment will result in the Player or players not being registered and Not Having any Insurance. The Total Cost to sign a registration form in the League is £8-00 (£5-00 the League will pay to the Durham Football Association and £3-00 to register the player in the League) The Scheme is Compulsory for all Clubs.




32. Cup Competitions 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, Clubs that enter the Football Association Cup are exempt from this Competition Until the Second Round of the Competition, Alan Smith Memorial Trophy On Payment of an exemption fee of £15-00 a Club will be exempt for this Competition for the season, Clubs Must Notify the League before 1st July each Season. Clubs that enter the Football Association Cup are exempt from this Competition until the Second Round of the Competition; Clubs from the Leagues Premier Division will be exempt until the Second Round of Both Competitions.
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 excluding Premier League 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)To qualify a player must have played in at least four 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. For the purpose of the League Cup Ties. No player or players can be signed on the Line or Transferred on the Line, New Players who the club wants to play in a cup tie must be signed on 5 clear days before the Tie. The League Secretary to have the registration Form in his possession seven days prior to the game taking place., This also applies to transfers.

(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
In all Games sanctioned by the Durham Sunday Football League the referee’s fee will be £19.00 plus 40p per mile.
Should the match not take place owing to the ground being unfit, or weather conditions preventing, the referee shall receive half fee plus expenses as above.
Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees Half fee plus expenses. The Total Cost  for the Match Officials were both Referee and Assistants are Appointed to a Fixture .The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses before the match, failure to do so will result in a fine of £25. When three officials are appointed to a match the cost of all three officials shall be paid by the home club who will then be reimbursed half the total by the opposition before kick off.31
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) Alan Smith Trophy 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..
3.On Payment of an exemption fee of £15-00 a Club will be exempt for this Competition for the season, Clubs Must Notify the League Fixture Secretary before 1st July each Season.
4. Clubs from the Leagues Premier Division exempt until the 2nd Round of the Competition
5. Clubs that enter the Football Association Sunday Cup are exempt from this Competition until the Second Round of the Competition

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.
3. Clubs from the Premier Division will be excluded from this Competition.
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 Guards Cup All Clubs in the League Must enter this Competition except for Clubs in the Premier 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 Presidents Trophy All Clubs below the Premier and First Division in the League Must enter this Competition. 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.
3. Clubs that enter the Football Association Sunday Cup are exempt from this Competition until the Second Round of the Competition.
4. Clubs from the Leagues Premier Division exempt until the 2nd Round. 33. 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 match day 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-offs. 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 match day 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 harassment 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 harass 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 Clubs will be Issued with points during the Season for Offences the List of Offences and Points:- A Late Match Sheet 10 points B Match Sheet Error 5 points C Failure to ring Secretary with result 5 points D Late Kick Off 5 points E No Corner Flags / No Match Ball 10 points F Late Confirmation Referee / Opponents 10 points G No First Aid Kit 10 points H Players Cautioned 5 points I Non Attendance at Meeting 20 points J Non Confirmation Referee / Opponents 10 points K Unplayed Game 50 points L Unpaid Fines 10 points M Player Dismissed 10 points N Club Misconduct 50 points O Ineligible Player 20 points P Other offences not listed 10 points Q Appearance on County Form 50 50 points 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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