1. Nomenclature and Constitution

(A) This Competition shall be designated the Southern Amateur Football League and shall consist of not more than 60 Clubs who shall be Full Member Clubs.

All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA) and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on F.A. Form 'D' to the AFA. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be South East England.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the AFA and the constituent teams of Member Clubs shall be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 in number.

Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. competitions except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.

(B) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.

2. Entry Fee and Subscription

(A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition must be made in writing to the Secretary before 31st January in any year and must be accompanied by an Entry Fee of (see schedule item 1) that shall be returned in the event of non-election. At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present, applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting. The Entry Fee shall apply.

(B) The Annual Subscription shall be (see schedule Item 2) per team.

(C) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee and Annual Subscription have been paid.

(D) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing, by 1st August of its A.F.A. affiliation number for the forthcoming Season failing which they may be fined (see schedule item 31. Clubs must advise the Secretary, in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the competition.

3. The Management Committee

(A) The Management Committee shall be the President, President Elect, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registration Secretary., Referees' Secretaries, Match Secretary, Results' Secretaries, Team Secretary, Information Officer, FA Charter Standard League Co-ordinator, Disciplinary Officer, Sponsorship Officer and Challenge Cup Secretary along with other Management Committee members all 10 be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. The auditor is not a member of the Management Committee. Any elected Committee member may hold more than one elected position.

(B) The term of the President will consist of a fixed 3-year tenure.

4. Management (nomination and 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 other members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. All participants shall abide by the Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Association from time to time.

(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 Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than May 31st in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting.

(C) The Management Committee shall meet as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises. On receiving a resolution signed by two-thirds of the Officers and other Members of the Management Committee, the Secretary shall convene a special meeting of the Committee.

(D) Except where otherwise mentioned, all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.

5. Powers of Management

(A) The Management Committee may appoint such sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees. The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with matters within the competition but not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association.

(B) If necessary, the Management Committee 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 in the funds of the Competition at the end of the season.

(C) Each Member of the Management Committee and Vice Presidents 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 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, Official 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 (see rule 17). Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of the Competition rules. All breaches of the Laws of the Game and the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with EA. Rules by the appropriate Association.

(E) All decisions of the Management Committee and duly approved sub committees 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) Seven Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three 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 having failed 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 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. No participant under the age of 18 can be fined. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

(L) The Management Committee shall call a Council Meeting comprising the members of the Management Committee and no more than two representatives from each Club to discuss the general working of the League whenever they deem it necessary and shall do so at least once a year, preferably prior to the Annual General Meeting. At such a Council Meeting, there shall be no formal voting nor will minutes be taken. Clubs failing to attend may be liable to a fine (see schedule item 4).

(M) Where any club appoints at the start or during the season one member to complete the duties of the Club Secretary, Match Secretary and Referees' Secretary that club shall also provide the details of two emergency contact names and their contact details, which are also to be shown within the League Handbook.

6. Annual General Meeting

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 30th of June in each year. At this meeting, the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 delegates and 7 members of the League Management Committee 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 there from.

(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

(iv) To consider the re-election of the clubs filling the bottom two positions in the Senior Section.

(v) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).

(vi) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(vii) Election of Officers and the Management Committee.

(viii) Appointment of the Auditor.

(ix) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which due notice has been given).

(x) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.

(xi) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.

(B) The annual Statement of Accounts of the League, duly audited, shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting, and an unaudited copy of such Statement of Accounts shall be sent with a notice convening the meeting.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the A.F.A. within fourteen days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send no more than 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 such Meeting.

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or 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 hands unless a ballot is demanded by at least 20 of the delegates qualified to vote or if the Chairman so decides.

(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member.

(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given may be fined (see schedule item 4).

(I) Officers. Management Committee members and Vice Presidents shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

7. Agreement to be signed

The Chairman and the 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) of the __________________ Football Club have been provided With a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Southern Amateur Football League and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into Membership. to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept. abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance With Rule 16.

Any alteration of the Chairman and/or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the AFA and any other 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) (i) All players competing in matches under the Jurisdiction of the League must be registered playing members of their Club.

(ii) Before the start of the season, each Club must send a list of all its players, including those playing in veterans' or friendly match teams, to the League's Honorary Registration Secretary. The information required for each player is: full name, address and date of birth. Additional players may be registered on the day of a match provided that full information is received by the Honorary Registration Secretary within 4 days of the match.

(iii) The Registration of any player leaving a Club, by way of resignation, expulsion or for any reason whatsoever, must be cancelled by notification to the Honorary Registration Secretary within 7 days of the player leaving that Club.

(iv) The Management Committee shall determine all registration disputes.

(v) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any eligible player. The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition (subject to Rule 16).

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 with whom the player is registered.

(Note: Action under this clause shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the AFA, 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 less than two years from the date of the first offence.

(B) Clubs must keep a record of the players selected and those who actually played for each team to be available for production to the Management Committee as required.

(C) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registrations' Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one season only. In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player either with the same Club, another Club in the competition or within a Club in another competition his registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the League again either for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to re-register as required by this rule.

(D) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.

(ii) In addition, the team may have points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be appropriate.

(E) A player having taken part in matches for any Club, affiliated to any County Football Association, shall not be allowed to join a Club in the Competition without proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs.

(F) (i) A player shall not be allowed to play for more than one Club in the Competition during anyone season without the consent of the Management Committee.

(ii) A player may not be registered for a club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the 31st March except by special permission of the Management Committee. (G) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16. No participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

(H) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted to play in this Competition. No player registered with a F.A. Premier League or Football League Academy will be permitted to play in this Competition. A player registered with a Centre of Excellence may only play in this Competition subject to the Regulations of the Programme for Excellence.

(I) (i) In all matches in which it competes, each Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team In its 2nd XI and so on. Any cancellation of a match by any club will be from the bottom team upwards and will need the permission of the League Match Secretary. However, there will be instances where AFA Cup ties will take precedence over the playing of League games, therefore in cases of this nature It will be left to the discretion of the League Match Secretary to decide if the League game involving that Club's bottom team is cancelled.

(ii) Sectional Strength. If on any match day a Club is not fielding all its sides, the team(s) that does play must, including any substitute players, be of a relative sectional strength for each fixture.

(iii) Clubs are expected to hold regular selection meetings or a comparable electronic selection programme to select sides of relative sectional strength (A Club shall play its strongest team in its 1st XI, its second strongest team in its 2nd XI and so on). Any team not selected in accordance with sectional strength rules as stated above may have any League point(s) deducted or S.A.L. cup win revoked by the Emergency, Discipline and General Purposes Sub Committee.

9. Club colours and name

(A) Each Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by the 1st of August who shall decide as to their suitability.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the referee.

No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition, shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least three days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the home team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change of kit may be fined (see schedule item 3).

The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit. Shirts must be numbered in all sections.

(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours, must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.

10. Playing season, conditions of play, times of kick-off, postponements, substitutes and hospitality

(A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date, unless the result of the match will affect promotion, relegation or the League Championship of that section.

Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless objections are received by the League Match Secretary within 14 days of their issue. Any Club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this Rule, shall be liable for a fine (see schedule item 3) and the Management Committee or the League Match Secretary may arrange that Club's fixtures.

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground. The dimension of all pitches shall be in accordance with the laws of the Football Association. All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than 60 minutes) is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

Where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game, this shall consist of 2 matches, each match having a duration of 60 minutes (30 minutes each way). These matches shall be played one after the other on the same ground. The first played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the host Club and the second played match will be deemed to be the "home" match of the visiting Club. Please refer to schedule of Fees, Payments and Fines covering the payment of any Referee's or Assistant Referees' match fee for any double-header game.

The times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition. In the event of a team not being ready to commence play at the appointed time the referee shall have the power to order the game to proceed as soon after such time as he may think fit. Any team with a minimum of seven players shall commence play forthwith if instructed to do so by the referee.

The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets and a minimum of four Corner flags must be used.

(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on tile dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the League Match Secretary.

(D) Officials of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the match secretary of the opposing Club at least five clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule may be liable to a fine (see schedule item 3).

(E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition, selected in accordance with the Sectional Strength provision in Rule 8(B ii). Any postponement of a match by any club will be from the bottom team upwards and will need the permission of the League Match Secretary. However, there will be instances where AFA Cup ties will take precedence over the playing of League games, therefore in cases of this nature it will be left to the discretion of the League Match Secretary, to decide if the League game involving that Clubs bottom team is postponed.

(Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of a lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement. If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed).

(F) Home and away matches shall be played except where the League Match Secretary has scheduled a Double Header game. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement, the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the awarding of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action IS warranted by the circumstances.

Every Club in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixtures, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team, Reserve Team, and all other Teams descending in order. Any postponement of a match by any club will be from the bottom team upwards and will need the permission of the League Match Secretary. However, there will be instances where AFA Cup ties will take precedence over the playing of League games, therefore in cases of this nature It will be left to the discretion of the League Match Secretary to decide if the League game involving that Club's bottom team is postponed.

Clubs in breach of this requirement may be fined or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.

Notice of postponement of any match must be given by the postponing club at least 48 hours prior to the match being prayed to the League Match Secretary, the relevant League Referees Secretary, the Match Secretary of the opposing Club or an alternative contact if the primary contact is not available and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the League Match Secretaries' Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem appropriate.

In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the League Match Secretary within seven days, the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s), they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.

In some cases where a fixture cannot be played the Management Committee and / or a duly appointed sub-committee will reserve the right to record a result and award the points available in the match to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.

(G) (i) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game, use up to three substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from three players nominated to the Referee prior to the commencement of the match.

(ii) A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game, shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

(iii) Each 1st and 2nd Team in a League game shall fully provide and deliver to the appointed Referee, 30 minutes prior to the kick off of that match, a fully completed League Team sheet including the names of any substitutes. Failure to do so will result in a standard administration fine (£25 – Failure to report result).

(H) The half time interval shall normally be of 10 minutes duration, but shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.

(I) Hospitality the away Club is expected to stay after the game and accept the hospitality provided by the home Club, wherever the game is played. If a minimum of six players fail to return to the home Club's clubhouse, or notified venue, to accept the after match hospitality, the away Club will be required to reimburse the home Club for costs incurred up to a maximum of £30.

The requirement to reimburse will be waived only if the away Club's Match Secretary informs either the home Club's Match or Club Secretary by 8.00 p.m. on the Thursday before the Saturday game, or at least 48 hours prior to kick-off time if the match is played on a day other than a Saturday, that their team will not be returning to the home Club's clubhouse to accept the hospitality provided. It is expected that any Issues concerning hospitality will be resolved amicably between Clubs without the intervention of the League.

11. Match reporting

(A) Each Club must submit within two days of the match a fully completed Result Sheet to the League web site. This must include the name of the Referee and a mark as required by Rule 13 and any other information required by the Competition.

(B) For Saturday matches the Home Club shall telephone the result of each match, in the prescribed manner, to the League web site by 12.00 midday the day following the match. In addition, for Saturday matches, the Home Clubs must telephone / text their 1st XI result to the nominated member of the Management Committee by 5.30pm on the day of the match.

The Management Committee shall have power to take such action, as they deem suitable, against a Club which submits an incomplete Result Sheet or incorrect information. Failure to comply with Rule 11 in any respect will incur a fine (see schedule item 5).

12. Determining championship

(A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points being awarded for a win and one point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Division at the conclusion of a season, shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. Double header games may be scheduled at the discretion of the League Match Secretary.

In the event of two or more teams being equal on points, team rankings will be decided in any one or more of the following ways:-

(i) goal difference.
(ii) goals scored.
(iii) deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the Management Committee.

For deciding matches, in the event of the scores in a special championship match played under conditions determined by the management committee being level at the end of the game, 30 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 15 minutes. If no goal is scored during extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.

(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first two and the last two teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of Rule 1(b). Ultimately the League Management Committee have the power to change the number of teams within any Division at their discretion.

(i) Should one or more teams withdraw from any one Division after the fixtures have commenced, an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that Division shall not be automatically relegated.

(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season, may be filled on any of the following ways:

(a) retention of otherwise relegated team(s).
(b) additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below.
(c) election.

(iii) The last two clubs in the lowest Division of the Senior Section will be requested to apply for re-election before the A.G.M. At the A.G.M. (subject to approval from the League Management Committee) those clubs seeking re-election shall retire and Club Representatives (one vote per club) and League Management Committee members only will vote on their re-election.

(iv) At no time shall any club have more than two teams playing in the same division, unless agreed by the League Management Committee who will treat each case on its own merits.

(v) The Management Committee shall have discretion to amend the above procedures to cater for withdrawals or new entries of teams and Clubs.

(e) In the event of a team not completing 75% of its fixtures for the season, all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.

13. Referees

(A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees, where available, for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

(B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee, the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, or where the competition has been unable to appoint a Referee, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee.

(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match.

(D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a private ground. The Representative of that body will be the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted, except where the Representative declares the pitch fit but the referee states otherwise.

(E) Match Fees:-

Referee (see schedule item 6). Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees (see schedule item 7), subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association(s). The Home Club shall pay the Match Officials their fees immediately after the match. Where Assistant Referees are appointed the home team will still cover the cost of the Referee, with both the home and away teams sharing the cost for the Assistant Referees. In order to avoid any delay the Home team Captain/Manager or Club Official, where applicable, will pay both Assistant Referees immediately after the game is completed (see schedule item 7) and then obtain the relevant money later from the away team Captain/Manager or Club official.

In the event that a double header game has been scheduled by the League Match Secretary both sides will share the total cost 'or the Referee s Fees (see schedule item 6a) and Assistant Referees' Fees see schedule item 7a). However, as described above, the side whose ground is hosting the games should pay the officials Immediately after the games are completed and then obtain later the relevant money from the away team.

(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to their full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials (if they attend the ground) their full fee.

(G) Referees not keeping their engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may have their name removed from the list of Referees and the fact reported to the Association with which they are registered.

(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match. The name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

(I) Where a club provides a mark for a referee of 50 or less out of 100, that club, through either their Secretary or Referees' Secretary, must submit a report to the League Referees' Secretary as to the reasons why they are providing a mark of 50 or less. Failure to do so will result in a standard administration fine (£25 Failure to report result.

(J) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, by the prescribed date each season shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association on the form provided.

(K) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team, the time of kick-off along with any other requested details to the Referees Secretaries within two days of the match.

(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

14. Continuation of membership or withdrawal of a club

(A) By 31st January in the current season, a Club intending or having a provisional intention, to withdraw from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition, must notify the Secretary in writing. This intention must be confirmed or withdrawn In writing by 31st March. Failure to do so may make a Club liable to a fine decided at the discretion of the committee.

(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting/arrangement of fixtures for the following season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine (see schedule item 3) per team and shall also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).

(C) 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 days, then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the 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 complaints

(A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretation's 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 cases 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 Secretary within seven 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 to 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 Secretary a sum of (see schedule Item 8). 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 or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs be shared by the parties.

(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint, the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.

16. Board of appeal

Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed sub-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 Secretary of the A.F.A. (procedure to be followed is set out in the A.F.A handbook), including a fee of (see schedule item 9) for adjudication of an A.F.A. Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules. The A.F.A. 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 A.F.A. Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.

17. Exclusion of clubs or teams; Misconduct of clubs, teams or 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. 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 21, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or team of a Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable. This must be supported by two-thirds of those present and voting. 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 player, official or member of a Club proved guilty of either misconduct, other than field offences, or of inducing 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.

(D) The Management Committee or appointed subcommittee shall have the power to ban or expel any Club or named individual from playing in the League, engaging in Club administration, or attending any League function if it considers that the Club's or individual's participation is of undesirable conduct and detrimental to the best interests of the League.

Any decision made by the League shall be in accordance with FA Rules.

Any Club that expels a player independently of action taken by the Management Committee shall inform the Secretary of the League within 7 days of the decision.

(E) Procedure to be followed by the Management Committee or duly appointed sub-committees in pursuing Rule 5 (0), Rule 8 {CI (iv) and i or Rule 17 (C). 17 (0) and 24.

(i) The Management Committee has the power to invite, in writing, any clubs and / or their representative(s) to attend before the Management Committee or appointed sub-committee, with at least 14 days clear notice of the time, date and venue.

(ii) Full details of the offence shall be stated in the letter.

(iii) The clubs and / or their representative(s) shall be given the opportunity to address the Committee. produce documents or call witnesses if the individual so desires, and may be assisted by no more than one other person to support the individual or speak on his behalf in so doing.

(iv) After the clubs and / or their representatives have been heard by the Committee and the case has been considered, a two thirds majority of the members of the Committee present and voting is required for the recommendation that the 'player, official or member of a Club is to be suspended or expelled.

(v) If the Committee votes to recommend the suspension or expulsion of a Member Club, player, official or member of a Club, an Extraordinary General Meeting must be called within 28 days of the Committee Meeting. A two thirds majority of the members present and voting is required to order the suspension or expulsion of player, official or member of a Club.

(vi) If the required majority of votes for suspension or expulsion has not been obtained under (iv) or (v) above, the matter is closed and may not be reopened that season.

(vii) Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed subcommittee 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 Secretary of the A.F.A. (procedure to be followed is set out in the A.F.A. handbook), including a fee of (see schedule item 9) for adjudication of an A.F.A. Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules. The A.F.A. 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 AF.A Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.

18. Trophies: legal owners, conditions of taking over, agreement to be signed, awards

A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition is discontinued for any reason, 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. At the close of each Competition, awards may be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

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 Southern Amateur Football League 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 Secretary, or his nominee, on or before . If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to compensate the Competition with the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair".

Attendance by a Club representative at the Annual and Presentation of Awards Dinner for any Club who have won a League Championship or Challenge Cup or other League trophy will be mandatory. Any Club failing to attend this event will not have that relevant trophy presented to them and the Management Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any championship, cup or other League Trophy at the end of that season for non attendance at this event.

19. Representative Games

The Management Committee may arrange representative games and a player selected to represent the League may not play for his club on the date of any such match without the consent of the Management Committee. Where there are two or more players selected from one Club for any game, that 1st team may, with the consent of the League Match Secretary, postpone their scheduled game.

20. Advertising

Advertising on players clothing is permitted providing that such advertising is in accordance with the rule and appendix as such set out in the current F.A. handbook. Details of any advertising and sponsorship must be submitted to the AF.A. for their approval. No players clothing carrying advertising shall be worn until permission has been obtained by the A.F.A.

21. Special General Meeting

Upon receiving a resolution signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership, the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

At least 14 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. Not less than 14 days notice shall be given of any Meeting. At this meeting business shall be transacted provided that at least 20 delegates and 7 members of the League Management Committee are present and entitled to vote.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given, may be fined (see schedule item 4).

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

22. Alteration to rules

Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take effect until the following season.

Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by the 30th April in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 31st of May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by the date of the Annual General Meeting. The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if two thirds of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 7 days prior to the date of the meeting.

Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained.

23. Finance

(A) The Management Committee shall determine with which Bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.

(B) All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques up to the value of £500 shall be signed by one Officer nominated by the Management Committee. Cheques over the value of £500 shall be signed by two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on the 30th of April.

(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.

24. Emergency, Discipline and General Purposes Committee

Serious offence(s) committed by any Player(s) or Club(s) during any match day or over a season, as reported by any serving A.F.A. or S.A.L. Management Committee Officer, League or Club appointed Referee or Elected Club Officer.

The Committee will consist of at least 3 Senior League Management Committee Members (with a duly elected Chairman) and shall have the power to deal with any matters that they see fit to investigate, whether or not they are provided for in the rules (but shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules). The Committee will have the ability to require any club and individual to appear before them on any nominated date. This Committee will have the power to administer any penalty or fine or any costs the League incur as deemed necessary (but shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules) covering the nature of an individual incident or incidents over a season committed by any player or Club. Any decision made by this Committee will need confirmation from the full Management Committee at their next Committee meeting and follow the misconduct procedures stated within rule 17.

This Committee will have the power to revoke the awarding of any championship or promoted side and cup at the end of that season if in their opinion that team has not been selected consistently in accordance to the relative sectional strength rules under rules 8 (B) (ii), (ii) and (iii). In addition, this Committee will at their discretion have the powers to deduct points from any individual team or all teams within that club at the end of that playing season or the start of the next season if it is felt by that Committee that any team's or Club's actions are of undesirable conduct and are detrimental to the best interests of the League.

In any hearing before this Committee they will have the power to make an order as to the costs of that hearing as it considers appropriate.

Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee, appointed sub-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 Secretary of the A.F.A. (procedure to be followed is set out in the A.F.A. handbook), including a fee of (see schedule item 91 for adjudication of an A.F.A. Board of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with F.A. Rules. The A.F.A. 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.

25. The entering of cup competitions

No team from any Club may enter more than three cup competitions without the consent of the League Management Committee.

26. Rules binding on clubs

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 must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

27. Schedule of fees, payments and fines

Note that any fines imposed are subject to increase as per Rule 5(1), copied here:-

(II) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose".

* Under Item 5 Fines for repeat offences will be increased in line with guidelines issued each season by the Results' Secretary.