BOURNEMOUTH DIVISIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

 

ASSOCIATION RULES 2023-24 SEASON

 

Standard Code of Rules for the Divisional Association

1a TITLE

This Divisional FA is one of six divisions allowed under Hampshire FA Membership Rule 3 shall be called the Bournemouth Divisional Football Association (this DFA) and shall be affiliated to the Hampshire FA.  This DFA shall observe the Rules and Regulatio

ns of The Football Association and those of the Hampshire FA, which shall be deemed as part of these Rules.  All matches played within this DFA’s defined area shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as settled by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

1b. OBJECTS

The objectives of the DFA shall be to supply, promote and develop Football, according to the requirements of the area. To support the Bournemouth Football League, the South West Churches Football (SWCF)League, the Bournemouth Youth League, and the New Forest Youth League in their ventures, without discrimination. To ensure that all participants are aware of the Rules of competitions and that fair play and the Respect Campaign are adhered to.

2. AREA

The area of this DFA shall be that portion of Hampshire as bounded by a straight line from Pylewell Point (SZ356951) to Pipers Wait (SU246165) on the Hants / Wilts border (excludes Lyndhurst) in accordance with Hampshire FA Membership Rule 3.

3. MEMBERSHIP 

a.  (i)  All elected members to the DFA Council as laid out in these Rules.

(ii)  All Clubs affiliated to the Hampshire FA who have grounds or recognised headquarters within the area defined in Rule 2 shall be members of this DFA subject to the approval of the DFA Council.  In addition, all Clubs affiliated to any other County Association, but competing in a Sanctioned Competition under the jurisdiction of this DFA shall, subject to the approval of the DFA Council, be members.   Such Clubs shall pay a membership fee as laid down in Rule 10.    A maximum Club membership fee will be applied if the DFA is not providing a competition for a member Club / team.

In addition all Leagues sanctioned by the Hampshire FA who operate within the area defined in Rule 2 shall be members of this DFA.

 (iii) Clubs, Leagues and elected DFA Council Members may only be members of one Hampshire FA Divisional Football Association.   In the event that a League has clubs from more than one Divisional Football Association, the League shall be a member of the Divisional Football Association that has the majority of its member clubs.

(iv)  For the avoidance of any doubt a Member Club’s headquarters shall be the ground on which they play their home matches unless they have an official HQ i.e. Registered Club House, Public House, Office Premises or other similar premises in the existing boundary of the DFA as laid down by the Hampshire County Football Association on 17th March 2010.

b.   The DFA shall keep a register of all Leagues and Clubs entitled to be members within its defined area.

c.   Development competitions are the only exemptions to Rule 3 (a) (i) above.  For the avoidance of doubt development competitions are considered to be faith based competitions, a new competition that has not been in membership with a County FA or a competition where the majority of players do not play affiliated football elsewhere.

Development competitions are exempt from Divisional FA membership for a term of between one and three seasons to be considered by the Hampshire FA Football Regulation Committee.   When the development competition is established, membership of the Divisional FA will apply in accordance with Rule 3 (a) (i) with the agreement of the Hampshire FA Football Regulation Committee.

4. OFFICERS

The Officers of the DFA shall be the President, the Chair, the Deputy Chair, the General Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Minutes Secretary.

5. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION & ELECTION

a. This DFA shall be governed, and its affairs managed by a Council consisting of:

(i)   The Officers

(ii)  Life Vice Presidents

(iii) Benevolent Officer (Subject to HFA Board Approval)

(iv) Deputy Benevolent Officer (Subject to HFA Board Approval)

(v)   All members of the Hampshire FA Board and Football Management Board and any Hampshire FA Life Vice Presidents or Honorary Life Members who reside in the Division.

(vi)  Up to two representatives from each of the sanctioned 11-a-side and Mini-Soccer competitions within the area who must be a member of that competition; the sanctioned competitions in the area are: - Bournemouth Football League, Bournemouth Youth League, New Forest Youth League and SWCF League.

(vii)  One representative from each Referee’s Society within the area.

(viii)  One representative from Members Clubs competing in Competitions outside the area.

 (ix)   One representative from Senior Clubs (step 6 and above) from within the area.

(x)    One representative from Regional Feeder League from within the area.              (Hampshire Premier FL – Premier Division or Dorset Premier FL)  

(xi)   One representative from Women’s Clubs within the area.

(xii)  One representative from Disability Clubs within the area.

(xiii)  One representative from Walking Football within the area.

(xiv)  One representative from each appropriate Schools FA.

Such persons, if approved by the DFA, shall serve for a one year term from the end of the Annual General Meeting in each year and shall be eligible for re-appointment.    In addition, the DFA shall have the power to co-opt on a yearly basis and any co-opted member shall have full powers of membership.  Elected representatives shall not be members of any other Hampshire FA Division.

b.  In addition to the above, the DFA Council shall have the power to co-opt up to five other members who may have specialist knowledge to assist the Council.   All such co-opted members’ credentials shall be vetted by the full Council and shall be subject to re-appointment annually.

c.  Any elected or nominated member of DFA Council absenting themselves from three successive meetings, failing a satisfactory explanation in writing, shall be considered to have resigned and the Council shall have the power to fill any such vacancy that may occur during the year.   Life Vice Presidents absent for the same reasons will be transferred to the status of Honorary Life Member.  

d.  The DFA Council shall have the power at their discretion to fill any office in this DFA that may become vacant and also any vacancy that may occur on a Committee during the year and appoint Sub Committees as it sees fit.

e. Six members of the DFA Council will form a quorum for the transaction of business for this DFA and three members will form a quorum for the transaction of any business delegated to a committee or Sub-Committee of this DFA.

f.  All correspondence shall be addressed to the Secretary of this DFA and not to any other individual unless so directed.

6  ELECTIONS

a.  The following will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting:

The President; Chair; Deputy Chair; Treasurer; Secretary; Minutes Secretary.

b.  Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.   All other candidates for election as Officers shall be nominated in writing by two members of this DFA to the Secretary not later than May 1st in each year.  Names of those nominated 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 following will be elected annually by the DFA Council as per Hampshire FA Membership Rule 3 :

(i)    Area Benevolent Officer and a deputy (to be approved by Hampshire FA Board of Directors).

d.  Life Vice Presidents and Honorary Life Members who were appointed by the Divisional FA prior to season 2021/22.

Life Vice Presidents shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at all DFA Council and general meetings.  Life Vice Presidents shall have such rights and privileges as the DFA Council shall from time to time prescribe.

Life Vice Presidents are eligible to be elected as Honorary Life Members at any time and may make application to the DFA Secretary in writing.  Honorary Life Members would receive invites to all general meetings but would not receive invitations to DFA Council meetings or hold voting rights at DFA Council meetings.

Any Life Vice President who has been elected an Honorary Life Member may revert back to the position of Life Vice President at any time by advising the DFA Secretary in writing.

Any person who has served in a position of President, Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary or Treasurer, on retirement from this post, at the discretion of the DFA, will be elected to the position of Honorary Life Member unless the same person is elected to another post within the DFA.

e.  The DFA Secretary shall send to the Member Clubs competing in Competitions outside of the area and to Senior, Intermediate, Disability Walking Football and Women’s Clubs a nomination form for the election of the Council representatives.    Such nomination forms shall be submitted to the DFA Secretary by such date as the Officers shall prescribe each year and must be signed by the Chair and Secretary of the Club nominating them.    Any person nominated must be a member of the Club nominating them.

f.. If there is more than one candidate nominated for either of the categories, the DFA Secretary shall forthwith, after the time fixed for the close of nominations, send a voting paper containing the names of all those nominated in that category to each of the Clubs within that category.  Completed voting papers must be returned to the DFA Secretary by such time as the Officers shall decide and shall be opened by such person or persons as the Officers shall decide.  The prescribed number of candidates receiving the largest number of votes in each category shall be declared elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

g.  The Secretary shall send at least 21 days prior to the Annual General Meeting a form of nomination to each body within the area entitled to representative(s) on the DFA Council with a notice that the body desiring to nominate a candidate or candidates for a seat on the DFA Council must return the nomination form signed by the Chair and Secretary within 7 days.

h..The Secretary shall ensure that notice of and minutes of all meetings are forwarded to the Chief Executive of the Hampshire FA in accordance with usual circulation timescales.

7. GENERAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES & POWERS OF THE DFA COUNCIL

a.  The DFA Council shall manage the affairs of the DFA and their decisions shall be final subject to the right of appeal to the Hampshire FA (see Rule 11).

b..The DFA Council shall meet on a minimum of three dates fixed by them at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The Officers shall have the power to call Special General Meetings as may be deemed necessary.

c..The discussions, statements of members, evidence of witnesses and other matters brought before the DFA Council and Committees is deemed privileged and the DFA Council shall have the power to censure or suspend from the DFA Council any member proved to be guilty of a breach of this Rule

d..Each member of the DFA Council shall be entitled to attend all DFA Council meetings and have one vote thereat but no member shall be allowed to vote on any matter directly appertaining to himself or herself that they represent or where there may be a conflict of interest (this principle shall apply to the procedure of any Committee).  In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.

e.  The Officers of this DFA shall have the power to cancel any meeting if they consider the business for such meeting to be insufficient, or for any other adequate reason.

f.. The DFA Council shall have the powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of this DFA, including any matter not provided for by these Rules and in such events be guided in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association and Hampshire FA.

g..At their meeting prior to the Annual General Meeting the DFA Council shall make their nominations to fill the Offices of President, Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Solicitor, Auditors and Minutes Secretary to be put forward to the Annual General Meeting together with any other nominations.

h.. The DFA Council shall have the power to appoint such Committees or Commissions as may be deemed necessary and may delegate all or any of its powers to such Committees or Commissions of the DFA Council and to deal with breaches of the Football Regulations referred to them by the Hampshire FA and with all breaches of the Rules of this DFA.  All decisions, reports and minutes of Council Committees including Standing Committees, Sub-Committees and Commissions must be reported to the next meeting of the Council.

i. At the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting, the DFA Council shall:

Complete the election of Officers and DFA Council Members in accordance with Rule 6.

Appoint Committees in accordance with Rule 8.

Appoint for each Sanctioned Competition within the area, a DFA Council Member (who shall not be an existing Officer / Member of the League) to attend its Management Committee Meetings for the purpose of giving guidance and instruction.

Appoint an Area Benevolent Officer (to be approved by the Hampshire FA Board of Directors).

j.  This DFA shall be responsible to the Hampshire FA for the adherence to the following:

(i)  The DFA shall use its powers to control and conduct their own approved Cup Competitions and be responsible for ensuring that all Sanctioned Competitions and affiliated Cubs within their area conform to the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association and Hampshire FA.

(ii)  This DFA shall act in partnership with and actively assist Hampshire FA in its efforts to achieve the principle objectives and other aims set out in the current version of their County Plan.

k.  The DFA shall have the powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.

For all alleged breaches of a DFA Rule the DFA shall issue a formal written charge to the individual or organisation / body concerned. The individual or organisation / body charged shall be given 7 days from the date of notification of the charge to reply.  In such reply an individual or organisation / body may:

  • (i) Accept the charge and submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the DFA on the papers:   or
  • (ii) Accept the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the DFA:   or
  • (iii) Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the DFA on the papers:   or
  • (iv) Deny the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case at a hearing before the DFA.

Where the individual or organisation / body charged fails to respond within 7 days, the DFA shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate.

Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the individual or organisation / body as more fully set out above.

Having considered the reply of the individual or organisation / body (whether in writing or at a hearing), the DFA shall make its decision and, in the event that the charge is accepted or proven, decide on the appropriate penalty.

With the exception of Teams playing at Regional Feeder League or the FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship of the National League System, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the DFA must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.

No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.

All breaches of the Laws of the Game, or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.

8. STANDING COMMITTEES

The following shall be Standing Committees of this DFA and elected annually (upon recommendation of the DFA Succession Planning Committee) by the DFA Council, excepting the Succession Planning Committee whose additional members of the DFA Council shall be appointed by the Divisional Football Association Officers and the divisional representative to the Hampshire FA Selection Panel.

a.  Cup Competitions Committee consisting of the DFA Officers, Cup Competitions Secretary and at least ten members of the DFA Council.

b.  Finance Committee consisting of the DFA Officers and five members of DFA Council (one of whom shall be a representative of a Youth League).

c.  Rules Revision Committee consisting of the DFA Officers and five members of DFA Council (one of whom shall be a representative of a Youth League).

d.  Succession Planning Committee consisting of the DFA Chair, the DFA member appointed by the Hampshire FA Board of Directors to the County FA Selection Panel, whom shall chair this committee and additional members of DFA Council one of which will act as Secretary for the committee (one of whom shall be a representative of a Youth League.

e.. Emergency Committee consisting of the DFA Officers and two members of DFA Council (one of whom shall be a member of a Youth League) with the power to deal with any matter which the Secretary may deem urgent or which may be referred to them by the DFA Council.

f.  The Divisional FAs may nominate a representative to their local Local Area Referees Committee on an annual basis in accordance with Hampshire FA Membership Rule 5 B2 (a)(viii).

g.  If the DFA so decides subgroups can be formed, if it is agreed that they will fulfil a requirement of the DFA.

9. MEMBER CLUBS

a.  No Club shall be accepted into membership until they have paid their affiliation fee to the County Football Association and to obtain membership, they must quote the number and date of the official receipt issued by the Secretary of that County Association.  Each Club shall keep a Member’s Register, Cash Register, Minute Book and Players’ Appearance Record, all may be held electronically if considered appropriate.

b.  Clubs shall not allow matches to be played on their grounds in which the Clubs engaged are not in membership with a County Association, unless previous consent of Hampshire FA has been obtained.   Clubs whose grounds are used by other Clubs for matches of any kind shall notify the DFA Secretary of such arrangements when made and at least seven days before the date of the match (that affects a DFA Cup Competition) whenever possible.  Affiliated Clubs, Officials, Players and Registered Referees shall not take part in any match in which an unaffiliated Club is playing or which has not been sanctioned by this DFA (for a DFA Cup Competition) and / or the Hampshire FA.

c.  The Registered Secretary (or in his / her absence any other nominated Officer) of a Club is the only official recognised by this DFA for the purpose of correspondence, which must be in his / her name.    The Secretary of this DFA shall not be required to communicate with any other official on club matters.   Official correspondence from this DFA requiring a reply must be acknowledged within five days of receipt (unless otherwise specified) and if in default, the Club shall be fined £28 and / or other such penalty as the Council may decide.

d.  All Member Clubs must, if required to do so, place their ground and facilities at the disposal of the DFA Council at least once per season.

e.  If the conduct of any Member or member Club in membership with this DFA is considered to be objectionable under its jurisdiction or in connection therewith, the DFA Council will have the full power to fine, suspend or expel such member Club or member from the DFA or deal with the matter as they may decide.

f.  The DFA, through the DFA Council, if and when required shall be empowered to require the Member Clubs (who paid a membership fee to this Association at the start of the current season) to contribute by subscription or otherwise, such sums of money to the funds of the DFA in order to defray any losses incurred in the running of the DFA affairs.

g.  All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification.

Any Club failing to do so will be fined a maximum of £50.  Further failure to pay the fine including the additional sum within 14 days will result in their membership of the DFA being withdrawn and may result in an application of the Football Debt Recovery being applied through the Hampshire FA until such times as the outstanding payments are settled.

h.  The business of the Divisional Football Association as determined by the DFA Council shall be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

i.  All Member Clubs and Service Clubs competing in competitions under the jurisdiction of this DFA shall place their players at the disposal of the DFA Council for all representative matches.  A player selected to play for the DFA shall not play for his Club on the date of the match for which he was selected without the permission of the DFA Council.   Any player failing to comply with this Rule will be adjudged by the DFA Council and charged in accordance with Rule 7, and any Club or Official who may be deemed to have encouraged or instigated such a player to commit a breach of instruction or Rule shall be deemed of a similar breach.

j.  This DFA shall have the powers to select and use on any dates, the grounds of its Member Clubs that it deems fit for the playing of Representative Matches and the Semi-Final and final ties of its Cup Competitions and those of its Sanctioned Competitions.

10. MEMBERSHIP FEES

a.  On or before the 15th July in each year, each Club, through its Sanctioned Competition, shall pay a membership fee to this DFA as per the following schedule of fees: (These fees only apply if a Competition is being provided by this DFA, as per Rule 3a (ii) ).

(i) Clubs of Intermediate Status and above    £20.00

(ii) Clubs of Junior Status       £20.00

(iii) Clubs of Youth Status       £2.00

(iv)Additional teams of Intermediate Status and above: Not Applicable

(v)Additional teams of Junior Status: Not Applicable

(vi)Additional Youth Teams: Not Applicable

(vii)Faith, Walking Football and Disability Teams up to a maximum of £5.00 (per team)

A maximum Club membership fee of £1.00 will be applied if the DFA is not providing a competition for a member Club.  No additional team fee can be applied if the DFA is not providing a competition for a team.  

For the avoidance of doubt, Veterans and Women’s teams shall count as Junior Status.

Each Club affiliated to Hampshire FA but playing in a Sanctioned Competition outside this Division shall pay a membership fee to the DFA as per the schedule of fees in this Rule (10A).

b.  Not applicable for this competition.

c.  All Clubs affiliated to other County Football Associations, who are playing in a Sanctioned Competition within this Division shall pay a membership fee to this DFA as per the following schedule of fees:    (These fees only apply if a Competition is being provided by this DFA as per Rule 3a (ii) )

(i)  Clubs of Intermediate Status and above   £20.00

(ii)  Clubs of Junior Status £20.00

(iii) Clubs of Youth Status   £2.00

(iv)Additional teams of Intermediate Status and above:  Not Applicable

(v)Additional teams of Junior Status:  Not Applicable

(vi) Additional Youth Teams:  Not Applicable

(vii)  Faith, Walking Football and Disability Teams up to a maximum of £5.00 (per team)

A maximum Club membership fee of £1.00 will be applied if the DFA is not providing a competition for a member club.   No additional team fee can be applied if the DFA is not providing a competition for a team.

For the avoidance of doubt, Veterans and Women’s teams shall count as Junior Status.

d.  Any Club which registers after the 1st May shall be fined £30.00

e.  Member Clubs shall not be allowed to take part in any Sanctioned Competition until the membership fee has been paid.  Sanctioned Competitions shall satisfy themselves that their Clubs are properly affiliated to the appropriate County Football Association.

  1. APPEALS

A Member Club, within 14 days of receipt by them of written notification of any decision of the Council of this DFA may appeal against any such decision by lodging particulars, in duplicate, accompanied by a fee determined from time to time by the Hampshire FA, such appeal being addressed to the Secretary of the Hampshire FA for the adjudication of the Board of Appeal, whose decision shall be final and binding on all concerned.   No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless it is on the grounds of unconstitutional conduct.  In the event of the appeal being unsuccessful, the fee shall be forfeited or returned to the Club in whole or in part at the discretion of the Board of Appeal, who shall also decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne.

A copy of the appeal must be sent to the Secretary of this DFA and the operation of the decision made by Council shall not be suspended pending the result of the appeal unless the Board of Appeal of the Hampshire FA, through its Officers, orders such suspension.

  1. OWNERSHIP OF TROPHIES   aThe Officers of this DFA shall be Trustees of all monies and property of this DFA.   Association Cups or Trophies shall be competed for annually and shall not become the property of any Club.  If a Competition is 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 DFA may decide.  At the close of each Competition, awards shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of this DFA permit.

The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:

“We A…………………………………and B…………………………………, the Chair and Secretary of …………………………………………. FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of the …………………………………………… Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by this DFA, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy, in its box, to this DFA’s Secretary on or before 8th February.  If the Cup or Trophy, or its box, are lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to this DFA the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.    Any Club withdrawing from the Competition must return their Cup or Trophy immediately to this Association.

b.  If the Cup or Trophy is returned and, in the opinion of this DFA, is not in the same condition as it was presented, the Club shall be notified immediately and the Club shall be fined and be charged for its refurbishment and / or repair in total.   

A Club failing to return a Cup or Trophy on or before 8th February shall be fined the sum of £26 plus £3 per day after that date until returned to the DFA Secretary.

13.  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

a.  The Annual General Meeting of this DFA shall be held no later than 15th June in any year.   At this meeting the following business shall be transacted:

(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.

(ii) To consider any business arising therefrom.

(iii) Adoption of Standing Orders.

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

(v)Election of Officers (Recommendations made by the Succession Planning Committee)

(vi) Appointment of Auditors / Account Verifier.

(vii) Alteration to Rules, if any (of which due notice has been given)

b.  A copy of the Agenda, verified Balance Sheet and Proposed Alterations to Rules shall be forwarded to each Member Club and DFA Council Member at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

b.  A signed copy of the verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Hampshire FA within 14 days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

c.  Each 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.

d.  Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of this DFA 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.

e.  All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands or voting cards unless a ballot is demanded by at least 12 of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chair decides.

f.  No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one member.

g.  Officers and DFA Council members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

h.  Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented for the duration of the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given in writing may be fined £20. This rule will only apply to clubs that are competing in a Divisional Football Association Competition.

14  SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

a.  Upon written application of 12 members of DFA Council or 12 Member Clubs, stating reasons for same, the DFA Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.   At least seven days’ notice shall be given of any meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

b.  Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings.  Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.   Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.   In the event of the votes being equal the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second casting vote.

c.  All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands or voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 12 of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman decides.

d.  No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one member.

e.  DFA Officers and Council members shall be entitled to attend and vote at a Special General Meeting

f.  Proposed Alterations to Rules to be considered at a Special General Meeting shall be circulated with the notice of the meeting and proposed amendments may be made and voted on at the meeting.

g.  With the exception of any change to Players’ Qualifications, which may not take effect until the commencement of the following season, any alterations or additions decided upon shall become operative once the approval of the Hampshire FA has been given.

h.   Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given in writing may be fined up to a maximum of £20.00. This rule will only apply to clubs that are competing in a Divisional Football Association Competition.

15. ALTERATIONS TO RULES

a.  Alterations in the Rules of the Football Association and the Hampshire FA, so far as they affect this DFA shall be deemed to be incorporated in, and form part of, this DFA’s Rules as and when they are approved at a meeting of such Football Association.

b.  Except as provided in clause (a) of this Rule, no alteration shall be made in the Rules of this DFA except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose.

c.  Notice of Proposed Alterations to Rules must reach the Secretary by the 31st January in each year.    The proposals, together with any proposals by the DFA Council, shall be circulated to DFA Council Members and Member Clubs and any amendments thereto must reach the Secretary by the 28th February in each year.   A copy of the Proposed Alterations to the Rules shall be submitted to the Hampshire FA by 31st March for their approval before being presented to members of this DFA.

d.  No alterations shall be made to any Rule unless the majority of members present, and for the time being entitled to vote that are present in person, vote in favour.

e.  The Hampshire FA will consider any necessary changes to the Divisional FA Standard Code of Rules at its meeting of the Football Regulation Committee held in April each year and any changes will be communicated to the DFA Secretary by the Chief Executive or his appointed deputy by 1st May in any year.

16. TRAVELLING EXPENSES

Travel and any other reasonable out of pocket expenditure incurred by DFA Council Members whilst engaged in the business of and / or representing this DFA may be reimbursed by this DFA.    Claims shall be forwarded to the Treasurer for consideration.

17. SERVICE TO FOOTBALL AWARDS

Annually, subject to the availability of funds, this DFA may make awards to persons who have given at least 20 years’ service to local football.   Nominations, together with full details, shall be forwarded via Member Organisations (Local Leagues, Local Referee’s Societies and Local Area Referees’ Committee) to this DFA’s Secretary on or before 1st February each year.  The Officers / Sub-Committee will consider each recommendation and the awards will be made at the Annual General Meeting or other appropriate function.

18. RULES BINDING ON CLUBS & DFA COUNCIL MEMBERS

Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the forgoing Rules and agrees to abide by the decisions of the DFA Council subject to Rule 11.  All Member Clubs must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

All DFA Officers / Council members shall ensure that they sign the designated Respect Code of Conduct each season in accordance with Hampshire FA Membership Rule 7 (d).

19. STANDING ORDERS

The Standing Orders of the DFA will be based upon those adopted by the Hampshire FA, amended as necessary to meet the specific requirements of this DFA.

20. FINANCE.

a. The DFA Council shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of this DFA will be lodged.

b.  All expenditure in excess of £500 shall be approved by the DFA Council.  Cheques shall be signed by at least two DFA Officers nominated by the DFA Council.

c.  The financial year of this DFA will end on 31st March.

d.  The books, or a certified balance sheet of this DFA, shall be prepared and shall be verified by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

21. INSURANCE

The DFA shall hold Public Liability Insurance in its own right.

22. THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION / HAMPSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Any matter not provided for in these Rules shall be dealt with in accordance with the Rules of The Football Association and the Hampshire Football Association.

No Divisional Football Association Council meeting / AGM / SGM shall take place on the same day as any Hampshire FA Board of Directors, Football Management Board, or standing committee meeting without the consent of the Hampshire FA Chief Executive or their nominated deputy.

23.  DISSOLUTION

a.  A resolution to dissolve the DFA shall only be proposed at a General Meeting with prior approval of the Hampshire FA and shall be carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of the members present.

b..The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the Officers of the DFA shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the DFA.

c. Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of debts and liabilities of the DFA shall be transferred to the Hampshire FA who shall determine how the assets shall be utilised for the benefit of the game.

 

 

 

BOURNEMOUTH DIVISIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP COMPETITION RULES 2023-2024

1.  The following Rules shall apply, except where specified, to all BOURNEMOUTH DIVISIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Cup Competitions, which shall be played annually.

BDFA Saturday Senior Cup,

BDFA Camerons (Sunday) Cup,

BDFA Page Croft (Saturday Junior) Cup,

BDFA Women’s Cup

BDFA Veterans Cup

2.  The entire control and management of the Competitions shall be vested in the DFA Council of the Association who shall have power to delegate to a Cup Competitions Committee, with power to act. The Divisional Association shall appoint a Cup Competition Secretary who shall conduct the business of all the respective Cup Competitions.

The quorum for the transaction of business shall be as provided in the Divisional Association and all decisions of the DFA Council or Cup Competitions Committee shall be final subject to a member club lodging an appeal in accordance with BDFA Rule 11.

Any Changes or alterations to these Rules must comply with the requirements of Association Rule 15 (a. thru e)

The business of the Competition, as determined by the DFA Council of the

Association or Cup Competitions Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

3.  In these Rules the word “Council” shall be construed as meaning “the Council or the Cup Competition Committee”.

4.  If any member of DFA Council is an Official, Member or Shareholder of a Club concerning which there is a protest, dispute or question, such member shall not be eligible to vote when such protest, dispute or question is being resolved.

5.  To the winners of the Competition there shall be presented a Cup/Trophy which shall be held by that Club for the current season and shall not become the property of any Club.                      

The Association Officers for the time being shall be regarded as legal holders of the Cups/Trophies.

6.  The Club winning the Competition shall be wholly responsible for the Cup, and shall sign a written document to this effect to be handed to the Secretary of the Association on receipt of the Cup. The Association shall insure the Cup and arrange for it to be engraved  with the winners name and year, the cost of which shall be paid for by the winning Club.. The Cup shall be returned to the BDFA Office by the 5th January the following year. A fine of £200.00 will be imposed in cases of default. In the event that a Club ceases to exist after winning the competition, the Cup will be immediately returned to the  Secretary of the Association.

7.  In addition to the Cup/Trophy, 16 medals or other suitable awards shall be presented to the winning Club and, funds permitting, also to the losing finalists. When a player taking part in a final tie of a Competition is ordered to leave the field of play for misconduct, the award to which he/she may be entitled shall be withheld at the discretion of the Council.

8. ENTRIES AND ENTRY FEES.

(a)    Applications together with the appropriate fee to enter the Cup Competitions where appropriate must be received on or before the Annual General Meeting in each year. But late entries may be accepted prior to the draw for the first round ties, and in such cases a fine may be imposed on the Club making the application.

Fees:

BDFA Saturday Senior Cup                          £25

BDFA Camerons (Sunday) Cup,                   £25

BDFA Page Croft (Saturday Junior) Cup      £25

BDFA Women’s Cup                                    £20

BDFA Veterans Cup                                      £20 

(b)   Bournemouth Saturday Senior Cup Open to all Clubs whose Headquarters are within the defined BDFA area, who are eligible to take part in the Hampshire FA Senior or Intermediate Cup, with the addition of “Border” Clubs at the discretion of the BDFA Council.

(c)   BDFA Camerons Challenge Cup  Open to all Clubs playing in recognised Sunday competitions at the discretion of the BDFA Council. Only Clubs in membership of the Bournemouth Divisional Football Association shall be eligible to compete in the Competition.

(d)   BDFA Page Croft Challenge Cup Open to all Clubs playing in recognised Saturday Junior Competitions at the discretion of Council. Only Clubs in membership of the Bournemouth Divisional Football Association shall be eligible to compete in the Competition. 

  1. e) BDFA Women’s Cup Open to all Clubs whose Headquarters are within the defined Bournemouth Divisional FA area and who are playing in recognised Women’s Competitions, with the addition of “Border” Clubs at the discretion of the BDFA Council.
  2. f) BDFA Veterans Cup Open to all Clubs whose Headquarters are within the defined Bournemouth Divisional FA area and who are playing in recognised Veterans Competitions, with the addition of “Border” Clubs at the discretion of the BDFA Council.

9      ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

(a) All players must be recognised members of their respective Club and be duly signed and registered by midday on the day before the scheduled date of any Cup Match. No player may be signed on and play on the day of a Cup match.

 (b) A bone-fide player is one who has signed a form for his Club on a recognised League registration form and been duly registered by that League’s Registration Secretary.

(c) Whilst it shall be permissible for the constitution of a competing team to be changed during the progress of a Competition, no player shall play for more than one team in the same Competition during the same season.

(d) No Service player can play for a civilian Club against his Service team unless the Service authority has given permission in writing at least seven days prior to the tie.

(e) In the case of a postponed, drawn or replayed match only such players shall be allowed to play as were eligible at the time fixed for playing the round. A player who has been suspended may play in postponed, drawn or replayed ties after the term of suspension has expired.

(f) Protests respecting eligibility of players must be lodged with the Cup Competition Secretary in writing within four days of the game being played, accompanied by a deposit of £25.00 for each protest, i.e. for each player concerned, which shall be retained or otherwise as the Council direct. Where a protest is sustained, or in the absence of a protest the Council discover that any rule has in their opinion, been violated by mutual arrangement or otherwise by any of the Clubs concerned, it shall be in the power of the Council to disqualify one or both from taking any further part in the Competition in accordance with Rule 9(g) below.        

In case of a frivolous protest, impose such further penalty as may be warranted by the circumstances reported.

(g) (i) A Club playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player and subsequently found guilty of the offence, shall be fined a sum not exceeding £100.00 The Council may take further action against the Club and/or players as it may decide.

(ii) In addition, a Club having played an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player and having been found guilty, shall if having won the match in question, be removed from the competition and their opponents reinstated into the next round of the competition (the Divisional FA Council may only go back  one round within the same competition) in the event of the match in question having ended in a draw, the offending Club shall be removed from the Competition and the match awarded to their opposition

(iii) In the event of both teams being in breach of this rule, both will be removed from the Competition.

In the event of a Club/team being removed from a Competition in respect of clause (ii) and (iii) above, after winning the Final Tie, the Council may award the trophy and player awards to the beaten finalists. The Council may also withhold trophy and player awards for the beaten finalists if removed from the Competition or found to have broken the Rules.

10    BOURNEMOUTH SATURDAY SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP

No Club competing in this Competition shall include in its team in any match more than 6 players who have played during the current season in at least 6 Premier Football League matches or in more than a total of 12 matches in the Premier Football League and/or Football Combination.   A Club may enter one or two teams in the Competition, but each team must be separately entered, and players who have played in one team shall not be permitted to play for another team in the same competition in the same season.

10a BDFA CAMERONS SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP

A Club may enter one or more teams in the Competition, but each team must be separately entered, players who have played in one team shall not be permitted to play for another team in the same competition in the same season.

 11 BDFA PAGE CROFT CHALLENGE (JUNIOR) CUP

No player who has played 6 games or more during the current season in any Competition from 1-30 in the Saturday precedence list as laid down in the Hampshire FA Handbook or any other recognised Saturday Senior Competition shall be allowed to play in any of the Junior Cups. Any player having played in that season in the Association Saturday Senior Cup shall not be eligible to play the Junior Cup.    A Club may enter one or more teams in the Competition, but each team must be separately entered, and players who have played in one team shall not be permitted to play for another team in the same competition in the same season.

 12 VETERANS CUP                                                                                             

A player shall be eligible to participate in this competition if he is of 35 years of age or over on 1st September in the current season.  A Club may enter one or two teams in the Competition but each team must be separately entered, and players who have played in one team shall not be permitted to play for another team in the same competition in the same season.

 13 NUMBER OF PLAYERS/SUBSTITUTES

(a)      Each team shall consist of not more than 11 players who shall be the strongest available team in all matches or they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £15. It shall be the duty of the Referee to report to the Cup Competition Secretary Clubs whose teams do not consist of 11 players.

(b)     A player who leaves the field of play for any reason shall not be eligible to take part in another match until that in which he/she commenced playing is completed.

(c)      A player sent from the field of play by the Referee must immediately retire to the changing rooms and will not be permitted to remain within the vicinity of the playing area. It shall be the responsibility of the players’ Club as to the conduct of that player thereafter.

(d)      A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use five (5) substitute players in a match who may be selected from five (5) nominated substitute players. The Referee shall be informed of the names of the nominated substitute players not later than fifteen minutes before the start of the match.

(e)     Veterans Cup Competitions.                                                                                                     

A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 nominated players. A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

14   ALLOCATION OF GATE MONEY, PAYMENT OF FARES ETC.

(a)    Any Club taking part in these Competitions that does not take gate money for its home games shall not be entitled to a refund of travelling expenses incurred by it if drawn away nor be liable to pay the travelling expenses of a visiting team if drawn at home or for replays at home. Nor shall they if drawn away to a gate taking Club be entitled to any share of the gate proceeds (except at the discretion of the home Club).

(b)   In the final tie the Association shall take the whole of the proceeds of the match.

(c)    The expenses of the pitch, Referee and Assistant Referees shall be borne by the home Club in any Saturday Senior Cup ties before the Final. Travelling expenses are the responsibility of the visiting team. Final ties shall be played on grounds nominated by the Council. In all other BDFA Cup competitions the match expenses will be on a shared costs basis.

15    DRAWING AND PLAYING OF TIES

(a)    The ties in the Competition shall be drawn to be played on dates to be decided by the Association Council. Immediately after each draw the Cup Competition Secretary shall advise each competing Club of its opponents and the date and time at which the ties are to be played. Unless circumstances require, no Club shall have more than one bye in any one season, but arrangements shall be made to ensure that four Clubs compete in the Semi-Final ties. Where a Club has had a bye in a previous round, the Council shall decide whether such Club or its opponents shall have choice of ground.

(b)   In all rounds, the Club first drawn will be the home Club. Except in the Saturday Senior Cup where a Club having suitable floodlights shall be the home Club and the match may be played on a suitable date mid-week prior to the date when the other matches in the round would normally be played. In the event of their ground not being available the tie will be played on the ground of their opponents. In the event of neither ground being available, the tie will be played on the ground of the first drawn Club the week immediately following or as directed by the Cup Competition Secretary.

(c)    In the event of a match in the Competitions not being played because of the precedence list, it shall be played on the next following Saturday/Sunday, unless on some other date arranged or authorised by the Cup Competition Secretary.

(d)   In the event of a game being postponed because of the weather on two (2) occasions the tie may, if so directed by the Cup Competition Secretary, be reversed.

(e)    If any Club shall refuse or fail to play a match in the Competitions on the date fixed for it (only an exceptional circumstance and the exigencies of the weather alone excepted) it shall be removed from the Competition, and in the Final Tie the Council shall have power to reinstate the Club beaten in the Semi-Final by the defaulting Club. Further, and in addition, a defaulting Club shall be liable to a penalty to be decided by Council.  Any team that cannot fulfil a fixture in the competition due to a Covid related issue will be removed from the competition and their opponents will be awarded the match, In the final tie the competition sub-group shall have the power to re-instate the club beaten in the semi-final by the defaulting club. No further sanction will apply, unless any circumstances warrant further sanctions as determined by the Cup Committee.                                              

 (f) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing, or by e-mail, of full particulars of the location of, and access to the ground and time of kick off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 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 shall be fined a sum of £15.00.

 (g)   Kick-Off times shall be 13.45 in November, December, January and February, and 14.00 at all other times for all Saturday Cup Competitions, except for Final Ties and evening fixtures mutually agreed. Kick Off Times shall be 10.30 am for all Sunday Cup Competitions except for the Final Ties. 

(h)   Notice of postponement of any matches must be given without delay by the Club postponing, to the Cup Competition Secretary, the Referees Appointment Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the Referee (and Assistant Referees if appointed). Both Clubs concerned shall send an explanation of circumstances in writing to the Cup Competition Secretary within three days of the fixture, except when the ground has been declared unfit for play. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined the sum of £20 and may be further dealt with by the Council who may inflict any penalties they deem suitable.

16    DRAWN TIES, EXTRA TIME, CHOICE OF GROUNDS AND DATES OF REPLAYS, POSTPONED AND ABANDONED GAMES        

(a) All BDFA Cup Competitions where the scores are level after 90 minutes play or the agreed time having been played, the match shall be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with the rules of the Hampshire FA Limited.  Extra time will not be played in any BDFA Cup Competition match.     

(b) A match which is not played owing to reasons over which neither Club has control, or which is abandoned by the Referee during ordinary time for which neither Club is responsible, shall be played on the same ground on the next succeeding Saturday/Sunday as the case may be, or some other date arranged and authorised by the Cup Competition Secretary. A match not played for other reasons will make Clubs liable to a fine not exceeding £100 and removal from the Competition.

(c)   The Cup Competitions Committee shall review all abandoned matches and, in cases where it is advantageous to the Competition and does no injustice to any of the Clubs, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to be recorded as the result. In all cases where the Cup Competitions Committee are satisfied that a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or their members, they shall be empowered to award the match to their opponents and/or take whatever action they deem necessary. In cases where the Cup Competitions Committee are satisfied that a match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, they shall take such action they consider appropriate, including removing both teams from the Competition.

(d)  A Club proved to have been responsible for a late start in a tie, without satisfactory reason shall be fined £15, which may be increased for repeat offences and, in the event of a tie being left unfinished either in ordinary or extra time, because of such late start or for any other reason stated in Law 5, the Council shall have power to allow the result at the time of the stoppage to stand, and to take such further action as they deem necessary.

(e) The half time interval shall be of ten (10) minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.

17    CLUB COLOURS

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. In the case of two Clubs having the same or similar registered playing colours the away Club shall play in some different and distinctive colours. In the event of two Clubs, in the opinion of the Referee having 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 shall be fined a sum of £15.00.

In the Final tie both teams shall change to distinctive colours. Any   dispute over colours will be referred to the Association’s Cup Competition Secretary.

The players’ shirts must be clearly numbered, and there must be no change of numbers. The size of the numbers shall be approximately 10" high. Failure to comply shall result in a fine of £15.00

  

18    PITCH MEASUREMENTS, ETC.

(a)    The grounds on which the Saturday Senior Competition matches are played shall be as near possible, 110 metres (120 yards) long and 75 metres (80 yards) wide, but in no case less than 100 metres (110 yards) long and 64 metres (70 yards) wide, and shall be surrounded by a fixed barrier or rope at least 1 metre away from the touchline. Any Club failing to comply with this rule shall be dealt with by the Cup Committee, who may inflict any penalties that they deem suitable. For Women’s and Junior Competitions the measurements shall not be less than 90 metres (100 yards) long and 55 metres (60 yards) wide, unless the permission of Council be first obtained. Applications to play ties on grounds not of these required measurements, or which have not been registered with the Association, must be made at least seven days prior to the playing of the tie. No such application shall be considered by the Council for the playing of Semi-Final Ties.

(b)   Goal nets must be used in all matches of these Competitions.

(c)    It shall be the responsibility of the Home Club to ensure the ground is marked out and to provide at least two suitable match balls for the match. Failure to comply will result in a fine of £15

(d)   It shall be the responsibility of the Home Club to provide separate dressing room accommodation for the home team, visiting team and match officials. Two Assistant Referee’s flags and a whistle must also be available. Failure to comply will result in a fine of £15

(e)    In the event that the Home Club has included in its pitch markings the Dugout/Technical Area, the following shall be strictly adhered to: Only the following shall be allowed to occupy the Dugouts, up to five named substitutes and up to three nominated Club Officials, only the nominated coach/manager may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he/she must return to their position immediately after giving these instructions. He/she and other Officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

(f)   The Cup Competitions 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 fixture on the opponents ground. Football Turf pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition providing they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf pitches. For clubs playing at Step 7 and below a pitch must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to the FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.The home Club is also responsible for advising participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 15.

  1.   MATCH RESULT/REPORT FORMS

(a) Both teams must hand a correct team sheet of participating players and substitutes, available to download from the BDFA website, to the Honorary Secretary or responsible official of the opposing team and to the match official fifteen minutes prior to the official kick off time. The player’s names entered against the numbers on the team sheet must correspond with the shirt numbers they wear during the game. Failure to comply may result in the teams being fined a sum of not less than £19.00.

(b) Any team failing to be available to kick off at the official time may be fined a sum of not less than £20.00 failing a satisfactory explanation within seven days of the offence. Prior to commencement of the match the Referee shall inform the Captain or another responsible official of a Club that he intends to report a late start.

( c) Particulars of each match, shall be entered on the Full-time result card (starting 11, substitutes used, unused substitutes, goal scorers, captain, any red or yellow cards received during the game, and the mark awarded to the referee, This information shall be submitted by the team administrator within one day of the completion of the match. Failure to do so will incur a fine of £20.00 and £3.00 per day beyond the time allowed for submission and/or the Club being dealt with as the Council decides. Any Club playing in a BDFA Cup whether HOME or AWAY and where scheduled games are not played for whatever reason shall enter the relevant details on the fulltime website by the scheduled time.

(d)   Both Clubs shall telephone the result of each match, together with   the goal scorers, to the Cup Competition Secretary on the day of the match as follows:                    

  1. i)  Saturday matches                                                  before 5.15pm
  2. ii) Sunday matches                                                     before 2.15 pm

          iii)   Evening matches                                                  before 10.00 pm    

Clubs failing to comply shall be fined the sum of £20 and/or otherwise dealt with as the Council decide.

20    OBJECTIONS RELATING TO GROUND, GOAL POSTS ETC.

Any objection relative to the ground, goal posts or bars or other

Appurtenances of the game must be made to those responsible for the match, half an hour before the time fixed for kick off. Any defect shall be remedied, if it is possible, without unduly delaying the game. Failing this, the objection shall be made to the Referee prior to the start of the game and shall not be withdrawn without the consent of the Council. Such objection must be intimated to the Referee at the time the violation takes place, and full particulars of any protest relating must be lodged in writing with the Cup Competition Secretary, within five days thereafter accompanied by a deposit of £20 which shall be retained or otherwise as the Council may direct.

21    WITHDRAWALS

Any Club withdrawing from any Cup Competition may be fined a sum not exceeding £100, or dealt with as Council may decide.

  

22    APPOINTMENT OF REFEREES ETC.

(a)    The Referee shall be appointed by the Local Association Referees Committee (LARC) from the official list of the Hampshire FA Ltd and must be of the level required to officiate in both teams normal Competitions.

(b)   Assistant Referees shall be similarly appointed to Semi-Final and Final Ties of the Senior Cup. In all other Cups, Assistant Referees shall be similarly appointed (if available) to Semi-Final and Final Ties. In all rounds unless thought fit by the Council that Assistant Referees are required, each competing Club shall supply an Assistant Referee who shall be properly equipped with a suitable flag and act in accordance with the requirements of the Referee. Clubs failing to do so shall be fined the sum of £15.                  

(c)    In the event of the appointed Referee failing to attend and where Assistant Referees are appointed, the Senior Assistant Referee shall officiate as Referee and another Assistant Referee agreed upon. Where Assistant Referees are not so appointed, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee in writing, and then the game shall be a Cup tie. The written agreement shall be handed to the substitute Referee before the match commences.

(d)   The Referee shall submit a result card giving the result of the match, the number of players used in each team, the time of kick-off plus the team sheets from the match to the Cup Competitions Secretary within three days of the match.

 23    REFEREES FEES ETC.

Referees and Assistant Referees match fees (inclusive of travelling expenses) will be as follows.

BDFA Saturday Senior Cup                         Ref: £45   Asst Ref: £30

BDFA Camerons Sunday Cup                    Ref: £35   Asst Ref: £25

BDFA Page Croft (Saturday Junior) Cup      Ref: £35   Asst Ref: £25        

BDFA Women’s Cup                                   Ref: £35   Asst Ref: £25

BDFA Veterans Cup                                     Ref: £35   Asst Ref: £25

 (a) The Home/1st named Club shall pay the officials their fees on the day of the match prior to kick off of the match. In the Semi-Final ties of the Saturday Senior Cup and in all rounds except for the final ties of all other BDFA Cup Competitions, Match Officials fees shall be shared equally by the competing Clubs, but it shall remain the duty of the home Club to pay the match Officials their fees on the day of the match prior to kick-off. Referees, Assistant Referees and 4th Officials appointed to Cup Finals will be presented with a suitable memento instead of match fees.

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

(c) Referees should be at the venue a minimum of 60 minutes before kick-off time for Saturday Senior Cup matches and all Cup Finals and a minimum of 30 minutes before kick-off time for all other Cup matches.

24    FINES AND CHARGES

All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of imposition (unless otherwise ordered). Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will be fined a sum not exceeding £50. Clubs further non-compliance shall result in their membership of this Association being suspended.

A Club failing to reply to correspondence shall be fined £30.00.

25    CLAIMS FOR NON-FULFILMENT OF FIXTURES ETC.

The Council shall not consider any claim by a Club for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with a postponement or non-fulfilment of a fixture until an attempt has been made by the Clubs concerned to mutually settle the dispute.

 26    HAMPSHIRE FA LIMITED.

The Rules of the Hampshire FA Limited where applicable shall apply in all cases where not covered by the foregoing Rules.