NORTH EAST CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
SEASON 2016/2017
This Association shall be called the North East Christian Fellowship League and shall
be affiliated to the Durham (DFA), Northumberland (NFA) and North Riding (NRFA)
County Football Associations.
1. VISION
1. OBJECTIVES
1.1 To provide churches in the North East of England with outreach opportunities
through football.
1.2 To use football as a means of Christian fellowship.
1.3 To use football as a means of representing a positive Christian witness.
1.4 To encourage one another to experience a greater understanding of God’s love.
1.5To encourage pastoral care through practical support and prayer.
2. MEMBERSHIP
2. JOINING THE LEAGUE
2.1 Membership shall be open to all Churches or Christian
Organisations whose message is Evangelical and who believe in the Scriptures as the
inspired Word of God.
2.2 Any club wishing membership of the League must have their application
sanctioned by the League Management Committee and ratified at the Annual General
Meeting (AGM). Clubs must have the support of the Church or Organisation whose
name is being used. The Vicar, Pastor or Leader of the
Church/Organisation is to sign all applications.
2.3 The club must be named after the Church or Christian organisation that it
represents.
2.4 Clubs cannot change their registered names without the permission of their
County FA and the League Management Committee.
2.5 Committed Christians/regular church attendees must have their status verified
on their League Registration Form by the Vicar, Pastor or Leader of the Church or
Christian Organisation which they attend.
2.6 Each team to ensure has a minimum of 5 Christian player in the match day squad for every competitive fixture. To ensure that the NECFL Leage remains true to its foundations while remaining inclusive to all.
2.7 Applications for membership must be submitted on the appropriate form to the
League Secretary no later than 15th May.
2.8 Letters of acceptance or refusal to join the League will be sent in writing to the
Vicar/Pastor/Leader, and Manager of clubs applying for membership.
2.9 Clubs wishing membership must use showers and changing facilities that are
acceptable to the League.
2.10 All teams must contain bona fide amateurs as defined by DFA, NFA and NRFA.
3. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Clubs desiring re-admission to the League for the following season must re-apply
in writing, no later than 15th May. Failure to comply with this requirement will incur
an administration fee of £10.00.
3.2 Clubs intending to resign from the League must notify the League Secretary in
writing no later than 15th May.
3.3 Clubs resigning from the League before the end of the season will incur a
minimum fine of £50.00.
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
4.1 The Annual League Fee shall be fixed at the AGM for each ensuing season. The
League Management Committee will recommend a suitable figure.
4.2 Where necessary, the League Management Committee will inform clubs of the
need for further funds which may be required for the running of the League.
All clubs will be equally liable for meeting these commitments.
Any club failing to meet such commitments within a stipulated period will be liable to
disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3).
4.3 The Annual subscription period will be from 1st June to 31st May. Payment of
League Fees may be made in two equal instalments, due no later than the AGM and
1st December respectively.
4.4 Late payment of League Fees will incur an administration charge of £10.00 for
each month or part month that fees remain unpaid.
Any club which has not paid its instalments by 31st August and 28th February
respectively will be liable to further disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3).
5.MANAGEMENT
5. OFFICERS OF THE LEAGUEMANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
5.1 The Officers of the League Management Committee shall be a
President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer and no more than
six additional members. All Officers of the League Management Committee must be
committed Christians (see Clause 2.5).
5.2 All Officers of the League Management Committee will be elected/re-elected at
the AGM.
5.3 Nominations to the League Management Committee must be submitted in writing
to the League Secretary no later than 15th May.
5.4 Nominations must be proposed and seconded by two current club managers.
5.5 The League Management Committee has the right to co-opt Members on a
temporary basis for specific purposes.
6. DUTIES OF THE LEAGUEMANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
6.1 The League Management Committee will meet regularly, and be responsible for:
6.1.1 The smooth running of the League and its development.
6.1.2 Setting the date, venue and time of the AGM (to be no later than 14th June).
6.1.3 Investigating all protests and complaints.
6.1.4 Interpreting the Rules of the League.
6.1.5 Administering discipline and dispensing justice fairly and without regard to selfinterest.
6.1.6 Calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) if considered necessary.
6.2 Any member of the League Management Committee who is associated with a
club involved in a dispute or protest, must not participate in any meeting of the
Committee which may reach a decision concerning the dispute or protest.
6.3 The powers available to the League Management Committee shall include the
following disciplinary actions against players, officials or clubs:
6.3.1 Censure
6.3.2 Fines (to a maximum of £200.00, but only clubs may be fined, not individuals)
6.3.3 Ordering a match to be replayed
6.3.4 Deduction of points
6.3.5 Suspension
6.3.6 Expulsion (clubs may only be expelled at an AGM or EGM).
6.4 Clubs failing to respond to League correspondence by the specified date will be
liable to disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3).
6.5 Late payment of a fine will incur an administration charge of £10.00 for each
month or part-month that the fine remains unpaid.
6.6 Clubs have the right of appeal against any decisions of this League. Appeals to
be made to DFA, NFA or NRFA (as appropriate) as specified in the respectiveHandbooks.
6.7 If the need arises, the League Management Committee will appoint a Manager
and select a squad of players to represent the League for purposes of a
representative fixture.
7. LEAGUE MEETINGS
7.1 The quorum for any League Meeting will be fixed at 50% of League Members
eligible to vote, and must include either the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and the
League Secretary.
7.2 Each member of the League Management Committee is entitled to one vote.
7.3 Where a member of the League Management Committee is also a current club
manager, he/she is entitled to two votes.
7.4 Each club is entitled to have one voting member present at any League meeting.
This should normally be the current club manager. When a representative is to
attend on behalf of the manager, the League Secretary must be informed at least 24
hours prior to the meeting.
7.5 All matters will be decided by a straight majority vote.
7.6 In the case of a tied vote, the casting vote will go the Chairman or, in his/her
absence, the Vice-Chairman.
7.7 Each club is allowed to have one additional person in attendance at League
Meetings, although he/she is not permitted to vote.
7.8 The League Management Committee has the right to exclude or eject from
League Meetings any representative whose language or behaviour is considered
either offensive or disruptive.
7.9 Non-attendance of League Meetings will incur a £10.00 fine.
7.10 The venue and time of League Meetings will be decided by the League
Management Committee.
7.11 Any costs associated with League Meetings will be shared equally by all clubs.
7.12 The League AGM will be held between 1st and 14th June. Prior to the AGM, a
copy of the accounts, a ‘Constitution Proposal Form’, and an agenda specifying the
‘Order of Business’ will be distributed to all club managers.
7.13 Any club may request an EGM of the League by writing to the League
Secretary. Any written requests for an EGM must clearly state the purpose of the
meeting, and must be countersigned by at least 50% of clubs currently in
membership. Such a request must also be accompanied by an administration fee of
£20.00, which may be refunded at the discretion of the League Management
Committee. All clubs signing EGM requests may be liable for expenses.
8. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
8.1 The rules contained within this constitution may only be replaced or amended at
an AGM or EGM.
8.2 Proposals for changes must be submitted on the ‘Constitution Proposal Form’ to
the League Secretary no later than 15th May.
8.3 Proposals for changes may be forwarded by the League Secretary to DFA, NFA or
NRFA for advice if required.
9. REGISTRATION
9. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
9.1 All clubs must register a new squad of players every season.
9.2 Any player wishing to represent a club within the League must first complete a
League Registration Form, which must then be submitted by the club manager to the
League Secretary for authorisation.
9.3 The League Registration Form of a Christian player must be countersigned by the
Vicar, Pastor or Leader of the Church or Christian Organisation which the player
attends (as per Clause 2.5).
9.4 All League Registration Forms must be received by the League Secretary at least
seven days prior to the first competitive fixture in which the relevant player wishes
to participate.
9.5 No players may be registered after 31st March in any season unless the club can prove to the League Management Committee that core team members will be unable to play for the rest of the season as a result of work/injury (these players will then be un-available for the rest of the season.
9.6 The only circumstances under which match-day registrations will be accepted for
league fixtures are:
9.6.1 A team has less than sixteen players available.
9.6.2 A team is unable to comply with Clause 2.7.
Note: Clause 9.5 still applies
9.7 Match-day registrations will not be accepted under any circumstances for cup
competitions. The penalty for submitting such a registration form is that the team
committing the offence will be removed from the competition.
9.8 Match-day registrations which satisfy the above conditions must be
countersigned by the opposing club manager/ representative, and submitted to the
League Secretary together with a ‘Late Registration Fee’ of £10.00 per player, to
arrive no later than seven days after the fixture.
9.9 Any club fielding an unregistered player in a league fixture will be fined, and will
have three points deducted from their league total. If the club in default wins or
draws the match, their opponents are entitled to request to have the match
replayed. The defaulting club will be responsible for all expenses concerned with the
replay. In addition, the League Management Committee may administer further
disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3), if appropriate.
9.10 Any club fielding an unregistered player in a cup fixture will be fined, and will
forfeit the match. In addition, the League Management Committee may administer
further disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3), if appropriate.
10. TRANSFER OF PLAYERS
10.1 Players may be transferred between teams within the League up to 31st March
in each season.
10.2 New League Registration Forms must accompany Transfer Forms whenever a
player is transferred. Both forms must be received by the League Secretary at least
seven days prior to the first competitive fixture in which the relevant player wishes
to represent his new club.
10.3 Within any season, a transferred player may not represent his new team in any
cup competition in which he has previously participated during that season.
10.4 Any player in debt to his club cannot be transferred to another club until his
debt is cleared.
10.5 A player, when transferred, must remain with his new club for a minimum of 28
days.
11. COMPETITIVE FIXTURES
11. GENERAL ORGANISATION
11.1 Each club will receive a copy of the League and Cup Fixtures from the League
Secretary, prior to the start of each season.
Fixtures are to be played on the stipulated dates.
11.2 The League shall start no earlier than August 22nd or there about and shall be concluded by first Wednesday in May or as soon after as is possible
11.3 Saturday fixtures will kick-off at 10:30am. Midweek fixtures will kick-off at a
time mutually agreed by the clubs concerned.
11.4 League and Cup matches may only be postponed for the following reasons:
11.4.1 Weather: subject to the grounds man or referee's decision.
11.4.2 Re-scheduling of fixtures: in order to facilitate easier completion of the entire
fixture list, and subject to the agreement of the League Management Committee and
the opposing club manager.
11.4.3 Participation in County FA Minor Cup or CPO National Football Cup.
11.4.4 Church commitments: requests to be made in writing to the League Secretary
at least three weeks prior to the fixture, and subject to the approval of the League
Management Committee.
11.4.5 Other commitments: special requests for free dates must be fully explained in
writing to the League Secretary at least three weeks prior to the fixture. The decision
of the League Management Committee will be final.
11.5 The League Secretary must be informed of the reasons for postponement of
any match. The League Management Committee will make any necessary decision
regarding expenses and disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3).
11.5.1 Any team postponing a match within 14 days of a scheduled fixture or a re-scheduled fixture by the NECFL League Secretary will be deducted 3 points and lose the match 3-0. The opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 win and three points.The match will not need to be rearranged or played
11.6 Clubs should endeavour to play postponed matches at the earliest possible date
which is mutually agreeable. If a date cannot be agreed, the home manager must
inform the League Secretary, who may refer to the League Management Committee
for a decision.
11.7 All fixtures must be completed before the Saturday of the NECFL League Cup
Final. Any club failing to complete its fixtures by this date will be cited to appear
before the League Management Committee, which will investigate the matter and
make the necessary decisions.
11.8 No matchesmay be played on the day of The Andy Walker Trophy, The NECFL League
Cup Final and The Memorial Cup Final. It is hoped that clubs not playing will lend their support by attending the
Finals.
12. LEAGUE STRUCTURE
12.1 The structure of the League will be reviewed annually at the AGM.
12.2 Automatic promotion and relegation between divisions will operate within the
League: top two promoted; bottom two relegated.
12.3 In the event of changes to the league structure, additional teams from a lower
division will be promoted in accordance with their League position.
12.3 Teams will be awarded three points for a win, and one point for a draw.
12.4 Final League position will be determined on the following basis:
12.4.1 Points
12.4.2 Goal difference
12.4.3 Goals scored
12.4.4 Results between the teams concerned
12.4.5 A play-off between the teams concerned.
13. CUP COMPETITIONS
13.1 The League will operate three cup competitions: The NECFL Cup, The Andy Walker
Trophy, and The Memorial Cup.
13.2 All cup matches must be settled on the day of the fixture (or the second leg of a
two-leg tie), excepting the referee’s decision as final.
The Andy Walker Trophy will be begin in Group stages, with the winner of the groups and if needs be best runner’s up, The remaining teams will then form The Memorial Cup, the parameters of The Andy Walker Trophy and The Memorial Cup will be presented at the AGM as the number of teams in the NECFL fluctuates from season to season.
After the group stages in The Andy Walker Trophy the competition will be a knock competition and revert to the format below.
13.3 In the event of a draw after normal time, extra-time will be played.
13.4 In the event of a draw after extra-time, the result will be decided by penalty
kicks as follows:
13.4.1 Best of five
13.4.2 Sudden-death.
13.5 The League Secretary will be responsible for arranging a neutral venue and
match officials for both finals.
Expenses associated with venue and officials will be paid by the league.
13.5.1 All clubs are also eligible to participate in the CPO National Football Cup and
their County FA Minor Cup.
13.6 No player may play in the final of either cup competition unless he has played
in a previous round of the same competition.
13.7 The League Secretary will be responsible for arranging a neutral venue and
match officials for both finals. Expenses associated with venues and officials will be
paid by the League.
13.8 All clubs are also eligible to participate in the CPO National Football Cup, and
their County FA Minor Cup.
14. MATCH PREPARATION
14.1 The home club is responsible for:
14.1.1 Providing and paying for a suitable venue (to include goal nets, corner flags
and clear pitch markings).
14.1.2 Arranging an FA-affiliated referee and paying his/her expenses.
14.1.3 Providing two match-quality footballs.
14.2 The away club is responsible for:
14.2.1 Confirming match arrangements (by Wednesday evening for Saturday
matches and by Sunday evening for midweek matches).
14.2.2 Changing their strip in the event of a colour-clash.
14.3 Both clubs are responsible for providing a standard First Aid Kit, as specified on
the League Registration Form.
14.4 Both clubs should endeavour to provide someone to act as assistant referee.
14.5 Both club managers must confirm the number of Christian players in their
respective teams prior to kick-off. Clubs failing to fulfil Clause 2.7 will be liable to
disciplinary action (as per Clause 6.3).
14.5.1Teams to fill in their Team Players Section and Referee on the NECFL League Result
Provide by the Home Team Managers and discuss any irregularities (eg. Less than five Christians) before the match commences. The reminder of The NECFL League Result Sheet to be completed after the match.
14.6 In the event of a referee arriving at a venue and having to cancel the fixture,
he/she is entitled to claim half of the match-fee plus travelling expenses (as per FA
rules).
14.7 In the event of the non-appearance of the match referee, both clubs may agree
upon a substitute referee. If the match referee arrives after the game has started,
he/she must take charge of the match at the earliest opportunity. If both clubs fail to