550 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association and
additions, for Youth Competitions. Youth Competitions may add to the core of the Standard Code,
which is mandatory, as they see fit.

This Standard Code of Rules is mandatory for all Youth Competitions. Competitions seeking
sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with the code putting them in the correctly
numbered Rule and showing the standard heading. The mandatory element is printed in normal
text and the optional elements of the Standard Code in italics.

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

1. (A) This Competition shall be designated the
League/Cup and known as the
(sponsorship title) and shall consist of not more than
Clubs approved by the sanctioning authority.
All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and
their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form
“D” to the County Football Association. The area covered
by the Competition Membership shall be
.
This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the
Football Association(s) and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in
divisions, each not exceeding in number.
Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other
Competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the
written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
This Competition wishes to become a designated Charter Standard League. Existing
Member Clubs have two years (until the end of the 2012-13 season) to achieve the Charter
Standard club award or face expulsion from the League. New Member Clubs have one year
to achieve the Charter Standard club award. The League has the right to refuse membership
to a Club if it fails to demonstrate commitment to achieving the award.
This Competition and its Clubs shall support the FA’s Respect programme. As such it
recognises that everyone in football has a collective responsibility to create a fair, safe and
enjoyable environment in which the game can take place. A Respect League values the
courtesy and fairness by opposing players, club officials and spectators. The League and
its Clubs will seek to play fixtures in a fair, competitive but not antagonistic environment.
The competition will provide 11-a-side football for players who have attained the age of
10 as at midnight 31st August in a playing season and Mini-Soccer for players who have
attained the age of 6 years but not the age of 10 years as at midnight on 31st August in
a playing season. 9v9 may be provided for players who have attained the age of 9 as at
midnight on 31st August in accordance with Rule 8(B).
Other formats of youth football as authorised from time to time by the FA are also permitted.
(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.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 551

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

2. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional
team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an Entry
Fee of per team which 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.
When Rule 12(B) is applied and a team seeks a transfer or is compulsorily transferred to
another division no Entry Fee shall be payable.
(B) The Annual Subscription shall be £ per Club/Team playing
11-a-side football, £ per Club/Team playing 9v9 football
and £ per Club / Team playing Mini-Soccer payable on or before the
in each year.
(C) Each Club shall, within days/on the day of election, pay a Deposit of
which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled
their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.
(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee, Annual Subscription and
Deposit have been paid.
(E) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by
of its County Football Association affiliation number
for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined .
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.

OFFICERS
3. The Officers of the Competition shall be determined by the Annual General Meeting and
elected thereat.
(N.B. Auditors are not Officers).

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (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
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 in each year. Names of the candidates for
election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of
there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations
may be received at the Annual General Meeting
(C) The Management Committee shall meet at least quarterly.
On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management
Committee the Secretary shall convene a 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.
552 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
5. (A) The Management Committee appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers
as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub- committees shall be reported to the
Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power to
deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that
are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association or affiliated Association.
(B) Subject to the permission of the County Football Association having
been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played
each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary,
may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season)
to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of
the season. (See Rule 6(e)).
(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at
all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall
be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so
represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (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.
With the exception of Rules 5(i), 6(h), 10(a), 11 and 19 for any breaches of Rule
a formal written charge must be issued. The respondent shall be given seven
days from the date of notice to reply to the charge and given the opportunity to:-
(i) Accept or deny the charge
(ii) Submit in writing a case of mitigation, or
(iii) Put their case before the Management Committee.
All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association
shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules by the appropriate Association.
With the exception of Clubs playing at Step 7 of the Football Pyramid and the FA
Women’s Premier League, the maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Competition
rule is £250 and, when setting any fine, the Competition must ensure that the penalty
is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.
(E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding
subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned
within days.
(F) Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and
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.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 553

(I) 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 fixtures
being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding payments are settled.
(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 or Special General Meeting
called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
(L) No participant under the age of 18 can be fined.
(M) Leagues who organise Mini Soccer for teams playing U7 and U8 football may not, with the
exception of Rules 6, 10(a),11d, 14 and 19 fine clubs for breaches of League Rules.
(N) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may/shall
be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than
in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at
least Members 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) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management
Committee).
(v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(vii) Appointment of Auditors.
(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(ix) Fix the date for the commencement of the season and kick off times applicable to
the Competitions.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being
relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
(B) A copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda
shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the
County Football Association(s).
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall
be sent to the County Football Association(s) within fourteen
days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.
(D) Each Member Club/team shall be empowered to send two delegates
to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one
vote only. Fourteen days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the sea-
son being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled
to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being conclud-
ed. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at
least of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
554 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Member Club.
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting
without satisfactory reason being given shall/may be fined .
(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an
Annual General Meeting.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
7. 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 Competition and
do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership,
to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the
decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal
in accordance with Rule 16.”
Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified
to the 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).

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
8. (A) (i) Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this
Competition. A contract player may only play for the Club that holds his contract. It
is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player signing a registration form
for that Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate.
Clearance is required for any Player aged 12 and over crossing borders including Wales,
Scotland and Ireland.
(ii) No player registered with a FA 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.
(iii) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces, a player must first obtain
the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for a
Club.
(B) A registered youth playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible,
has:-
(i) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink,
countersigned by his /her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who
has been registered with the (Registrations) Secretary days prior
to playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the
Club prior to playing. The registration document must incorporate any known serious
medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details of the player’s
parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events
the player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.
(ii) Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match
day prior to playing, countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an
Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the (Registrations) Secretary within two
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 555

days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the match. The player shall not again play
until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil. A maximum of
players may be registered in this way. The registration document must incorporate
any known serious medical conditions of the player and emergency contact details
of the players parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and
training events the player attends within the management of the Club or Competition.
Registration forms may also be submitted to the (Registrations) Secretary by facsimile
machine prior to the player playing. The original document must be forwarded by post
within three days of the match to the appropriate Officer.
The registration document must incorporate a current passport-size photograph of
the player seeking registration together with proof of the player’s date of birth.
If a player’s age is required for registration purposes a Competition must accept an
original birth certificate or a photocopy. In cases where the birth certificate is not
available a Competition is required to accept a photocopy of the player’s passport or
other official document issued by a Government Agency attesting to the player’s date
of birth.

The qualification dates for the competition shall be as follows:

Mini-Soccer
To play in a KO Cup game or a game where points are awarded, or results published, a player
must have achieved the age of 8 on or before 31st August.
Under 7 – the player must have attained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season but must be under the age of 7 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing
season.
Under 8 – the player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 9 – the player must be under the age of 9 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 10 – the player must be under the age of 10 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player in the above age ranges must not
play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more.
Youth Football
Under 11 – the player must have attained the age of 10 but must be under the age of 11
by midnight 31st August in the playing season if the format of football is 11v11. If the format
provided is 9v9, the player must have attained the age of 9 but must be under 11 as at
midnight on 31st August in the playing season.
Under 12 – the player must be under the age of 12 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 13 – the player must be under the age of 13 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 14 – the player must be under the age of 14 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 15 – the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 16 – the player must be under the age of 16 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
556 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

Under 17 – the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
Under 18 – the player must be under the age of 18 as at midnight on 31st August in the
playing season.
In accordance with the foregoing qualifications a player under the age of 15 as at midnight
on 31st August in the playing season must not play in a match where any other player is
older or younger by 2 years or more.
The above qualification dates are subject to the provisions contained in FA Rule C.4(a)(v),
(vi) and (vii).
(C) A team shall not include any player/more than players who has/have taken part
in any or more senior competition matches during the current season unless
a period of days has elapsed since they played.
For the purpose of this Competition a senior competition(s) is/are .
(D) A player having taken part in matches for any Club affiliated to any County Football
Association shall not be allowed to join, be transferred to, or sign for a Club in the
Competition without first proving to the officials of the intended Club that the player has
discharged all reasonable financial liabilities to the previous Club or Clubs, and a Club official
may not accept such player’s signature without first ascertaining whether such claims have
been discharged to the satisfaction of the Club, or Clubs, for which the player last played.
(E) A fee of shall be paid for each player registered.
Registration forms shall be obtained from the (Registrations) Secretary on prepayment of
per form.
(F) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for
more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be
registered. The (Registrations) Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the
player of the fact of the previous registration.
(G) It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to:-
(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without first being
transferred.
(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the
Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer.
(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully neglected
to accurately or fully complete.
(H) (i) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any
player subject to the provisions of clauses (ii) and (iii) below.
(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the
registration of any player who has been charged and found guilty of registration
irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).
(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel
the registration of any player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject
to Rule 16) subject to the right of appeal to the FA or the relevant County Football
Association.
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which
may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition. Application should
be made to the parent County of the Club the player is registered or intending to be
registered with.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 557

(iv) For a player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with clause
(iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be
under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should
the player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the
Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered
to consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.
(Note: Action under Clause (iii) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct until
the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of
the player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any case be subject to an
Appeal to the Football Association. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For
the purpose of this Rule, bringing the competition into disrepute can only be considered
where the player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match
based discipline, in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence for any
team playing in this Competition.)
(I) Subject to FA Rule C2(a) dealing with players without a written contract when a player
desires a transfer, the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form
to the (Registrations) Secretary accompanied by a fee of .
Such transfer shall be referred by the (Registrations) Secretary to the Club for which the
player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in
writing to the (Registrations) Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of
receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give
written objection within seven days, the (Registrations) Secretary may, on behalf of the
Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the
new Club from such date or days after receipt of such transfer.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management
Committee for a decision.
(J) A player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the
Competition after [date] except by special permission of
the Management Committee.
(K) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which
they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management
Committee.
In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly
identifiable but not designated ‘A’ or ‘B’ or 1st or 2nd. In such cases, players will be
registered for one team only. A player so registered will be allowed to play for his Club in a
younger or older age group within the provisions of Rule 8 (B).
(L) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of
registration, shall be kept by the (Registrations) Secretary and shall be open to the
inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management
Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one
Season only.
(M) A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship, promotion
or relegation deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A)) unless the player has played
games for that team in this Competition in the current season.
(N) A player who has played for a team in the Division times
or more shall not in that season be eligible to play in a lower Division except by permission
of the Management Committee.
(Note: There are many differing procedures to cover eligibility of players in various divisions
of which the above is only one example. A Competition should adopt a Rule to suit their
particular requirements.)
558 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

(O) (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may/shall
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/shall 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 fit.
(iii) The Management Committee may, at its discretion, award the points available in the
match in question to the opponents, subject to the match not being ordered to be
replayed.
(The following Clause applies to Competitions involving players in full-time secondary
education):-
(P) (i) Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. This is
not applicable for under 17/18 football.
(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday
Competitions).
(iii) Children under 15 shall not play in a team involving players who are more than 2 years
older.

CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME

9. (A) Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by
(date) 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
days before the match.
If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away/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 .
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.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must obtain permission from its
affiliated County Football Association and from the Management Committee.

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY

TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall determine the date for the commencement of the
season in accordance with Football Association Rules. Original fixtures arranged by the
(Fixtures) Secretary, or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, to be held no later
than , must not be arranged for a date later than seven days
preceding the concluding date.
If mutually arranged at a meeting a list of fixtures must be forwarded to the (Fixtures)
Secretary within seven days of the meeting. Fixtures are deemed to be accepted unless
objections are received by the (Fixtures) Secretary within fourteen 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 of and the Management Committee
or the (Fixtures) Secretary shall arrange that Club’s fixtures.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 559

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the
International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, and 9v9 football, the Laws as
set down by The Football Association.
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.
All matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time (not less than
minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee
prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.
For Mini-Soccer – The maximum duration of play shall be two halves of 20 minutes each
way. The maximum playing time in any one day for under 7 and under 8 age groups is 40
minutes and for under 9 and under 10 age groups is 60 minutes.
For Youth football – The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by
all parties to reduce the time. For under 11 and under 12, 30 minutes each half; for under
13, 14, 35 minutes each half and under15 and under 16, 40 minutes each half; under 17 and
under 18, 45 minutes each half.
The minimum time for any game will not be less than 20 minutes each half for players in the
under 14 age group and below and 25 minutes each half for all other age groups.
No player participating in an under 17 division or lower age group shall be permitted to play
as at midnight on 31st August in any season shall be permitted to play more than one game
or, in the event the competition allows the playing of a double-header, ie: two separate
matches, 100 minutes per day in this Competition.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM. Any Club failing to
commence at the appointed time shall/may be fined a sum not exceeding
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.
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.
A size 3 ball will be used for age groups U7 to U9.
A size 4 ball will be used for age groups U10 to U14.
A size 5 ball will be used for all other age groups.
Goal nets must be used.
(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the
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 (Fixtures)
Secretary.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days
notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).
(D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location
of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of
the opposing Club at least 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 liable to a fine of .
560 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

(E) In the event of a Club playing in any match with less than players
they may/shall be fined for each missing player. A minimum of
players will constitute a team for a Competition match.
(F) (i) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its
engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct
points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the
opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents
or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Not withstanding the foregoing
home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a
match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are
satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
(ii) Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its
fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:- First Team,
Reserve Team, A Team. Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined a sum
not exceeding or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.
(iii) Any club unable to fulfil a fixture must, without delay, give notice to the (Fixtures)
Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the Secretary of the
opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by
the Management Committee who may inflict a fine.
(iv) 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 (Fixtures) Secretary within 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. Providing gate money is taken and retained the visiting Club shall
receive their actual standard class rail or bus fares or the equivalent for
persons, or car allowance at p per mile for transporting
persons, or hire charge of a coach (receipt to be submitted). The residue (if any) to be
equally divided between the two Clubs after deducting the cost of advertising, print-
ing, posting, police and match officials charges. The home Club shall take the whole of
the proceeds of the second match.
(v) The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases where it is
consequent upon the conduct of either or both teams. Where it is to the advantage of the
Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee shall be
empowered to order the score at the time of the 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 opponent. In cases where a match has been abandoned owing
to the conduct of both teams or their Club member(s), the Management Committee
shall rule all points for the match as void. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management
Committee for an abandoned match.
The Management Committee shall review any match that has taken place where
either or both teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by the Association
or Affiliated Association. In each case the team that was under suspension would
be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players
in accordance with Rule 8(O) above. Where both teams were under suspension the
game must be declared null and void.
(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use
substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from
(3,4,5,6 or 7) players.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 561

For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the
permission of the Referee. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a
stoppage in play. A player who has been replaced may return to the play as a substitute for
another player. A Team must not have a squad greater than double the size of its team
in an age group.
For Youth Football – for teams in the under 18 age group and below, 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.
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than
minutes before the start of the match.
A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the
match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player
in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
(H) The half time interval shall be of minutes duration, but it shall
not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of
the referee.
(I) The League shall require all players and club officials to have signed the FA’s Respect Codes
of Conduct and produce these if so requested by the League management committee.
Prior to each match the participating teams and officials shall conduct the ‘Respect’
handshake and/or participating teams to offer ‘three cheers’ and handshakes to the
opposing team after the match.
The participating clubs taking part in the fixture shall identify a team captain designated
with a captain’s armband who has a responsibility to offer support in the management of
the on-field discipline of his/her team mates. If the participating players are considered to
be too young to take on this role a member of the team coaching staff should provide this
support.
Each home club shall make arrangements for the provision of designated areas for
spectators. This area can be marked by an additional painted line, the use of cones, a roped
off area or use of a temporary spectator barrier. The area for spectators should start two
metres from the touchline on both sides of the pitch. Each area should run the full length
of the pitch. It is recognised, however, that the alignment of some public pitches does not
allow for this arrangement in which case other appropriate arrangements should be made.
(J) The format below will be the maximum format allowed for each age group for the 2013/14
season.
U7 – 5v5
U8 – 7v7
U9 – 7v7
U10 – 7v7
U11 – 9v9
U12 – 11v11
U13 – U18 – up to 11v11
From the beginning of the 2014/15 season the format below will be adopted.
U7 – 5v5
U8 – 5v5
U9 – 7v7
U10 - 7v7
U11 – 9v9
U12 – 9v9
U13 – U18 – up to 11v11
562 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

REPORTING RESULTS
11. (A) The (Registration/Fixtures) Secretary must receive within days of
the date played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This
must include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also
the Referee markings required by Rule 13, or any other information required by the
Competition. Failure to do so will incur a fine of and/or the
Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.
(B) The Home Club shall telephone the result of each match to the
by . Clubs in default shall be fined.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible
member of the Club. Failure to do so will result in a fine of .
NB. If the fixed penalty exceeds £20 the Club must be charged as detailed in Rule 5(D).
(D) Leagues are permitted to collect but not to publish results for fixtures they organise
for U7 and U8 Mini Soccer. They may require a Club to confirm that a set fixture
has been played. A maximum fine of £5 may be imposed for a breach of this Rule.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
12. (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with
points to be awarded for a win and points for a drawn match. The teams gaining the
highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged
the winners. Matches must not be played for double points. In Mini Soccer points can only
be awarded for Under 9 Competitions onwards.
In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings may be decided in
any one or more of the following ways:-
(i) goal average or goal difference
(ii) goals scored or deciding match(es) played under conditions determined by the
Management Committee.
(B) Automatic promotion and relegation shall be applied for the first and
last teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject
to the provisions of Rule 1(b).
(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 teams in the lowest Division shall retire, but be eligible for
re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of paragraph (B)(i) above.
(iv) When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a
member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or
retain its position in, the next lower Division; and should the senior team be relegated
to the lowest Division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition.
(v) Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the Divisions have its senior team
in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meet-
ing, to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned.
(C) 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.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 563

(D) Where a promotion and/or relegation link exists between Competitions

Clubs, providing they meet the appropriate grading criteria, will be eligible to make
application to the Competition at their Annual General Meeting.
Should the Champion Club not wish for promotion or, alternatively, not have the necessary
grading criteria, then the or place Club will be eligible under
the same conditions.
At the end of each season and depending on the geographical location of Clubs gaining
promotion to or being relegated from the Competition, it may
be necessary for the Competition either (a) to accept a Club from the
Competition, or (b) have a Club transferred to the same Competition.
The bottom Clubs in the Competition will
be relegated. Each relegated Club will be allocated either to the
Competition or to the Competition recommended as most
appropriate by the Joint Liaison Committee. Clubs will be promoted to the
Competition from the
Competition, and the Competition providing that each Club
is either the Champion Club or Runner-up or place Club and
has the necessary grading criteria.
In the event of there being no eligible Club wishing promotion or not having the necessary
grading criteria from any of the Competitions, this will reduce the number of Clubs to be
relegated from the Competition.
If only Clubs are eligible or wish for promotion, the bottom Clubs in the
Competition will be relegated. If only Club is
eligible or wishes promotion, only the bottom Club in the
Competition will be relegated.
If no Clubs are eligible, or wish for promotion, no Clubs will be relegated from the
Competition.
In the event of a Competition Club not being placed in the
bottom Clubs at the end of the season, wishing to resign from the Competition at
the end of the season, or having been excluded under Rule only Clubs
will be relegated at the end of the season.
In the event of a Competition Club opting to be relegated
or being relegated under Rule such Club or Clubs will replace the Club or Clubs
otherwise due for relegation.

REFEREES
13. (A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) 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) Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.
Failure to do so will result in a fine of being imposed on the defaulting Club.
(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 ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and
whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.
564 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the sanctioning Association Match Officials
appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee of and travel expenses
of per mile/or inclusive of travel expenses.
The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and/or expenses before/immediately after
the match.
(F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs
have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to full fee plus expenses/half
fee plus expenses/expenses only. 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
and expenses.
(G) A Referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation
as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he or she is
registered.
(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association,
award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks
awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs
failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management
Committee shall determine.
(I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the
prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County
Football Association.
(J) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of
the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the (Registration)
Secretary within two days of the match.
(K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the
Competition Rules free of charge.
(L) Referees and Assistant Referees shall have undertaken a Respect briefing offered by the
FA/County FA or the League.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) After 31st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional
intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and
fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in
writing by 31st March/ each Season or be liable to a fine not exceeding
.
All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season
must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by .
(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 not exceeding per team and shall
also be liable for its share of any call which may be made under Rule 5(B).
(C) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at a Special General Meeting
held for that purpose not earlier than nor later than or at the
Annual General Meeting held not later than the Competition
shall have the right, irrespective of other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club
to withdraw its team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its
engagements.
(D) In the event of a Member Club which is an un-incorporated association withdrawing and/or
disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations
to the Competition.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 565

In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one
(21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding
those under 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.

PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

15. (A) (i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall
be referred to the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities
of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest
is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match. Any Club lodging
such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule
and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
(B) Except in 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
days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to
which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the
Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of
any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club)
when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination
by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject
to Rule 16.
(D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the
complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of .
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 to be shared by the parties.
(E) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must
be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or
complaint being heard.
(i) All parties must have received days’ notice of the Hearing should they be instructed
to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then they should forward
a deposit of £ and indicate such when forwarding the written response.
(F) 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.
BOARD OF APPEAL
16. Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management
Committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may
appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the
Football Association, including a fee of , for adjudication of a Board
of Appeal. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal
may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall
be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting
unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
566 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS
17. (A) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, 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 which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (⅔) of
those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
(B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the
power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or team of a Club
whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more
than) two-thirds (⅔rds) 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 official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, 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) Any Club or Team failing to complete of its fixtures in any season shall
(unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the
Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of
two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.

TROPHY:-
LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.
18. (A) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a trophy or any other presentation shall
be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as
the sanctioning Association may decide.
(B) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:-
“We A and B , the Chairman and Secretary of
FC, members of and representing the Club, having been
declared winners of Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to
us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return
the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before .
If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the
Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”
Failure to comply will result in a fine as determined by the Management Committee.
(C) At the close of each Competition awards may/shall be made to the winners and runners-up
if the funds of the Competition permit.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19. Upon receiving a requisition 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 seven 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 Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings.
 STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR YOUTH COMPETITIONS 567

Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only, as will members of the Management Committee.
Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without
satisfactory reason being given shall/may be fined .
Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all
Special General Meetings.

ALTERATION TO RULES
20. Alterations, for which consent has been given by the sanctioning Association, shall be
made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting
specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made
during the playing season to the Rule relating to the qualification of players shall not take
effect until the following season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall be
submitted to the Secretary by in each year. The proposals, together
with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by
and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary
by . The proposals and proposed amendments thereto shall be
circulated to Clubs with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. A proposal to change a
Rule shall be carried if [a majority] 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 days prior to the date of the meeting.

FINANCE
21. (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 £ shall be approved by the Management Committee.
Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management
Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on .
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be
audited/verified annually by some suitable person(s) who shall be appointed at the Annual
General Meeting.

INSURANCE
22. All Clubs must have public liability insurance cover of at least ten million pounds
(£10,000,000).