Leaguerulesa

1	PLAYING SEASON

2	CONDITIONS OF PLAY AND LAWS OF MINI SOCCER

1.	TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES

(a)	The Annual General Meeting shall determine the commencing and concluding dates for the ensuing season which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules. No club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date.

Any club failing to be represented at a fixture meeting or otherwise infringing this rule shall be liable to a fine of �10 minimum.

(i)

The season will commence on the last weekend in September and shall be completed by the last day the following April, unless directed by the Management Committee. For all games not completed by this date the Management Committee shall have the power to award one point to each team or otherwise deal with the figure at their discretion. Clubs may be fined.

(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 the Laws of Mini Soccer as set down by the Football Association.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in 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 figures on another ground.

Mini Soccer: The duration of play shall be as follows:-

Over-6s and Under-8s age groups:.................As set by the League Management Committee

Under-9s and Under-10s age groups..............within the parameters decreed by the Football

Under-11s age groups.....................................Association. (Refer to Law 7 in this Handbook).

The earliest times of kick-off shall be fixed by the A.G.M. or the Management Committee . Any club failing to commence at the appointed time may be fined a sum not exceeding �5 (five pounds) 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. The size of football to be used shall be: For Mini Soccer � size 3 for players in the Over-6s/Under-7s, Under-8s, Under-9s age categories, size 4 for Under-10s and Under-11s. Goal nets must be used.

(i)

The home team is responsible for providing Mini Soccer goals and corner flags. The use of "home-made goals or goals with cupped net hooks is strictly prohibited. The referee and team managers must inspect all goals and associated apparatus prior to the start of the game for all possible defects. If in their opinion the equipment may be faulty it should not be used and reported immediately to the owner, plus a report to the League for reference.

(ii)	All portable goals must be anchored in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Reference to the F.A. "Make Safety Your Goal" is highly recommended.

(iii)

All spectators are requested to stand a minimum of one yard from the playing area and must not encroach on to the playing area.

(iv)	Spectators should not be allowed along the goal line nor stand in the vicinity of the goal, but stand along the touchline areas only.

Clubs are recommended to place a rope or similar barrier along the length of the touchlines, being a minimum of one yard form the playing area, to discourage encroachment by spectators on to the playing area, to reduce the possibility of player/spectator collisions, and preserve the touchline markings/reduce the pitch soil erosion from foot traffic by spectators.

Each team must ensure that an adequate first aid kit is taken to every match (plus training sessions) as well as the players' personal and medical details and be readily available at the pitch side. The first aid kit should meet or exceed the following minimum specification:

grab bag

disposable gloves

instant ice dressing pack

triangular bandage

antiseptic wipes plasters (hypo-allergenic)

dressings size 7,8 and

vent aid

water spray and carrier.

It is strongly recommended that all team managers/assistants have a certified knowledge of first aid.

The Management Committee or an individual of the Committee or the match referee have a right to inspect a team's first aid kit and if found insufficient clubs shall be fined up to a maximum of �25 (twenty-five pounds).