1.  NOMENCLATURE  AND  CONSTITUTION

A)        This Competition shall be designated the Buckingham Charity Football Cup and shall consist of not more than 16 Clubs in the Senior Cup and not more than 16 Clubs in the Junior Cup.

B)        Membership of this Competition shall be by invitation and each Club shall be invited to enter a team to compete in one Cup only.

1.         A Club playing in a League sanctioned by The Football Association in accordance with Regulation 3 of The FA Regulations for the control and sanction of League Competitions eg Conference League, Southern League, Isthmian League, United Counties League, Spartan South Midlands League, Hellenic League and their Reserve Sections, the FA Challenge Cup, FA Challenge Trophy, FA Challenge Vase, the Senior Cup or Senior Trophy of any County Football Association, shall not be permitted to compete in the Junior Cup, except in the case of Level Four Leagues (eg Aylesbury & District League, Bedford & District League, North Bucks & District League and Oxfordshire Senior League) whose parent County Football Association requires any clubs in those leagues to be entered into its Senior Cup or Senior Trophy competitions.

C)        All Member Clubs shall be affiliated to an Affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on Form ‘E’ to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association Ltd.  The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be within a 50 mile radius of Buckingham Town Hall.  Clubs outside this radius may be invited but shall be subject to acceptance at the Annual General Meeting.

D)        This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association Ltd.

2.  ENTRY FEE

A)        The entry fee to both Cups shall be Ten Pounds per Club, payable by 1 August.

B)        A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee has been paid.

C)        Each Club shall advise the Secretary in writing on the prescribed entry form by 1 August of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming season and any other information required by the Competition, failing which it shall be fined Ten Pounds.

3.  OFFICERS

A)        The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Match Secretary and Referees Secretary, who shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

B)        Life Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents shall be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting.

4.  MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

A)        The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Council comprised of the Officers and up to ten Councillors who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

B)        Retiring Officers and Councillors shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.  All other candidates for election as Officers or Councillors shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs or two Council Members or a combination of both, not later than 14 May in each year.  Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.

C)        Council shall meet as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises, or as determined by the Chairman.

D)        On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Council Members, the Secretary shall convene a meeting of Council.

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

F)        All correspondence received from a Club shall be conducted through its Secretary.

5.  POWERS OF MANAGEMENT

A)        Council may appoint such sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such sub-committees.  The decisions of all such sub-committees shall be reported to Council for ratification.

B)        Subject to the permission of the Berks & Bucks County Football Association Ltd having been obtained, Council may order 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 that may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sum as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season.

C)        Each Council Member shall have the right to attend all Council Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Council Member shall be allowed to vote on any matter directly appertaining to such Member or to any Club of which he/she is a Member.  (This shall also apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).

D)        In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

E)        Council 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 these Rules.  Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty, any Club alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule shall be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present its case before Council.  All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association, shall be dealt with in accordance with Football Association rules.

F)        All decisions of Council shall be binding, subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.  Decisions of Council shall be notified in writing to those concerned within 14 days.

G)        Five Council Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of Council and three Council Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Committee.

H)        Council, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

I)          A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of Council, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be fined Ten Pounds.

J)         All fines and charges shall be paid within 21 days of the date of posting of the written notification.  Clubs committing a breach of this Rule shall incur a fine of Ten Pounds.

6.  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A)        The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30 June in each year.  At this Meeting, the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of Members entitled to vote are present.

1.         Receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.

2.         Consider any business arising therefrom.

3.         Receive and adopt the Annual Report and Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

4.         Confirm the Distribution of Funds.

5.         Agree invitations to Clubs.

6.         Elect Officers and Councillors.

7.         Confirm Life Vice-Presidents and Vice-Presidents.

8.         Appointment of Auditor.

9.         Alteration to Rules, if any, of which notice has been given.

10.       Fix the dates for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season.

11.       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 Balance Sheet, proposed Distribution of Funds and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Member Club and to its relevant County Football Association not less than 14 days prior to the Meeting.

C)        The Annual General Meeting shall send a signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association within 14 days of its adoption.

D)        Each Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting and shall be entitled to move, second and vote on any motion thereat.  Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.  Not less than 14 days notice shall be given of any meeting.

E)        Any Club failing to be represented at an Annual General Meeting shall be fined Twenty Pounds.

F)        Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded.

G)        Life Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers and Councillors shall be entitled to attend an Annual General Meeting and shall be entitled to move, second and vote on any motion thereat.

H)        Other attendees shall be at the discretion of the Council.

I)          All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote, or the Chairman so decides.

7.  AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

A)        The Chairman and Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the Agreement form, which shall be deposited with the Competition.

B)        Where the Secretary and Chairman of a Club are one and the same person, that person shall sign and the Secretary and another person, who shall be an officer of the Club, shall sign and signify his/her Office.

C)        Any alteration of the Secretary, Chairman or other Officer on the Agreement form, shall be notified immediately to the Competition Secretary.

8.  QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

A)        No player shall play for more than one Club in this Competition during the same season.

B)        Only players registered by a Club with its senior League Competition up to and including 31 March shall be eligible to play in this Competition and shall be registered with that League not less than 7 days prior to the first game in which it is intended that they should play in this Competition.

C)        A player having played during the current season in a League sanctioned by The Football Association in accordance with Regulation 3 of The FA Regulations for the control and sanction of League Competitions.

D)        eg Conference League, Southern League, Isthmian League, United Counties League, Spartan South Midlands League, Hellenic League and their Reserve Sections, the FA Challenge Cup, FA Challenge Trophy, FA Challenge Vase, the Senior Cup or Senior Trophy of any County Football Association shall not be permitted to compete in the Junior Cup, except in the case of a player registered with a club in a Level Four League (eg Aylesbury & District League, Bedford & District League, North Bucks & District League and Oxfordshire Senior League) whose parent County Football Association requires it to be entered into its Senior Cup or Senior Trophy competitions.

E)        In the Junior Cup only, each Club shall submit a list of players on the prescribed form, for registration purposes, to be received by the Match Secretary not less than 7 days prior to the first game that the Club is scheduled to play in the Competition.  Players may be added to this list, in writing, up to and including 31 March.  Failure to submit the list of players by the due date shall incur a fine of Twenty Pounds.

F)        Council shall have power to accept the registration of any player.  Council shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 16).

G)        Council shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition (subject to Rule 16).

(Note:  Action under this Clause shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute).

H)        In the Junior Cup only, for the Semi Final tie, each Club shall, not less than 14 days before the scheduled date of the tie, send to the Competition Match Secretary and to the opposing Club, a list of players from which the team for the Semi Final tie shall be selected.  Notice of objection to the qualification of any player(s) shall be sent to the Competition Match Secretary and to the opposing Club not less than 7 days before the tie.  For postponed or abandoned ties or ties ordered to be replayed by Council, the original list of players submitted shall stand.  Failure to submit the list within the specified time shall incur a fine of Twenty Pounds.

I)          In both the Senior Cup and the Junior Cup, for the Final tie each Club shall, not less than 14 days before the game, send to the Competition Match Secretary and to the opposing Club, a list of players from which the team for the Final tie shall be selected.  Notice of objection to the qualification of any player(s) shall be sent to the Competition Match Secretary and to the opposing Club not less than 7 days before the game.  For postponed or abandoned ties or ties ordered to be replayed by Council, the original list of players submitted shall stand.  Failure to submit the list within the specified time shall incur a fine of Twenty Pounds.

J)         A Club playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player shall be fined Twenty Pounds for each such player and the tie shall be awarded to its opponents.

9.  CLUB COLOURS

A)        Every Club shall register the first choice colours and the alternative colours of its shirts, shorts and socks with the Competition by 1 August and the Competition shall decide as to their suitability.

B)        Goalkeepers shall wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the Referee.

C)        No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

D)        If two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall change.  For Final ties, Clubs shall mutually agree any change, failing which, Council, following consultation with the Clubs concerned, shall decide.  Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change, shall be fined Ten Pounds.

10.  CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KIRK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES

A)        The Senior Cup shall be a floodlight competition and Clubs shall have floodlights of a minimum 110 lux factor, except:

1)         At the discretion of Council, Clubs without floodlights may be invited to compete, subject to their agreement that they play away from home. 

B)        In the Senior Cup, a date by which each round is to be completed shall be set by Council and all ties shall be played on or before that date.

1.         Senior Clubs shall mutually agree a date and kick-off time for each tie.  In the event that the Clubs cannot agree a date, the tie shall be played on the date set by the Competition.

C)        Senior Clubs shall give not less than 14 days notice of a tie to the Competition Match Secretary.  Failure to do so shall incur a fine of Ten Pounds.

D)        The Junior Cup shall be a floodlight competition and ties shall be played on grounds with floodlights to a minimum of 110 lux factor.

1.         A date by which each Round is to be completed shall be set by Council and all ties shall be played on or before that date.

2.         Council shall give clubs not less than 14 days notice of a tie, together with the venue and kick off time.

E)        All ties shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game, as settled by the International Football Association Board.

F)        In both Cups, in all ties prior to the Semi Final tie, the first named club shall be designated as the home club.

G)        In both Cups all ties prior to the Semi Finals shall be of 90 minutes duration (45 minutes each way).  If the score is level at the end of normal time, extra time of 30 minutes (15 minutes each way) shall be played.  If the score is still level at the end of extra time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board’s recommended procedures.

H)        In the Senior Cup, all Semi Final ties shall be of 90 minutes duration (45 minutes each way) and shall be played on a home and away basis, subject to the exception contained in paragraph A1 of this Rule.  The Club with the highest aggregate of goals shall be declared the winner.  If the score is level at the end of normal time after the second leg, extra time of 30 minutes (15 minutes each way) shall be played.  If the score is still level at the end of extra time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with the International Board’s recommended procedures.

1.         The Junior Cup Semi Final tie shall be of 90 minutes duration (45 minutes each way).  If the score is level at the end of normal time, extra time of 30 minutes (15 minutes each way) shall be played.

2,         If  the score is still level at the end of extra time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with the International Board’s recommended procedures.

I)          All Finals shall be of 90 minutes duration (45 minutes each way).  If the score is level at the end of normal time, extra time of 30 minutes (15 minutes each way) shall be played.  If the score is still level at the end of extra time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with the International Board’s recommended procedures.

J)         The Fred Tew Cup (competed for by the Junior Cup losing semi-finalists) shall be of 90 minutes duration (45 minutes each way).  If the score is level at the end of normal time, the tie shall be decided by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, in accordance with the International Board’s recommended procedures.

K)        All Final ties shall be played in Buckingham or, if considered necessary, at alternative grounds as determined by the Council. The date and kick off time for each Final shall be decided by the Council.

L)         Referees shall order ties to commence at the appointed time and shall report all late starts to the Competition Match Secretary.  In the event of a late kick-off, the defaulting Club shall be fined Ten Pounds.

M)        The Home Club shall, not less than 5 days before the date agreed/fixed for a tie, notify the Visiting Club, the Referee and, where applicable, Assistant Referees, the location of its ground, dressing rooms, the kick off time and the colours of the shirts, shorts and socks that shall be used.

N)        Each Club shall play its best available qualified team in all ties in the Competition.

O)        In the event of a Club starting a tie with fewer than 11 players, the Club shall be fined One Pound for each missing player.  A minimum of 7 players shall constitute a team for a tie in this Competition.

P)        Failure to fulfil a fixture by/on the date set by the Competition shall render the defaulting Club liable to a fine not exceeding Fifty Pounds for a Senior Cup Club and to a fine not exceeding Twenty Five Pounds for a Junior Cup Cub and the tie may be awarded to its opponents.  The defaulting Club shall inform the Competition Match Secretary, in writing, within 5 days of the date of the fixture, the reason for the cancellation.  Failure to do so shall incur a fine of Ten Pounds.

Q)        Notice of postponement of any tie shall be given without delay by the postponing Club to the Competition Match Secretary, the Competition Referees Secretary, the Secretary of the Opposing Club and all Match Officials.

R)        In the event of a tie not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall normally be played in its entirety on or before a date set by Council.  However, Council shall review all abandoned ties and in cases where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand.  In all cases where Council is satisfied that a tie was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its club members, they shall be empowered to award the tie to their opponents and take what other action they may deem necessary.  In cases where a tie is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their club members, Council shall take such action as they consider appropriate.  Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.

S)        A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with The Laws of the Game, use up to three substitute players in any tie in this Competition, who may be selected from five players, provided they are nominated on the Team & Report form.

T)         Should any nominated player or substitute sustain an injury after the submission of the Team & Report form to the Referee and before the kick-off time, he may be replaced providing that the Referee is informed.

U)        A player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the tie, but does not actually play in it, shall not be considered to have been a player in that tie within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.

V)        Each Club shall be responsible for ensuring that a copy of the prescribed form containing the first forename and surname of each player taking part, including those of all nominated substitutes is given to the Referee and to a representative of the opposing Club in the presence of the Referee, not less than 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.  Any Club failing to do so shall be fined Ten Pounds.

W)       The half time interval shall be of 10 minutes duration, which may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.

11.  REPORTING RESULTS

A)        Home Clubs shall telephone the result to the Competition Match Secretary within 2 hours of the conclusion of the tie.  Failure to do so shall incur a fine of Five Pounds.

B)        Each Club shall send to the Competition Match Secretary, to be received by him within 7 days of the date of the tie (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays), the correctly completed Team & Report form, signed by a Club Official.  Failure to do so shall incur a fine of Ten Pounds.

C)        The submission of an incorrect or incomplete Team & Report form shall incur a fine of Twenty Pounds.

D)        The deliberate falsification of a Team & Report form shall incur a fine of Fifty Pounds and the club shall be removed from the Competition.

12.  DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP

            Both Senior and Junior Cups shall operate on a knock-out basis.

13.  MATCH OFFICIALS

A)        Match Officials shall be appointed by the Referees Secretary in a manner approved by Council and by the sanctioning Association.

B)        In Senior Cup ties, in the event of the non-appearance of, or incapacity sustained during the game by the Referee, the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a suitable substitute Assistant Referee shall be agreed upon by both sides.

C)        In Junior Cup ties (except Semi Final and Final ties), each Club shall provide a suitable Assistant Referee.  Any Club failing to do so shall be fined Five Pounds.  Nominated substitute players shall not act as Club Assistant Referees.  In the event of the appointed Referee not being present, both Clubs shall agree to a replacement Referee.

D)        In the Senior Cup Final, Junior Cup Semi Final and Final ties and the Fred Tew Cup game, in the event of the non-appearance of, or incapacity sustained during the game by the Referee, the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a suitable Assistant Referee shall be agreed upon by both teams.

E)        Only a qualified referee shall decide whether ground or weather conditions render a postponement necessary and in the event of a match being postponed or abandoned, the said Referee shall report the facts to the Competition Match Secretary without delay.

F)        Competition appointed Match Officials shall be entitled to the following all-inclusive Fee & Expenses:

            Senior Cup Referee:  £28    Assistant Referee:  £20

            Junior Cup Referee:  £20    Assistant Referee:  £15

G)        Home Clubs in the Senior Cup shall pay Match Officials their fees and expenses in their dressing room immediately after the conclusion of a tie.

H)        In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee plus out-of-pocket expenses, but where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall pay the Officials, if they reasonably attend at the ground, their full fee and expenses.

I)          The referee shall send to the Competition Match Secretary, to be received by him within 5 days of the date of the tie (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays), the Team & Report form, correctly completed and signed by him/her.

14.  WITHDRAWAL OF CLUB

A)        A Senior Cup Club withdrawing from the Competition after lodging the Entry & Agreement forms with the Secretary shall forfeit its entry fee and be liable to a fine not exceeding Fifty Pounds.

B)        A Junior Cup Club withdrawing from the Competition after lodging the Entry & Agreement forms with the Competition shall forfeit its entry fee and be liable to a fine not exceeding Twenty-Five Pounds.

15.  PROTESTS AND APPEALS

A)        All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of the Rules shall be referred to Council.

B)        Except in cases where Council decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which shall contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) shall be lodged, in writing, in triplicate, with the Competition Secretary within 7 days (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays) of the tie or occurrence to which they refer.  A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of Council.  A Member of Council who is a Member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his/her Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

C)        Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by Council whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.

D)        No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by Council unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Competition Secretary a sum of Ten Pounds.  This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case.  Council 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 inquiry or to order that the costs be shared by the parties.

16.  BOARD OF APPEAL

Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of Council, a Club against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Berks & Bucks Football Association Ltd, including a fee of Twenty-Five Pounds, 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.

17.  EXCLUSION OF CLUBS FOR MISCONDUCT

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 whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, upon a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.  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. 

18.  TROPHIES: LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER, AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, AWARDS

A)        A Competition Cup shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If the Competition be discontinued for any cause the Cup shall be returned to the donor if the conditions attached to it so provide, or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide.

B)        Clubs shall be responsible for the cost of the necessary engraving of all Cups.  A Club failing to engrave a cup shall incur a fine of Fifteen Pounds and shall also reimburse the Competition with the cost of the engraving.

C)        It shall be the responsibility of Clubs to provide adequate insurance cover over the period during which the cup is in their possession.

D)        Awards to winners and runners-up shall be in accordance with the Berks & Bucks Football Association Regulations 4/64.  Provided substitutes have been nominated on the official Team & Report form prior to the Final, they shall qualify for an award provided they are in attendance at the match.  The Competition shall not entertain requests for additional awards.

E)        An Agreement shall be signed on behalf of the Competition and the winners of the Cup and, where applicable, the recipients of a runners-up Cup.

F)        All Cups shall be returned to the Competition Secretary on or before the last day of February.  Failure to return a Cup by the due date shall incur a fine of Twenty-Five Pounds.

19.  SPECIAL  GENERAL MEETINGS

A)        Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in Membership, the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

B)        Council may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

C)        At least 14 days notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

D)        Attendees and voting rights at a Special General Meeting shall be as in paragraphs d), g), h) and i) of Rule 6.

E)        Any Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting shall be fined Twenty Pounds.

20.  ALTERATIONS TO RULES

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

B)        Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at an Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Competition Secretary by 1 April each year.  The proposals, together with any proposals by Council, shall be circulated to Clubs by 1 May and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Competition Secretary by 14 May.  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 two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

C)        A copy of the proposed alterations to be considered by the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.

D)        Any alterations or additions decided upon at any General Meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction has been obtained.

21.  RULES BINDING ON CLUBS

A)        Each Member Club shall be deemed to have given its assent to the foregoing Rules and agreed to abide by the decisions of Council, subject to Rule 16.

B)        Each Member Club shall abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.

22.  FINANCE

A)        Council shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.

B)        All expenditure shall be approved by Council.  Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by Council.

C)        The financial year of the Competition shall end on 31 May.

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

E)        The distribution of funds arising from this Competition shall be under the control of Council, subject to confirmation by the Annual General Meeting.  All funds shall be applied solely for charitable and philanthropic purposes.

F)        Except in Final ties, a Statement of Account (on the prescribed form), for each game played, signed by the Treasurer and Secretary of the Home Club, shall be received by the Match Secretary of the Competition within 14 days of the date of the tie, together with all monies due to the Competition.  Failure to comply by the due date shall incur a fine of Fifteen Pounds.

G)        In all ties the Competition shall take a minimum of 50% of the Gross Receipts.

1.         No deductions of any kind shall be made.

2.         Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined Fifteen Pounds and shall reimburse the Competition with the amount of the unauthorised deduction.

LEVEL OF FINES