JUNIOR LEAGUE

  
 

NEWS
 
         
 

RULES
 
1.   NOMENCLATURE & CONSTITUTION (A). This Competition shall be designated “The Leeds & District Football Association Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League” and shall consist of no more than 50 clubs who shall be full member clubs. All 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 parent County Football Association. The area covered by the competition membership shall be the Leeds and District Football Association and such other Clubs as the Management Committee may approve. The Competition is sanctioned annually by the Leeds & District Football Association
affiliation fee to the West Riding County Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions of age, each division not exceeding fourteen teams in number. The Competition will provide 11-a-side football for players who have attained the age of 15, 16, 17 and 18 as at midnight 31st August in a
playing season.
 
2. 2. ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT (A). Application by clubs for admission to the League or the entry of any additional team(s) shall be made in writing on the prescribed application form to the League Secretary, and must be accompanied by the entry fee of £35 per team, which shall be returned in the
event of non-election.  At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting member’s present, applications of which due notice has been given may be received at the annual all clubs meeting or a special general meeting. The entry fee shall apply.
(B). A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Entry Fee has been paid.
(C). Clubs must advise annually to the League Secretary in writing on the prescribed application form, of its West Riding County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming season. Clubs must advise in writing on the prescribed application form the details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the League.
 
3. OFFICIALS  (A). The officers shall be the Officials of the Leeds and District Football Association, the Chairman of the Youth Committee and the registration secretary, who shall be elected annually. The Leeds & District Football Association Youth Secretary shall be the League Secretary.
 
4. MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

(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 Youth Committee of the Leeds & District Football Association who shall be elected annually. All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The Association from time to time.
(B). Officers shall be nominated and elected to the Leeds & District Football Association.
(C). The Management Committee shall meet as often as it is necessary to deal with business as it arises.
(D). Except where otherwise mentioned all communications for the league shall be addressed to the League Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the competition and keep a record of all its proceedings.
(E.) All written communications received from clubs must be conducted through the Club Secretary or their named nominated Officer and be duly signed. All email to the League must be copied to the following Officers: (League Secretary, Registration Secretary, and the Leeds FA General Secretary).
 
5. POWERS OF MANAGEMENT (A) The Management Committee can appoint sub committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the competition and not for any matters of misconduct within the Laws of the Game that are under the jurisdiction of the Parent County FA.
(B) Subject to the permission of the Parent County F.A. 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 League. The Management Committee may call upon each Club (including any Club who 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 6d)
(C). Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all management 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. (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 League and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the League including any not provided for in the Rules, except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty. Any Club, Club Official, (limited to Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) or player alleged to be in breach of a League Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before a Management Disciplinary Committee. Financial penalties can only be imposed if included within the set penalties for breaches of competition rules. 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.
(E). All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within seven days.
(F). Five members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and Four members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub committee.
(G) The Leeds FA Council as it may deem necessary shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst the number of the Management Committee.
(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 correspondence of the League shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
(I). All fines and charges shall be paid within fourteen days of the date of posting of the written notification. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this rule will be referred to the Management Committee.
(J). The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the League following the Annual All Clubs Meeting or a Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the competition season.
(K). No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.
 
6. ALL CLUBS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (A) The annual All Clubs Meeting shall be held not later than 31st August in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided two thirds of Members are present and entitled to vote:
(a) Constitution of the League for the ensuing season.
(b) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of the playing season.
(c) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and as being relevant to an Annual All Clubs Meeting.
(B). The agenda and date of the All Clubs Meeting shall be forwarded on to each Club not less than fourteen days prior to the meeting.
(C). Each Team in membership shall be empowered to send two delegates to an All Clubs Meeting. Each Club will be entitled to one vote only.
(D). Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the League during the season being concluded or who are not continuing in membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply
to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.
(E). All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least one member of the Delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(F). No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Member Club.
(G). Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at an All Clubs Meeting shall be fined £10.
(H). At the annual all clubs meeting Co-opted members to the Leeds FA Youth Committee shall be elected from the floor, subject to approval by the Council of the Association. One Co-opted member shall be elected from each of the four age groups (U15, U16, U17
and U18) comprising the LHF Junior League. All clubs within each age group playing football in the LHF Junior League shall vote on those nominees wishing to be a co-opted member. (one vote per Club). Once elected, the nominees will be confirmed in writing by the General Secretary of the Leeds and District FA prior to the first Youth Committee meeting. All elected nominees will serve for one season. If any nominees withdraw from the post after the annual all clubs meeting then those posts will remain vacant until the start of the next season.
 
7. AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED  (A). 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, the Secretary ............................. Chairman .............................. of the .............................. Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League Competition, do hereby agree for and on behalf
of the said Club to, if elected or accepted into membership, conform to the Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the said Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16. Any alteration of the Secretary on the above agreement must be notified to the parent County F.A, the District Association the club is affiliated to, and to the League Secretary within seven days of such change.
 
8. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS  (A). Contract Players as defined in Football Association Rules are not permitted in this Competition. No player registered with an F.A. 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 Programme for
Excellence.
(B). A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has signed a fully and correctly completed Registration Form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Registration Secretary and
whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing.  A signed official Identity Card, which has attached a recent identical passport photograph of the player along with proof of date of birth, has been submitted to the Registration Secretary checked, laminated, and received by the Club to be used as the player I.D. card. A second recent identical passport photograph has been submitted for the League records. Players may only register who are under 15, 16, and 17 and 18 years of age on the 31st August in the year in which the season commences. Each team
shall be allowed to register a maximum of 20 players during each season and must have a minimum of 14 players registered at any one time. To cancel a player registration, the Club must forward on to the Registration Secretary the counterfoil of the Registration Form and the identity Card of the player to be cancelled.
(C). The qualification dates are for the year in which the season commences.
U15- the player must be under the age of 15 as at midnight 31st Aug
U16- the player must be under the age of16 as at midnight 31st Aug
U17- the player must be under the age of 17 as at midnight 31st Aug
U18- the player must be under the age of 18 as at midnight 31st Aug
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 two years or more.
(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 League 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. 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). Registration forms shall be obtained from the Registration Secretary. Twenty Registration Forms shall be provided free of charge. Additional Registration Forms shall be obtained from the Registration Secretary charged at the rate of £1 each.
(F). The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
(G). It shall be deemed misconduct for a player to:
(i) play for more than one Club in the Leeds and District Football Association Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League in the same season without first being transferred.
(ii) having signed for one club, sign for another Club in the Leeds and District Football Association Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League 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 power to accept the registration of any player.
(ii) The management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of a player who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities.
(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) having right of appeal to the Parent County FA.  Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct which may deter a participant from being involved in this League competition.
(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 League competition into disrepute, and will in any case be subject
to an appeal to the Football Association.) For the purpose of this Rule bringing the League 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.
(I). Subject to the Football Association Rules 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 Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00. Such transfer
shall be referred by the Registration Secretary to the Club for which the player is registered. Should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objection in writing to the Registration Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form. Upon receipt of the Clubs consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days the Registration Secretary may on behalf of the management committee transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club after the Registration Secretary has re-issued the amended Identity Card and counterfoil to the new Club, only on receipt of the above granted. In the event of an objection to a transfer, the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.  Transfer forms shall be obtainable from the League Registration Secretary.
(J). No Player shall be registered for a Club or transferred to another Club after 1st March of each year, 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.
(L). A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club with the date of registration shall be kept by the Registration Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative and at all Management Committee meetings or other times mutually arranged. 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 Registration Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration. The Management Committee shall decide all Registration disputes.
In the event of a player without a written contract changing his status to that of a contract player with the same Club, another Club in the competition or with a Club in another competition, his Registration as a player without a written contract will automatically be cancelled and declared void. In order to play in the League again for his original Club or for another Club it will be necessary for him to be re- registered as required by this Rule (M). A player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship deciding match (as specified in Rule 12(A) unless the player has played at least three League games for that team in this Competition in the current season.
(N). Failure to present the Identity Card for each player including substitutes before the game commences to a responsible Official of the opposing team, will render such a player or players ineligible to play. A team in default may be fined up to and not exceeding £50.00
(O). (i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players 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 have three points deducted from its total at the discretion of the Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought 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
(P). Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. For players under the age of 18 the provisions contained in the Football Association Rules will apply.
(O). Children under 15 shall not play in a team involving players who are more than two years older.
 
9. CLUB COLOURS CLUB NAME (A). Every Club must register the colour of its shirts, shorts and stockings with the League Secretary by 31st July who shall decide as to their suitability. Goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from other players and the Referee. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. All shirts (except the goalkeeper) must be squad numbered, the minimum height of each number being 19 cm. 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 three days before the match. If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away 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 £10. The League Secretary 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.
(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and the Management Committee.
 
10. PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES (A). The Annual All Clubs 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. Original fixtures arranged by the League Secretary or at a meeting specially convened for that purpose to be held no later than 31st August must not be arranged for a date later than seven days preceding the concluding date determined by the Annual All Clubs Meeting. All member teams of the League shall enter their age group League Competition and their age group League Cup Competition(s). The fixtures of each club shall be arranged under the direction of the League Secretary and all matches shall be played as set down unless the League Secretary has agreed to or arranged alteration. Clubs may mutually agree to change the date and or time of kick off with the consent of the League Secretary, and Clubs must inform the Referee Appointments Secretary if the fixture is changed.
(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board. No game may be cancelled on the grounds of the pitch being unfit for play unless the Referee appointed for the match has declared the pitch unfit. 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 25 minutes each half) is mutually arranged by the two Captains in consultation with the Referee before the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. The duration of play shall be as follows unless it is mutually agreed by all parties to reduce the time. For u15 and u16, 40 minutes each half. For u17 and u18, 45 minutes each half.
The time of KO shall be fixed by the AGM or the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum not exceeding £10 for (15min) or part thereof and an additional £5 for any additional 5 minutes or part thereof.  No player under the age of 17 as of midnight on 31st August in any season shall be permitted to play more than one game per day in this Competition. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts in the Competition. The Home Club must provide at least two footballs fit for play, and the Referee shall notify the Captain if he intends to report the football(s) as being unsuitable. The Home Club shall arrange for the ground to be properly marked out and shall provide goal nets and corner flags. Any team in default shall be fined £10 in each instance.
(C). Except by permission of the League Secretary all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to the Football Association and all relevant County and District Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary.
(D). The Secretary of the Home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of an access to the ground and time of kick- ff to the Match Officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least three clear days prior to the playing of the match. The Away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars. In the event of such advice not being received by the Secretary of the visiting team, the team shall contact the League Secretary and attempt to fulfil the fixture. Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £10.
(E). Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition. In the event of a club playing in any match with less than nine players they may be fined £5 for each missing player. A minimum of nine players will constitute a team for a League match.
(F). Home and away matches shall be played. However, in special circumstances the Management Committee may organise a different type of Competition. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have the power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. In the event of Clubs being expelled or withdrawn from the League during the season, their results shall be expunged from the records. Teams not on the ground within (30) minutes of the time fixed for starting shall be in breach of its engagement unless they submit in writing a satisfactory explanation to the League Secretary within three days after the date fixed for the match (excluding Sundays). Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture must without delay give notice to the League Secretary and the Referee Appointments Secretary. The Secretary of the apposing club,, and the Match Officials appointed. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may inflict any penalty it may deem suitable. 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 at a date to be fixed by the League Secretary. The Management Committee shall have power to deal with any unfinished match as they deem fit, according to the circumstances. 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 an opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. The management Committee shall review all abandoned matches 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 and 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. A game may be postponed owing to the unavailability of players due to school activities, Club tours, etc. Teams who require a closed date shall apply in writing to the League Secretary at least 28 days before the date requested for cancellation. Only two applications per team per season will be considered.
(G). A Club may at Under 17 and Under 18 age groups at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use up to 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who shall be selected from the 5 substitute players nominated to the Referee prior to the commencement of the game. A Club at Under 15 and Under 16 age group, may, at its discretion, use the roll-on, roll-off substitution where 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 10 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 the Competition.
(H). The half time interval shall be of ten minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.
 
11. REPORTING RESULTS  (A). The League Secretary must receive within three days of the date played the Result Card for each match in the prescribed manner. An official Result Card shall be completed in ink by each team before the commencement of the match with the forename and surname of each player including substitutes and the Referee appointed (in block letters). The Referee markings required by Rule 13 shall be entered, failure to comply with this Rule will incur a fine of £10 and or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.
(B). Both Clubs shall telephone the result of each match to the League Secretary within three hours of the conclusion of the match, any team in default shall be fined £10.
(C). A responsible member of the Club shall sign the match Result Card correctly completed. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action, as they deem suitable, against a Club, which submits an incomplete or incorrect Result Card or incorrect information.
 
12. DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP  (A). Team ranking will be decided on points with three (3) points to be awarded for a win and one (1) point 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 the event of two or more teams being equal on points, goal difference will be used, and if the goal difference is also equal then a special one off Championship deciding match will take place on a neutral ground. Championship deciding matches – In the event of the scores in a special championship match played under conditions determined by the Management Committee being level at the end of the game, 20 minutes extra time shall be played in two equal periods of 10 minutes. If the score is level after extra time, the winners will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the International Board Decision contained in the Laws of Association Football.
 
13. REFEREES  (A). Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the parent County Football Association.
(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. The Referee thus agreed upon shall for that game have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee.
(C). The Management Committee may if they consider it desirable upon application to the West Riding Football Association, appoint Assistant Referees if available to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £10 being imposed on the defaulting team.
(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.
(E). Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to charge standard public transport expenses or private car expenses of 25p per mile by the shortest route together with the following match fees: Referee £16, Registered Referees appointed by the Management Committee as Assistant Referees £7. Subject to any limits laid down by the West Riding County F.A. Where Assistant Referees are appointed their fee and expenses shall be shared equally by both clubs. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fee and expenses immediately after the match in the Referee’s changing room.
(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 half fee plus 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 engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance may be reported to the Association with which he is registered.
(H). Each team 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 League on the Result Card provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined £10 or dealt with, as the Management Committee shall determine.
(I). The Competition shall keep a record of all referee markings during each season. Referees shall be supplied each season with a copy ofthe competition rules free of charge.
 
14. CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB  (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 League must notify the League Secretary in writing by the 30th April each season or be liable to a fine not exceeding £50.
(B). A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the League after the Annual All Clubs Meeting for the following season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £50 per team and shall 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 the Annual All Clubs Meeting, the competition shall have the right irrespective of all 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 League. In the event that any such obligation remains un-discharged after 21 days then such obligations shall be met by the then Club members excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until member/s pro rata obligation is discharged in full, the member shall not be allowed to participate in the Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League which may apply to the Clubs parent County Association for a suspension order.
 
15. PROTESTS AND APPEALS  (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 Youth 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 decided that there are special circumstances, protest and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the League Secretary by recorded delivery within three days (excluding Sundays) of the date 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 their Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
(C). Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the League 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 League Secretary a sum of £20. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Management Committee shall have the 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 be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received in writing seven days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. 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.
 
16. BOARD OF APPEAL  (A). Within fourteen days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the management Committee of the Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League, a Club, Official or Player, against whom action is being taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars with the Secretary of the Parent County Football Association. The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with the Rules of appeal of the Parent County Football Association. 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. No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the grounds of unconstitutional conduct.
 
17. EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAMS / MISCONDUCT CLUB OFFICIALS, PLAYERS (A). At the Annual All Clubs Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose in accordance with the provision 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  of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
(B). At the Annual All Clubs Meeting or 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 League any Club or team of a Club whose conduct has in their opinion been undesirable which must be supported by more than two thirds 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 provision of clause (A) and (B) of this Rule.
 
18. TROPHY AWARDS: LEGAL OWNERS CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED:  (A). A Competition Cup or Trophy shall be vested in the Association sanctioning the Competition as Trustees. If a Competition were discontinued for any cause the Cup or Trophy shall be returned to the donor, if the conditions attached to it so provide or otherwise dealt with as the Association may decide. At the close of the Competition, awards shall be made to the winners and runners up.
The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of a Cup or Trophy: We .................................... and ..................................... The Chairman and Secretary of ....................................... AFC members of and representing the Club having been declared the winners of .......................................... Cup/Trophy. In addition, it having been delivered to us by the Competition does hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agrees to return the Cup/Trophy to the League Secretary on or before the first Thursday of February next or in default shall be fined £25. If the Cup/Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to refund to the League the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.
 
19. SPECIAL ALL CLUBS MEETING  (A). Upon receiving a requisition signed by two thirds of the Clubs in membership the League Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting. The Management Committee may call a Special Meeting at any time. At least seven days notice shall be given together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such a meeting. Each full Member Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special All Clubs Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10. All amendment of Rules can only be implemented once approved by the appropriate sanctioning authority.
 
20. ALTERATION TO RULES  (A). Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General All Clubs Meeting of the Leeds and District Football Association Leeds Hospital Fund League. Or a Special League General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alteration made during the playing season to the Rules 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 All Clubs Meeting shall be submitted to the League Secretary not later than 31st January in each year. A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the Annual General All Clubs Meeting or Special General Meeting shall be submitted to the sanctioning Football Association fourteen days prior to the date of the meeting. Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Association issuing sanction shall have been obtained. Mandatory inclusion of the Football Association Standard Code of Rules for Youth Competitions shall apply.
 
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 the management Committee subject to Rule 16. Each Member Club must abide by any issued Football Association Code of Conduct.
 
22. FINANCE  (A). The Leeds and District Football Association Finance Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.
(B). The Leeds and District Football Association Finance Committee shall approve all expenditure.
(C). The financial year-end shall be as of the Leeds and District Football Association financial year-end. 31st December.
(D). A certified balance sheet shall be prepared and shall be verified annually by the Auditor appointed by the Leeds & District FA
 

LEEDS HOSPITAL FUND JUNIOR LEAGUE CUP RULES
 
  NAME  1.The Competition shall be called "The Leeds & District Football Association Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League Cup Competition".
 
CLUBS TO COMPETE 2.The Cup Competitions shall be competed for by League member teams. The following Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League Rules will apply together with the Sunday Junior, Gerry Pawson Trophy, Minor Cup and the Black Prince Trophy Competition Rule 13
  The following Leeds Hospital Fund Junior Football League Rules will apply: Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 together with the Sunday Junior, Minor Cup and the Black Prince Trophy Competition Rule 13. 
 
FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL JUNIOR CLUB SECRETARIES AND MANAGERS
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE of the LEEDS HOSPITAL FUND JUNIOR LEAGUE
The Leeds & District Football Association has provided organised youth football in and around the city of Leeds since 1937. Many of its former players have gone on to play at the highest level. One such player was Brian Deane, who played for Seacroft WMC Colts, Leeds United and he was also capped by England. Many others have gone on to play at semi-professional level, others have gained much sought after representative honours at both District FA and County FA levels.
The League is well organised, its games are played to a high standard and are always fair and yet competitive, all games where possible are staffed by a qualified referee. The League has an excellent reputation for preparing boys for the challenges of open age football and it is very pleasing to note that the majority of players, when they move on to open age football, continue to play the game, such was the good preparation they received in the Leeds Hospital Fund Junior League.
The League this season has member teams mostly based in the Leeds area, however, we are delighted that teams from other District Associations have membership of the League.
The League has for several years received generous financial support from the Leeds Hospital Fund, who not only sponsor the League but also sponsor the Leeds FA, Black Prince Trophy for Under 15s, the Minor Cup for Under 16s, the Gerry Pawson Trophy for Under 17s and the Sunday Junior Cup for Under 18s.
The format of the Leagues Competition is: League Divisions for Under 15s, Under 16s, Under 17s and Under 18s, each Division also has its own Cup Competition and all Leeds FA affiliated clubs play in the appropriate Leeds FA District Cup Competition for their age group, as detailed above.
For all the results, league tables and other news from the League log onto the Leeds FA website at www.leedsfa.co.uk
Finally, I record once again our grateful thanks to the Leeds Hospital Fund without whose generous support we would not be able to continue to provide the magnificent Divisional League and Cup Trophies for annual competition that our member clubs, players and officials receive and treasure.
J. Stott J.P.
 
Safeguarding Children – The Leeds & District Football Association
acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children – Policy and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document. Leeds FA Junior League and Minor FA Welfare Officer Jackie Batley Respect Respect is The FA’s programme to address unacceptable behaviour in football – on and off the pitch. On average, 7,000 referees quit football every year because of the abuse they receive from players and from the sidelines. Lots of children also pack it in because of the attitude and actions of over-enthusiastic and pushy parents. In response the FA’s Respect programme provides a series of tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, Referees, players and parents from grassroots to elite football to ensure a safe, positive environment in which to enjoy the game.