THE LEEDS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

3. The area of the Association shall be as defined by the West Riding County Football Association. Subject to the approval of the Council, all Clubs having their grounds, headquarters within the area shall be eligible for membership.

4. Affiliation Fees shall be payable annually direct to the West Riding County Football Association before the 31st May. An additional fee of £25.00 will be charged for late affiliation. The fees shall be as laid down in the West Riding County F.A. handbook. The Association shall have power to suspend Clubs for the failure to pay affiliation fees.

5. The Association shall be governed by a Council consisting of a President, Chairman, Life Members, and not more than eight Vice- residents, who shall each have served five years, consecutively on the Council. An Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and such other sectional honorary officials as the Council may from time to time appoint, representatives, as hereinafter provided, of Leagues not less than three of whose Clubs are situated in the Association's area and members whom the Council may co-opt from bodies having similar objects to that of the Association. The President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and such other sectional honorary officials as the Council may have appointed shall be elected annually by the Council at its meeting. Nominations for Officials of the Association and the Association's representatives to other Organisations shall be made in writing to reach the Secretary of the Association by 31st March, and must be proposed and seconded by two members of Council together with the written consent of the nominee. A member may be proposed for life membership for outstanding/distinguished service, or after 20 years active service on the Council of the Association. A person nominated for life membership must obtain a minimum of two-thirds of the votes cast to be elected. Each League shall appoint its representatives annually from members of its Council, not later than 30th June. The League representation shall be at the rate of one member for the first 12 Clubs, or part thereof (minimum of three), in membership with the League and affiliated in accordance with Rule 3 of the Association, and one further representative for each additional 12 Clubs, or greater part thereof. (Representation to be calculated on the number of Clubs having paid affiliation fees for the previous season)

COMMITTEES - Each Committee shall appoint a Chairman who shall be elected by ballot annually. No Chairman shall hold Office for more than three consecutive years unless reelected by a two-thirds majority of those present A League shall have the power to replace elected delegate(s). The Council shall have power to fill any vacancy, which may arise among the Officials of the Association and to elect Sub- Committees, and shall determine the scope of their activities. Sub- ommittees shall be composed only of members explicitly elected to them by the Council. In the event of any Member of the Council, other than life members, being absent from three consecutive Council Meetings without satisfactory explanation to the Council, their seat will become vacant. With the exception of vacancies arising from the resignation or disqualification of representatives from Leagues, the Council shall have the power to appoint a qualified representative to fill the vacancy. Vacancies arising among League representatives shall be filled by the League affected. Apologies for non-attendance at Meetings of the Association can only be recorded providing that an Official of the Association receives them, either in writing or verbally, before the meeting concerned.

EQUITY - Equality at the Leeds & District Football Association means that in all our activities we will not discriminate, or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, age, ability or disability. It means that we will ensure that we treat people fairly and with respect and that we will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, our activities. Furthermore, it means that we will not sanction any action, or lack of action, which might disadvantage a member compared to other people for any reason related to the list above.

6. The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 16th July. Each club having paid its affiliation fee for the season, or for the next season and each affiliated League shall be entitled to be represented by one member. By resolution of the Council, or at the request (in writing) of one-quarter of the Clubs in membership with the Association, an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called at ten day's notice. The notice convening the meeting shall set forth the objects of the meeting and no Extraordinary General Meeting shall enter upon any business not set forth in the notice upon which it shall have been convened. Clubs having paid their affiliation fees for the current season, and affiliated Leagues, shall be entitled to be represented at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Members of the Council shall be entitled to vote at all General Meetings. No person shall represent more than one Club at any General Meeting.

7. No Club or player shall take part during the close season in a football contest other than practise matches between affiliated Clubs. Gate money or collections shall not be taken at such practise matches without the consent of the Association. Where consent is obtained, the receipts shall be distributed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Football Association. No player or Club shall play with or against any Club, or in any competition, not affiliated to this or another recognised Association. Without the previous consent of the Association, Clubs and players shall not compete for any prize offered by a private individual or individuals, unless the net proceeds are devoted to an affiliated Football Club or Clubs, or to registered charities.

8. No member of the Council concerned in a complaint or in any dispute shall sit on the Council while the complaint or dispute is being discussed.

9. Clubs are responsible to the Council for the action of their players, officials and spectators, and they are required to take precautions to prevent spectators threatening or assaulting players or officials before, during, or at the conclusion of matches.

10.The Council shall have the power to call upon any Associations, Clubs, or players to produce any books, letters, or documents, and other evidence the Council may desire.

11. The Council or any Committee appointed by the Council to investigate and decide upon any matter. Shall have the power to expel, suspend, fine, or otherwise punish any Club, its members, officials and players, or any member of the Council found to have been guilty of a breach of rule of this or any affiliated Association or of the Football Association - but not of the Laws of the Game.

12.The Council shall have first claim for its official matches on the service of any player or official of any Club affiliated to the Association.

13.Each Club affiliated to the Association except those competing in the County Senior Cup Competition, shall, if called upon, place its players and ground at the disposal of the Council for at least one match each season. Twenty five per cent of the receipts with a minimum of £80.00 shall be paid for use of ground.

14.Claims allowed by a Commission shall be paid to the Secretary of the West Riding Football Association within seven days of the date allowed, and, in default, the Club or the person against whom the claim is allowed shall be suspended until the claim is paid. Where a claim is allowed against a Club, individual players and officials may be reinstated on payment of one-eleventh of the claim.

15.Fines imposed by the Association shall be paid within fourteen days of receipt of notification. Any Club failing to do so shall have the fine doubled, and be charged an administration fee of £25. All other charges imposed by the Association shall be paid by the club or individual no later than the date stipulated for payment. A club or individual failing to pay as instructed shall be charged an administration fee of £25. The Club shall also be suspended and or expelled from all competitions governed by the Association, its committee members and players shall be referred to the West Riding County Football Association.

16.Appeals against decisions of the Association shall be made to the Secretary of the West Riding County Football Association in accordance with the rules of the County Association. Such appeals shall be considered by an appeals board consisting of three members of the West Riding County Football Association appointed by that Association. The decision of the Appeals Board shall be that of the County Association.

17.Clubs shall not be compelled to play in a League within the area of the Association, but each affiliated Club shall compete for one of the District Association Cups, unless otherwise exempted.

18.Any alteration of a Club Secretary or alteration of address of a Club Secretary must be notified to the Secretary of the Association within seven days of such alteration-taking place. A fine of £10.00 will be imposed for breach of this Rule. Where a Club changes Secretary without showing justifiable cause the Council may impose an administration charge of £5.00 against the Club.

19.The Bank Accounts of the Association shall be lodged in the names of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. All accounts shall be submitted to the Finance Committee for confirmation. The Council shall have power to invest surplus funds. A Professional Auditor shall be appointed annually by the Council, and shall audit the accounts. An audited Balance Sheet shall be sent to each Club at least seven days before the Annual Meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall for all intents and purposes be their legal owners, as may be acquired from time to time, shall hold all trophies of the Association, and such other effects in trust.

20.No rule shall be altered except at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting by special resolution supported by two- hirds of the members voting. Affiliated Clubs and Leagues may propose alterations to rules. Notice of such proposals shall be forwarded, in writing, to the Secretary of the Association not later than 31st January. A copy of alterations to rules proposed by Clubs, Leagues, or the Council of the Association shall be forwarded to Leagues and Council members before 31st March and to Clubs not less than seven days before the Annual General Meeting.

22.In matters not provided for in these rules, the Association shall be governed and guider by the rules of the West Riding County Football Association and of the Football Association.