Glendale League Rules

Club Obligations

• All teams must be affiliated to Northumberland Football Association.
• All players, team managers and spectators will be expected to adhere to the League Code of Conduct.
• All team managers must hold, or be in the process of obtaining, a current certificate from the Football Association Criminal Records Bureau unit which should be verified by the League Child Protection Officer.
• Every club expected to send one representative to Annual and Special General League meetings.
• Clubs must satisfy themselves that on entering a team into the League they have enough players to cope with absences, a sufficient number of managers, and adequate provision for transport.
• Clubs must fulfil fixture obligations on the date and time assigned for League matches and within the permitted time for cup games. Any team not able to fulfil a fixture will automatically forfeit the 3 points to the other team. Allowance will be made for players called to play schools football on a fixture day. In this event evidence of which players are involved must be supplied to the committee. Any other request to have a game postponed must be made in writing to the committee in advance of the fixture. A postponement will be granted only in exceptional circumstances
• Clubs will pay £1- per player per League fixture according to official team sizes. Funds will be used for the purchase of equipment and trophies, hire of facilities and other expenses directly related to the running of the League. There is no charge payable to the League for Cup fixtures.
• All teams who have first kick-off are obliged to set up one goal and help with pitch marking. Teams who have the last kick-off must return one goal to the container and ensure all other equipment is replaced in the storage box for their pitch and put in container.

Player Eligibility

1. The Under 8 League will be open to boys and girls who have attained their sixth birthday but who have not attained their eighth birthday before midnight on the 31st August of the year in which the season begins. In practice this would normally include children who are in school years 2 and 3.
2. The Under 10 League will be open to boys and girls who have attained their eighth birthday but who have not attained their tenth birthday before midnight on the 31st August of the year in which the season begins. In practice this would normally include children who are in school years 4 or 5.
3. The Under 12 League will be open to boys who have attained their tenth birthday but who have not attained their twelfth birthday before midnight on the 31st August of the year in which the season begins. In practice this would normally include boys who are in school Years 6 or 7.
   N.B. F.A. regulations do not permit mixed football in this age group.
4. The Under 14 League will be open to boys who have attained their twelfth birthday but who have not attained their fourteenth birthday before midnight on the 31st August of the year in which the season begins. In practice this would normally include boys who are in school years 8 or 9.
   N.B. F.A. regulations do not permit mixed football in this age group.
5. The Under 16 League will be open to boys who have attained their fourteenth birthday but who have not attained their sixteenth birthday before midnight on the 31st August of the year in which the season begins. In practice this would normally include boys who are in school years 10 or 11.
   N.B. F.A. regulations do not permit mixed football in this age group.
6. FA regulation forbid a junior player to play in an age division other than the one for which they are eligible. Liability insurance may be invalid if a player plays in a match where any other player is older or younger by more than 2 years.
7. Apart from under 8 squads all teams will submit a team registration form prior to the start of the season. This will list all players who are included in the squad and their dates of birth. Under 16 squads will also be required to provide evidence of dates of birth. New players must be registered in writing a minimum of 7 days in advance of that players first appearance. New signings made after February 28th will only be permitted at the discretion of the League committee. Under 8 squads are free to include new players of the correct age at any time during the season without notice.
8. Following every fixture both teams will fill in a joint team sheet listing all players used and leave it in a box provided at the venue. It will be the responsibility of the home team Listed first on the fixture list to provide and file the form. Teams who field unregistered players will be sanctioned by the committee, including the loss of points.
9. Clubs who enter two or more teams in the same division must ensure they do not mix squads.
10. If a player transfers to a different team during the season the League chairman must receive notice in writing from the club secretary of the team he/she is leaving indicating that permission has been granted. If the club have objections to the move, the player is not free to play for a new team until the matter has been dealt with by the League committee.

Results

• The ‘home’ team manager - listed first on the fixture list - is responsible for reporting league and cup results to the fixture secretary before 6pm on match days. Scores can be submitted by email to results@glendaleleague.co.uk, by text to 07966 722679 or by telephone to 01289 387363.
• Both team managers must complete a fair play form and put it in the box provided at the Youth Block before leaving the venue.
• Clubs will be fined £1- for each instance of failing to report results or fair play scores on time.
• League points will be awarded on the basis of 3 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and 1 point for a defeat. No points will be awarded to team team who fails to fulfil a fixture.
• A maximum goal difference of +/- 5 goals will apply to all League fixtures. League positions will be determined by :
  1. Points scored.
  2. Goal difference
  3. Results between the teams concerned.
• In the event of a tie for winner or runner-up a play-off will be arranged at the end of the season.
• No results or tables will be recorded for the Under 8 age division.

Competition Rules

1. No game will allowed to kick-off unless a responsible adult over the age of 18 is present to manage and take responsibility for the conduct of each team.
2. Team managers should check the playing area for hazards and confirm the security of goals prior to kick-off.
3. Each team is expected to supply a competent and suitable adult to referee one half of their game. Usually this will be the team manager or assistant. Referees should be familiar with "The Laws of The Game", the specific rules applicable to mini-soccer as well as local competition rules outlined below.
4. Under 8 games will be a maximum of six a’side, smaller games of 4v4 or 5v5 may be agreed in advance by team managers. Under 10, 12 and 14 games will be seven a’side and under 16 games will be 9 a’side. No additional players may be added to these team sizes.
5. Except for under 16’s, squads may consist of up to double the number of players in the team. Under 16 teams may have a maximum of 5 substitutes. Substitutes can interchange any number of times but must enter the field during a break in play with the referee's permission. It is expected that substitutes will be given a reasonable share of playing time.
6. Under 10 and under 12 games will consist of 20 minutes each half. Under 14 games will consist of 25 minutes each half and under 16s will play two periods of 40 minutes. In the under 8 division matches will consist of 4 periods of 10 minutes each.
7. A team who is unable to kick-off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time will forfeit the points. The game can go ahead as a friendly for the remaining time available. Regardless of the time a fixture starts it must be off the pitch in time for the following fixture to start promptly.
8. Games will be conducted under F.A. mini-soccer rules except where these are amended by local competition rules as outlined below.
9. The under 8,10 and 12 age divisions will use a size 4 football, under 14s and 16s will use size 5.
10. Goal keepers in open play can handle the ball in their areas which will extend across the full width of the pitch out to the first marker on the touchline.
11. Other than in the under 8 division goal kicks to be taken as normal. The kick may be taken by a player other than the keeper. Referees will be flexible in assisting under 8 keepers to get the ball into play.
12. Other than a goal kick, goal keepers in the under 10 league are allowed to kick the ball out of hands. Keepers in the under 12,14 and 16 leagues must release the ball from their hands or kick the ball from the ground. The ball must not be bouncing when kicked.
13. Goal keepers can handle a pass-back in the under 8 and 10 league only. A free kick from the edge of the goal area will be awarded if a keeper in the under 12 or 14 leagues handles a pass-back.
14. Goal keepers are allowed outside of their areas, but a free kick will be awarded if they handle outside their area.
15. There is free access to the penalty areas in open play.
16. At kick-off, goal kicks, corner kicks and free kicks defending players must retreat at least 5 yards.
17. All free kicks are direct.
18. Corners and throw-ins are taken as normal.
    Note to refs. Within reason all players are expected to take throw-ins properly. Under 8, 10 and under 12 players should be allowed to retake foul throws. Throw-ins should be awarded to the other team in the event of foul throws in an under 14 or 16 fixture.
19. Penalty kicks are taken from a point 8 yards from the centre of goal.
20. There is no offside law in mini-soccer or small-sided football in any age division.
21. Shinguards must be worn.

Discipline

• In the event of serious misconduct such as persistent dissent, foul and abusive language or violent conduct the referee should ask the player's team manager to withdraw the player from the game.
  
  
• The offender may play no further part in that game but a substitute may be sent on if available.
  
  
• Following the game, the referee should file a report with the League secretary without delay. In the event of any repetition of misconduct, the players actions will be dealt with by a League disciplinary committee and will be subject to such sanctions as are judged appropriate.
  
  
• Team managers are expected to give their cooperation to referees in such instances and to deal with their own players as outlined above when they are acting as referee.