The Oving Village Cup was formed by subscribes of the villages within a 12 miles of Oving in the year 1889, Mr James Evans of Oving being the Chief Organiser and acting Hon. Secretary. The first president was the Late Rev. I Hill, the Rector of Oving.

Season 2022-23

First Round draw

Stewkley HW v HW  Stone Utd

Quarter Final draw 

Stewkley 5 v  2 Oving

Long Crendon v HW FC Bierton

Wingrave 4-3 Aston Clinton Res

Marsh Gibbon 3 v 2 Wendover

Semi Final draw 

Stewkley 0 v 4 Marsh Gibbon

Long Crendon 1 v 2 Wingrave.

Final

Marsh Gibbon 0-1 Wingrave

————————————-

Season 2021-22 

First Round draw

Oving 0 v 8 Wingrave

Marsh Gibbon 0 v 7 Wendover

Stewkley 5 v Long 2 Crendon

Stoke Mandeville v BYE

Semi Final draw 

Wendover 2 Vs 1 Stewkley

Wingrave.2 Vs 1 Stoke Mandeville

Final 

Wingrave  0 v 4 Wendover

Season 2019-20

First round

Sept 14^th  Gt Horwood  4 – 1  Wing

Oct 12^th  Stewkley  3 – 0  Wendover

Oct 19^th  Steeple Claydon  1 – 6  Wingrave

Nov 30^th  Long Crendon 10 – 0 Oving

FIRST ROUND BYES: Long Marston, Quainton, Twyford  & Marsh Gibbon.

Quarter Finals

Jan 4^th Stewkley 2 v 3 Marsh Gibbon

Jan 4^th Gt Horwood 5 v 0 Wingrave

Feb 22nd  Long Marston 2 v 5 Long Crendon

Jan 25^th   Quainton 0 v 4 Twyford

Semi Finals

TBC Marsh Gibbon Vs  Long Crendon

29th Feb Gt Horwood 5 v 2 Twyford

Recent Winners this Century

1999-00	Wing Village	V	Long Crendon	2-1
2000-01	Wing Village	V	Haddenham	2-1
2001-02	Long Crendon	V	Steeple Claydon	2-1
2002-03	Stewkley	V	Bierton	4-2 (Replay)
2003-04	Steeple Claydon	V	Wing	2-1
2004-05	Steeple Claydon	V	Long Crendon	4-0
2005-06	Long Marston	V	Steeple Claydon	4-1
2006-07	Steeple Claydon	V	Aston Park	8-1
2007-08	Steeple Claydon	V	Long Marston	6-0
2008-09	Wingrave	V	Steeple Claydon	2-1
2009-10	Steeple Claydon	V	Grendon Rangers	4-0
2010-11	Grendon Rangers	V	Stewkley	1-0
2011-12	Grendon Rangers	V	Haddenham	5-4
2012-13	Stewkley	V	Wingrave	4-2
2013-14	Oakley	V	Haddenham	3-0
2014-15	Oakley	V	Stewkley	2-0
2015-16	Long Marston	V	Oving	5-0
2016-17	Wendover	V	Wingrave	3-1
2017-18	Great Horwood	V	Long Crendon	1-0

OFFICERS

President: TOM MUNT

Vice-Presidents:

P GOSS, MRS CULLEN, F KIRBY, J STYLES, M CURTIS, A SKEGGS

Chairman:

JIM STYLES 01296 – 655457

Vice-Chairman:

KEVIN SAW 01296 – 640079

Hon. Secretary:

KEVIN SAW 01296 – 640079

Hon. Treasurer:

TOM MUNT 01296 – 290014

Hon. Referees’ Secretary:

KEVIN SAW 07884 105261

Welfare Officer

PETER RICE 01296 630898

Committee:

RICHARD PARROTT, COLIN PARROTT, ROGER SMALL,

PHIL GINGER, ‘H’ BONE , BEN PORTER

INDEX

1. Definitions 3

2. Nomenclature and Constitution 4

3. Entry Fee 5

4. Management, Nomination, Election 5

5. Powers of the Management Committee 5

6. Annual General Meeting 6

7. Agreement to be Signed 7

8. Qualification of Players 8

9. Club Colours, Club Name 10

10. Playing Season, Conditions of Play, Times of Kick-Off, Postponements, Substitutes 10

11. Reporting Results 13

12. Determining Champions 13

13. Referees 14

14. Continuation of Membership or Withdrawal of a Club 15

15. Protests and Complaints 15

16. Board of Appeal 16

17. Exclusion of Clubs or Teams, Misconduct, Clubs, Officials, Players 16

18. Trophy Agreements, Awards 16

19. Special General Meetings 17

20. Alteration to Rules 17

21. Finance 18

22. Printing of Rules 18

23. Insurance 18

24. Dissolution 18

Table of Fees and Fines 19

Child Protection 20

DEFINITIONS

1. (a) In these Rules:

“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an affiliated Association under the Rules of The FA.

“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

“Club” means a Club for the time being in membership of the Competition and “Team” means a side from a Club especially where a Club provides more than one (1) Team in a division in accordance with the Rules.

“Competition” means the Oving & District Villages’ Cup Competition.

“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.

“Hon. Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.

“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules.

“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules.

“Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s team(s) plays its Competition Matches.

“Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.

“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.

“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition, which requires that individual to make day-to-day decisions.

“Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other Player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning Authority” means [The FA] [the Competition][the Berks and Bucks County Football Association Limited].

“Scholarship” means a Scholarship as set out in Rule C 3 (a) (i) of the Rules of The FA.

“Team Sheet” means a form provided by the Competition on which the names of the Players taking part in a Competition match are listed.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“WGS” means the Whole Game System and the procedures for the operation thereof as determined by The FA from time to time.

“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

(b) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

(c) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 16.

(d) The Competition will be known as “Oving & District Villages’ Cup”. The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club, which ceases to exist, or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

(e) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.

NOMENCLATURE AND CONSTITUTION

2. (A) This Competition shall be designated the Oving & District Villages’ Football Challenge Cup Competition.

The Competition shall be competed for annually and shall be organised as a Knock Out Competition.

All such 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 the Form “D” to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association.

The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be open to any Village Club providing such Club is within an area of a circle of twelve (12) miles radius from Oving Village Church. The Committee shall have the power to refuse entry of any Club to the Competition if they deem such a course desirable.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Berks & Bucks Football Association.

(B) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination

(i). This competition and each Member club shall be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination.

(ii). This Competition and each Member Club does not and shall not (by its Rules or Regulations or) in any manner whatsoever unlawfully discriminate against any person within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 or any law, enactment, order or regulation relating to discrimination (whether by age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.

iii. This Competition and each Member Club shall make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognizing that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.

iv. Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation shall be referred to the appropriate sanctioning Association for investigation.

(C) All participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by the Association from time to time.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

3. (A) Applications by clubs for admission to this Competition shall be made in writing to the Hon.Secretary by 15th August and shall be accompanied by an entry fee of £20.00 per team, as per the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

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

(C) Clubs shall advise annually to the Hon.Secretary in writing by 15th August of its County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £10.00 as per the Fines Tariff. Clubs shall advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

4. (A) (i) 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 four (4) members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

(ii) The Officers of the Competition shall be the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. (N.B. Verifiers are not Officers).

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 30th June in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting

(C) The Management Committee shall meet as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the Hon.Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.

(D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Hon.Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.

(E) All communications received from Clubs shall be conducted through their nominated Officers. A Club shall acknowledge all correspondence within seven (7) days. Failure to comply shall incur a fine of £5.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

POWERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint Sub-Committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all Sub-Committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification.

(B) Subject to the permission of the Berks & Bucks County Football Association 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 Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which 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 6(E) )

(C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee 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 Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule shall be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. 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.

(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 shall be notified in writing to those concerned within fourteen (14) days.

(F) (Four (4)) Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three (3) Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any Sub-Committee of the Competition.

(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.

(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 the correspondence of the Competition 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 (14) days of the date of posting of the written notification. Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule shall incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.

(J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.

(K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition in between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6. (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least four (4) Members are present and entitled to vote:

(i) To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.

(ii) To consider any business arising therefrom.

(iii) To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.

(iv) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).

(v) Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.

(vi) Election of Officers and Management Committee.

(vii) Appointment of Verifier of Accounts.

(viii) Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).

(ix) Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.

(x) 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/verified Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.

(C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts shall be sent to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association(s) within fourteen (14) days of its adoption by the Annual General Meeting.

(D) Each Full Member Club/Team shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than fourteen (14) days’ notice shall be given of any Meeting.

(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision shall not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.

(F) 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.

(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.

(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

7. The Chairman and 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, A ,_____ _____________of _________________________(Chairman) and

B ________________________of _________________________(Secretary) of the _________________________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Oving and District Villages Cup Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16.”

Any alteration of the Chairman and /or Secretary on the above Agreement shall be notified to the Berks & Bucks County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Hon.Secretary of the Competition.

(Note: The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signatures and addresses of officers and members).

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

8. (A)(i) It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any player aged ten (10) and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(ii) While serving in any branch of Her Majesty’s Regular Forces a player shall first obtain the consent of his Association Secretary before signing a registration form to play for a Club.

(B) A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible is:

1) A Native. A native of the village or parish is eligible to play in any such match of the Competition no matter where he resides, providing the Club concerned has complied with Rule 8c. Members of the Club concerned, who were born of parents permanently residing in the village or parish at the time of their birth, qualify as natives.

2) A Bona-fide Resident. A bona-fide resident shall mean one whose permanent home is in the village or parish of the Club for which he proposes to play and has been so for at least twelve (12) calendar months prior to the first day of the current season, and providing the Club concerned has complied with Rule 8c. The first day of the season shall be recognised by the Football League in England.

3) A Player. Players shall have been registered with the Club in the League in which the Club competes for the past two (2) seasons, and shall have played at least twelve (12) games in each season. In the current season they shall have played five (5) League or Cup games before the first round, or three (3) League or Cup games before the preliminary round.

Friendlies do not count.

Any member who is called up for compulsory service with Her Majesty’s Forces and whose parents or family home is still in the village or parish as stated above, and he is registered with the Club concerned as stated in Rule 8c, qualifies as a bona-fide resident. Any member who has formed a home for himself away from the village or parish of the Club for which he proposes to play, immediately forfeits his eligibility to play for that Club.

(C) No individual shall be allowed to play for more than one (1) Club in the Competition in the same season but the members of each Team may be changed during the series of matches. Each individual player shall be a properly registered member of his Club, and the Competition. A player in special circumstances may be signed up to time of kick-off as long as the Registration Form is signed by an Officer of the opposing Club and the match referee and they state the time of signature. All other players’ forms shall be properly signed and completed at least seven (7) days prior to the match in whom the Club concerned intends to play him. Each Club shall have at least twelve (12) players registered with this Competition seven (7) days before commencement of the first round. Each player shall be registered on a proper Registration Form, which may be obtained from the Hon.Secretary of the Competition.

Where a match is postponed, drawn or abandoned, only those players who were qualified on the original scheduled date shall be eligible to play in this rearranged fixture except a player who has been suspended may play after the term of his suspension has expired.

NOTE: The Registration Form clearly defines the qualifications of the player (i.e. birth, residential, player). The form shall be completed and signed by the player and the Secretary of the Club for which he intends to play, and the whole form forwarded to the Hon.Secretary of the Competition who shall register the player, and return the completed counterfoil to the Club Secretary concerned. The actual date of registration shall be stated on this counterfoil.

All players must be registered through the Whole Game System (WGS).

(D) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

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.

(E) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to:

(i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season.

(ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the

Competition in the same season.

(iii) Submit a signed registration form for registration that the player had wilfully

neglected to accurately or fully complete.

(F) (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 any player or may fine any player at their discretion who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).

(iii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of any player found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 16). Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated conduct, which may deter a participant from being involved in this Competition.

(Note: Action under Rule 8(F)(iii) should 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 Competition into disrepute.)

(G) 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.

(H) 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 at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged.

Registrations are valid for one Season only.

(I) Any Team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players may be excluded from the Competition and fined a sum not exceeding £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

(J) (i) Priority shall be given at all times to school and school organisations activities.

(ii) The availability of children shall be cleared with the Head Teachers.

(iii) No player under the age of sixteen (16) as at midnight on 31st August of the current season are eligible to play in this Competition.

(Note: For players under the age of eighteen (18) the provisions contained in Football Association Rules shall apply.)

CLUB COLOURS. CLUB NAME

9. (A) Every Club shall register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Hon.Secretary by 15th August who shall decide as to their suitability.

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

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

Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they shall play to its opponents at least five (5) days before the match.

If, in the opinion of the Referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the Home Team shall make the change except in a replay played on a neutral ground, and Semi-Final and Final Ties, when the Management Committee shall have the power to order either or both Teams to change. Any Team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

The Hon.Secretary of the Competition 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. Shirts shall be uniquely numbered.

(B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours shall obtain permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee.

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY

TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES

10. (A) All the necessary byes shall be given in the First Round, and the Ties shall be drawn and played on the dates determined by the Council, at least fourteen (14) days notice shall be given to the Club by the Hon.Secretary. Except in the Semi-Finals and Final ties, when the Hon.Secretary shall also notify the Clubs concerned of the venue for these matches, the Clubs first drawn shall have the choice of ground and in all matches, including the Final Tie, an extra thirty (30) minutes or a lesser equal amount each way decided by the Referee, shall be played in the event of a draw at full time. If the match is still a draw after such extra time, or in the event of extra time not being completed, and neither Team is at fault, the match shall be replayed on the ground of the Club, which had not the choice of ground in the first match. The replays shall be, where possible, on the following Saturday. The Committee shall decide the ground for a match to be replayed as a consequence of a breach of Rules and also when a Tie has resulted in two (2) drawn games.

At the Management Committee’s discretion in the event of a draw after ninety (90) minutes and extra time the tie will be decided by penalties.

Both Semi-Finals are to be at played Oving Recreation Ground or a suitable venue at the Management Committee’s discretion. The Final Tie shall be played at the Oving Recreation Ground on Easter Monday or if postponed , at a suitable venue and time at the Management Committee’s instruction.

(B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

Clubs shall 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 dimensions of the field of play for all Cup Ties shall be within the following limits:

a) LENGTH: Minimum 100 yards

Maximum 120 yards

b) WIDTH: Minimum 60 yards

Maximum 100 yards

Playing pitch shall be rectangular in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

Goal nets shall be used in all matches and where the playing pitch is not enclosed, space should, if possible, be roped off behind the goal posts.

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 duration of 90 minutes and shall be of equal halves.

The Annual General Meeting or the Management Committee shall fix the times of kick-off. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined a sum of £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff, or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.

Referees shall order matches to commence at the appointed time and shall report all late starts to the Competition.

The Home Team shall provide at least two (2) footballs fit for play and the Referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets shall be used.

Both competing Clubs shall submit completed Team Sheets to the Referee in his dressing room at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off time.

Note: Rule 8D allows for a player to be signed on up to the KO.

Player’s full names (IN BLOCK LETTERS) shall correspond with the numbers worn by the players. Failure to comply shall incur a fine of £5.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

(C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches shall be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches shall be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a match with the consent of the Fixture Secretary.

(D) The Secretary of the Home Club shall give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least five (5) clear days prior to the playing of the match. The away Club shall seek and acknowledge receipt of such particulars.

Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £5.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

If a match as originally drawn or is postponed on two (2) occasions, the Management

Committee may order the match to be played on the opposing Clubs ground.

(E). A minimum of seven (7) players shall constitute a Team for a Competition match.

(F) In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, award the match to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them.

Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture shall, without delay, give notice to the Secretary, the Secretary of the opposing Club and the match officials. Any Club failing to comply shall be dealt with by the Management Committee who may levy a fine of £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Hon.Secretary within seven (7) days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. 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 matches prior to the Semi-Finals and Final Ties (except as stated in Rule 18) where gate money is taken or a collection is made, the balance of the receipts, after paying there from the fees for Officials and expenses, shall be divided equally between the Clubs competing. If the receipts are not sufficient to meet these expenses the deficit shall be borne by the Home Clubs. All accounts shall be cleared within seven (7) days of the match.

Should a match have to be replayed owing to a breach of Rules, the Club in default shall not receive any share of the receipts from such match without the consent of the Management Committee. If consent is not given by the Management Committee the share due to the Club shall be taken by the Competition.

In the Semi-Finals and Final Ties the whole of the proceeds of these matches shall be taken by the Competition. No balance derived from the proceeds of these matches shall be devoted to any other object. A balance sheet shall be made out annually, audited, and a copy sent out to the participating Clubs at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting.

In the Final Tie, Referees, Assistant Referees fees and expenses, and hire of ground shall be borne by the Competition.

No travelling expenses shall be paid to Clubs taking part in any Ties.

The Management Committee shall review all matches abandoned in cases 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 match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action as they consider appropriate. Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate Affiliated Association.

(G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use three (3) substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from five (5) players.

The Referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than fifteen (15) minutes before the start of the match.

Note: Rule 8C allows for a player to be signed on up to the KO.

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 this Competition.

(H) The half time interval shall be of ten (10) minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the Referee.

REPORTING RESULTS

11. (A) The Hon.Secretary shall receive within three (3) days of the date played (Sundays excluded), the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This shall include the forename(s) and surname of the team players (in block letters) and also the referee markings required by Rule 13(H) or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so shall incur a fine of £5.00, as per the Fines Tariff, and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.

(B) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club. The Management Committee shall have power to take such action as they deem suitable against a Club, which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.

DETERMINING the WINNER

12. All matches shall be straight knockout.

REFEREES

13. (A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed BY THE Referee Secretary as approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).

(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, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee and be entitled to be normal fee as per rule 13(E).

(C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, 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 shall result in a fine of £5.00 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 shall be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.

(E) Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to the following match fees as per the Fees Tariff, to be divided equally between the two competing clubs, in inclusive of travelling expenses:

All Rounds: Referee £40.00

Assistant Referee £25.00

Semi-Finals: Referee £40.00

Assistant Referee £25.00

Final: Referee £40.00 and a memento

Assistant Referee £25.00 and a memento

The Home Club shall offer the Officials their fees before the match.

(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 full fee. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default and the officials attend the ground that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials their full fee.

(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 Club 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 Competition on the prescribed Form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to the Berks & Bucks Football Association

(J) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the Secretary within two (2) days of the match.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR

WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

14. (A) After 31^st 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 Competition shall notify the Secretary in writing by 31^st March each Season or be liable to a fine of £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season shall confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by 15th August.

(B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw from the Competition after the Annual General Meeting for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine of £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff, and shall also be liable for its share of any call, which may be made under Rule 5(B).

(C) 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 Competition.

In the event that any such obligation remains undischarged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then such obligation shall be met by the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age. Until a Member’s pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club’s Parent County Association for a suspension order.

.

PROTESTS AND COMPLAINTS

15. (A)(i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee whose decision shall bee final.

(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue shall not be entertained by the Management 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 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 duplicate with the Secretary within five (5) days (excluding Sundays) 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 his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.

(C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition 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 Secretary a sum of £10.00, as per the Fees Tariff. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition 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 enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.

(E) All parties to a protest or complaint shall be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and shall have received seven (7) 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.

BOARD OF APPEAL

16. Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Berks & Bucks Football Association, including a fee of £25.00, as per the Fees Tariff, 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.

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.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS. OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

17. (A) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, 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 shall 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 General Meeting, or 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, which shall 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 provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.

TROPHY: LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. AWARDS.

18. (A) The Officers of the Competition shall for all intents and purposes be the legal owners of the Cup, which cannot be won outright. If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the sanctioning Association may decide.

(B)The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the Cup or Trophy:

“We A_________________and B______________________, the Chairman and Secretary of ________________________FC, members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of _____________________Cup or Trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the Cup or Trophy to the Competition Hon.Secretary on or before 31st March. If the Cup or Trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”

(C) At the close of each Competition awards may be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

19. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Clubs in membership the Hon.Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting.

The Management Committee may call a Special General Meeting at any time.

At least fourteen (14) days notice shall be given of either meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. Each Full Member Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all Special General Meetings. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at a Special General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined £10.00, as per the Fines Tariff.

Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all Special General Meetings.

ALTERATION TO RULES

20. (A) Alterations shall be made to these Rules only at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 19. Any alterations made during the playing 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 the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted to the Secretary by 28^th February in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals from the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 15^th March and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 31^st March.

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 two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote are in favour.

(C) Any alterations or additions decided upon at any meeting shall not become operative until the approval of the Berks & Bucks Football Association shall have been obtained.

FINANCE

21. (A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition shall be lodged.

(B) All expenditure in excess of £100.00 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.

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

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

RULE BOOKS

22. The Rules shall be printed at such intervals as the Competition Committee decide. A copy of the Competition’s Rules will be posted on the website of the Oving & District Villages’ Cup Competition page of adl-football.co.uk

INSURANCE

23. All clubs must have valid public liability insurance cover of at least ten million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.

All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ personal accident cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the sanctioning Association. In instances where The Football Association is the sanctioning Association, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.

DISSOLUTION

24. (A) Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at a Special General Meeting by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant Special General Meeting.

(B) In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition.

(C) The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:

(i) Any surplus assets, save for a Trophy or any other presentation, remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or affiliated Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the sanctioning Association.

(ii) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a Trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the Donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the sanctioning Association may decide.

FEES TARIFF

RULE NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	MAXIMUM FEE
3 (A)	ENTRY FEE	£ 20.00
8 (E)	REGISTRATION FORM	No Charge
8 (I)	TRANSFER FORM	No Charge
13 (E)	REFEREE FEES	£ 40.00
13 (E)	ASSISTANT REFEREE FEES	£ 25.00
15 (D) and 16	PROTEST/APPEAL FEES	£ 50.00 up to

FINES TARIFF

RULE NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	MAXIMUM FINE
2 (E)	FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FA INITIATIVES	£0.00
3 (C)	FAILURE TO PAY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION	£10.00
3 (E)	FAILURE TO PROVIDE AFFILIATION NUMBER/DETAILS FORM	£0.00
4 (D)	COMMUNICATIONS CONDUCTED BY PERSONS OTHER THAN NOMINATED OFFICERS	£0.00
4 (E)	FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN INSTRUCTION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE	£5.00
6 (H)	FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT AGM	£10.00
8 (B)	FAILURE TO CORRECTLY REGISTER A PLAYER	£0
8 (K)	REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES	£0.00
8 (M)	PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER	£10.00
8 (P)	FAILURE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES	£0
10 (B)	DELAYING KICK OFF/NO NETS/ NO CORNER FLAGS	£10.00
10 (B)	LATE HANDED OVER TEAMSHEET	£0.00
10 (C)	FAILURE TO PLAY MATCHES ON THE DATE FIXED	£0.00
10 (D)	FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF A FIXTURE	£5.00
10 (E)	PLAYING MATCH WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED NUMBER OF PLAYERS	£5 per player
10 (F)	FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE	£10.00
10 (I)	NO CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND	£0
11 (A)	LATE TEAM SHEET	£5.00
11 (B)	FAILURE TO PROVIDE RESULT	£0.00
13 (B)	FAILURE TO AGREE UPON A REFEREE	£0.00
13 (C)	FAILURE TO PROVIDE CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREE	£5.00
13 (E)	FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND EXPENSES	£0.00
13 (F)	FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS WHERE A MATCH IS NOT PLAYED	£0.00
13 (H)	FAILURE TO PROVIDE REFEREE’S MARK	£0.00
14 (A)	FAILURE TO GIVE NOTICE OF RESIGNATION BEFORE THE 31st MARCH	£10.00
14 (B)	WITHDRAWING FROM COMPETITION AFTER THE AGM	£10.00
19	FAILURE TO ATTEND A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING	£10.00
22	FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE	£0.00
24	FAILURE TO HAVE A FIRST AID KIT AVAILABLE	£0.00
26	FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF RULE BOOK	£0.00

CHILD PROTECTION

1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter, which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.

2. In these Regulations the expression “Offence” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

3. Upon receipt by The Association of:

3.1 notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or

3.2 notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the

Police, Social Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or

3.3 any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children then The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

4. In reaching its determination as to whether an order under Regulation 3 should be made The Association shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:

4.1 whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;

4.2 whether the matters are of a serious nature;

4.3 whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded.

5. The period of an order referred to in 3 above shall not be capable of lasting beyond the date upon which any charge under The Rules of The Association or any Offence is decided or brought to an end.

6. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.

7. Where a person is convicted, or is made the subject of a caution in respect of an Offence, that shall constitute a breach of the Rules of The Association and The Association shall have the power to order the suspension of the person from all or any specific football activity for such a period (including indefinitely) and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

8. For the purposes of these Regulations, The Association shall act through its Council or any Committee or Sub-Committee thereof, including the Board.

9. Notification in writing of an order referred to above shall be given to the person concerned and/or any Club with which he is associated as soon as reasonably practicable.

10. The applicable standard of proof shall be the civil standard, of the balance of probability. The more serious the allegation taking into account the nature of the misconduct alleged and the context of the case the greater the burden of evidence required to find the matter proved. Save that for charges pursuant to The Football Association’s Child Protection Policy, where the welfare and protection of children shall be paramount and the test shall be whether more likely than not.