Please Learn The Rules

For a number of years we have been telling clubs how this League runs, either at meetings, in this magazine, or on our web site. Now we expect some problems with newer teams, but it sometimes astonishes me how some 'old hands' still don't know what to do. Let's again clear up your responsibilities when it comes to match fees:

• League Matches - The HOME TEAM is responsible for the referee's fees (before kick-off).

• Cup Matches - BOTH TEAMS are equally responsible for the referee's fees (before kick-off).

• Assistant Referees (linesmen) - EACH TEAM is responsible for the match fees for one assistant (I.e., cup semi finals).

• Pitch Fees - The HOME TEAM is responsible for pitch fees in both League and League Cup matches. If a League cup fixture is reversed the new home team is responsible, not the original home team. The fixture would only be reversed if the original home team has no pitch that week, whereas the original away team does. Therefore no-one is losing out. Besides, we feel these things balance out over the course of the season.

Fines Administered by the League

If your club falls foul of League rules, you will receive a fine, administered by Barrie Fox, the league's Disciplinary secretary.

If you feel the fine is unjust, you should take the following action:

• Pay the fine in full, by the date stated on the fine.

• Send a £10 appeal fee, along with a letter stating why you feel the fine is unjust

• All correspondence must come from the club's secretary

Please do not ignore the fine, or refuse to pay. This comes under rule as failing to deal with league business and it incurs a further fine.

There have been some incidences of clubs sending in appeal letters without paying the fine or the appeal fee and some letters of appeal have not come from the club secretary. Should your appeal be successful, your appeal fee and fine are returned in full.