This information is a guide only. Please obtain a copy of the
current league handbook from the League
General Secretary to familiarise yourselves with the rules by which
the League operates. Any questions about your application should also
be sent to him.
You are encouraged to consult us about joining the League, its
benefits and possible problem areas, before formalising your
application. You may be invited to a meeting or meetings to discuss
your plans.
Membership of the League is open to clubs whose playing headquarters
is within a 20 mile distance of Tonbridge Railway Station.
The cost of starting a club from scratch will probably not be less
than about £700 - £800 once kit is taken into account.
Annual running costs - pitch fees, referee fees, new footballs, first
aid kit etc etc will be several hundred pounds. You almost certainly
need a good sponsor! From a former club secretaries point of view, I
would absolutely make sure that you get a serious amount of money from
your players well before the season starts. This could be either as an
annual subscription or payment of match fees in advance. That helps
cash flow no end!
The League takes a very close look at all applications. You will be
asked many questions and will often be asked to provide documentary
evidence in answer.
Applications to join the League must be received not later than 18th
May. An initial entry fee of £50 for each team is payable with
the application. In addition an annual subscription of £60 plus a
goodwill deposit of £100 is payable if the application is
successful. The £50 entry fee is repaid in the event the club or
team is not admitted to the League.
Applications must be made on the official form obtainable from the
League General Secretary as above.
Application from existing clubs for Reserve or Third teams must also
be submitted by 18th May. Costs apart (you will already be affiliated
to the appropriate County FA) the issues are much the same as for new
clubs.
All clubs must be affiliated to the appropriate County Football
Association not later than 15th July. BEFORE you apply to join this
League, you should contact your County FA to establish the fees and
charges and obtain the relevant forms. These fees are in addition to
those you will have to pay to this League.
Players must be 16 years of age or older. You will be asked to give
us a list of potential players at the time of application. 'Poaching'
players from existing clubs is not acceptable. Also, please be aware
that, although it sounds very bureaucratic, you may need to obtain
international clearance if you are proposing to include foreign
nationals. After all, they may be suspended by their national FA!
Please check with the County FA or FA itself about this if in any doubt.
All players must be properly registered in accordance with League
Rule 8. You must have registered at last twelve (12) players THREE
WEEKS prior to the start of the season, which is the first Sunday in
September.
Your club must provide, with the application, positive evidence that
it has a pitch to use which is of an acceptable standard. If you are
thinking of using the facilities provided by Tonbridge and Malling
Council, Tunbridge Wells Council or the pitches at Putlands, Paddock
Wood you should discuss this with the League at the earliest
opportunity. The League has first call on the allocation of these
pitches.
If you are proposing to share a pitch with an existing club you will be
asked provide confirmation of agreement with them.
All pitches must have secure changing facilities for players and
officials to a standard acceptable to the League. If yours is a
facility unknown to the League, it will be inspected as part of your
application.
All clubs must have a correctly administered bank account. The use
of personal bank accounts for football business is strongly
discouraged! All payments to the League and by the League are by cheque.
Your attention is drawn to League Rule 22 concerning club financial
accounts. The County FA also has the power to scrutinise club accounts.
Public Liability Insurance is compulsory and a payment is included
in County FA fees. You should check whether it is adequate for the
pitch and facilities you intend to use.
You are urged to advise your players, particularly those who are
self-employed, to ensure they have adequate personal injury and
accident insurance. Clubs can pay into various schemes or players can
make individual arrangements to suit their circumstances. The payouts
from insurance schemes funded within the County FA charges are minimal.
Be aware that the League will not act as a debt-collector in the
event of players owing money. One simple rule helps - don't pay, don't
play next week!
The club should have a properly constituted commitee to run its
affairs. A 'one man band' is unlikely to gain acceptance by the League.
The official business of the league is conducted by correspondence.
Email is used to reduce costs and it is now virtually essential that
your club provides an email address through which official business
(for example sending fixture lists or invoices) may be conducted. This
website is used to keep everyone informed, but the conduct of official
business is in accordance with the rules in force.
Approved by the League Council April 2008