CLUB RULES

High Lane Junior Football Club will hereafter be known as 'The Club'.
Aim of the Club - The aim of the club is to organise regular competitive junior football and associated activities for children from High Lane and neighbouring districts and their friends.
Club Affiliation - The club shall have the status of an affiliated member club of the Cheshire County Football Association (C.C.F.A.). The rules and regulations of the Football Association Limited and the C.C.F.A. and/or any League or Competition to which the Club is affiliated for the time being shall be deemed to be incorporated into the Club rules.
Club Meetings - There will be a Club meeting during the last week of each month, day to be agreed, commencing promptly at 8.00pm at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club or at such other venue as the Club management shall from time to time decide.
Representation at Club Meetings - Each squad must be represented by the manager or his nominated deputy, and any apologies should be registered to the secretary prior to the meeting. Any parents who wish to attend will be most welcome.
Voting at Club Meetings, The AGM and any EGM - Should the club management decide to put any issues concerning the Club to the vote, each member of the management committee shall have one vote and each team shall have one vote by it's manager or their nominated deputy. No one shall have more than one vote. The result of the vote will be on a simple majority basis on a show of hands. In the event of a tie the chairman shall have the casting vote. Whilst parents are welcome to attend, they shall not be entitled to a vote. The quorum of any meeting shall be five.
Accounts - The Clubs financial year commences on the 1st July in each year and an audited balance sheet shall be produced by the Club Treasurer for general inspection no later than the 31st August immediately following.
Players - Players will only be eligible to play for the Club in league and cup matches when they have signed a correctly completed official league registration form, countersigned by a parent or guardian, and paid the Clubs annual registration fee. Team squads at each age group are restricted by the league, these restrictions are referenced in the league handbook. No player can be registered by the Club after the 31st January in any season.
Registration Rules - Any player registered with the club may not register with or play for any other club, registered with the Stockport Metro League, within the same season, without first being officially transferred, as per the league rules, via the Club and league secretaries.
Illegal Approaches - It is a serious offence for any club to attempt to induce a player already registered with another league club to join them in mid-season. Any club found guilty shall be liable to a fine, deduction of points or even expulsion from the league. Consequently, any player who is approached by a representative of another club during the course of a season MUST inform his team manager or the Club secretary IMMEDIATELY.
Training - Although it is recognised that players have other important commitments such as homework, scouts, cubs etc., it is appreciated by the team managers if players make every effort to attend team training sessions on a regular basis.
Care of Boots - It is extremely important that players take good care of their boots and make regular checks on their condition, ensuring especially that studs are not worn to leave any sharp edges. Regular spot checks are made by referees and boys will quite rightly be prevented from playing if their boots are considered to be in a dangerous condition.
Match Days - All players (including substitutes) selected for a particular league or cup match will be required (a) to sign the official match card in order to ensure that only properly registered players have played, and (b) to ensure that they arrive at the pre-arranged meeting place at the correct time with their full kit.
Squad Members - Attendance at matches by squad members who have not been selected to play is encouraged in order to give the team vocal support and to promote team spirit amongst the whole squad. It should be emphasised that all members of the squad are important to the team and any player not selected for any particular match must not consider himself unwanted in any way. A settled side is of course preferable and unfortunately only 11 players and 5 substitutes can be selected for any match, but opportunities will arise during the course of the season through injuries, unavailability etc. for EVERY registered player to establish himself as a regular member of the team. The team managers selection shall be final and binding.
Unavailability - If, after confirming his availability for a forthcoming match to his team manager, a player subsequently finds that for some reason he is unable to play (e.g. injury or illness) he must contact his team manager AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that a replacement can be notified at the earliest opportunity.
ORGANISED SCHOOL FOOTBALL MUST HAVE PRIORITY OVER CLUB GAMES.
Postponed Matches - In order to avoid unnecessary journeys team managers will endeavour to contact all selected players as soon as they receive confirmation that any match has been postponed. The general rule therefore is that players must turn up for the match at the appointed time unless prior advice is received from the team manager to the contrary. However if any player is in doubt about whether or not a match will be played owing to poor weather conditions etc. he should contact his team manager for up to date information in this respect.
Transport - The Club is heavily dependent upon help from parents with transport to away matches and any assistance in this respect is always especially welcome. General support for the team by parents, friends etc. at matches, both home and away is always much appreciated by the Club and more importantly by the players.
Conduct - The Club management is very keen on sportsmanship being shown by all players at all times, both on and off the pitch. Bad sportsmanship of any kind will not be tolerated and any players displaying unsporting behaviour will be liable to immediate substitution or suspension by the Club for at least one match. Dissent at a referees decision will particularly be frowned upon in this respect. A referee will not change his decision once made and constant dissent and moans will simply antagonise a referee. Any player guilty of foul or abusive language or unnecessarily violent play during a match will similarly be liable to immediate substitution or suspension, in addition to any fines or penalties which might be imposed by the league or regional football association. Players should remember whenever they are attending any event connected with High Lane Junior Football Club, whether a match or some other Club function, that they are representing not only the Club but all the district of High Lane, and should always conduct themselves accordingly.
Club Image - The image of the Club must be foremost at ALL times, and managers will be held responsible for their own conduct, as well as their deputies, players and spectators. Constant tarnishing of the Club's image could result in the offending person being dismissed from the Club.
Fines - Player's fines must be paid by the player/players parents NOT the Club. Failure to return any relevant forms to the County FA will result in the player being suspended from playing.
Kit - All kit sponsorship must be via the committee and any such sponsored kit is the property of the Club and not the individual squads or players.
Financial Priorities - The first priority of each squad is to ensure that all it's obligations as regards pitch fees, registration to the league and referees fees are met before any other financial obligations are undertaken.
Registration - All teams at present are registered to the Stockport Metro League.
Age Groups - The Club will run teams in the age groups Under 9s upwards IF these teams can be organised and run cost effectively.
Club Management - All nominations for the Club's management positions and any rule changes should be declared in writing in a sealed envelope to the secretary a minimum of one Club meeting prior to the AGM.
Positions available are:
Chairman,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Assistant Treasurer,
Commercial Secretary,
Child Protection Officer,
Press Officer.
Trophies - Club trophies to be awarded at the end of each season are:
Club Man of the Year (Mike Ward Shield),
Managers Player of the Year,
Players Player of the Year,
Most Improved Player of the Year,
Most Man of the Match Awards,
Club Man of the Year invites nominations of players who in the opinion of each team manager has helped to promote the good name of the Club by example and effort, not necessarily ability or result - one nomination per team submitted to the full committee for one overall winner. All other trophies are one each per team.