Name: The name of the club shall be at all times, -
WHITTLESFORD UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Hereafter referred to as ‘The Club’
The club colours shall be Red Shirts, red white or black shorts and red socks. An alternative coloured strip may be worn where a clash of colours dictates.
Objects
The objects of the Club shall be to arrange and participate in Association Football matches and social events for its members. To promote fair play and a spirit of sportsmanship in compliance with the published rules of the Cambridgeshire Football Association as amended from time to time.
Status of Constitution
This constitution and its rules form a binding agreement between the Club and its members.
Club Membership
The members of the Club are those persons listed in the registry of members that shall be maintained by the Secretary. This may consist of both playing and non-playing members. Election to membership shall be at the sole discretion of the Club Committee.
Annual Membership Fee
The Club Committee may decide from time to time that an annual fee payable by each member will be applicable. Any fee shall be payable on successful application for membership and annually by each member. Fees shall not be repayable.
Resignation and Expulsion
A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if and from the date on which, he/she gives notice to the Club Committee of their resignation. A member whose annual membership fee or subscription is more than 2 months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned.
The Club Committee shall have the power to expel a member when, in their opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for them to remain a member; there shall be no appeal procedures.
A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share in any, of the Club property.
Management
The management of the Club shall be conducted by the Management Committee consisting of the following Officers: -
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Assisted by the following Committee: -
Fixtures Secretary
Team Managers
Members of the Committee, as elected at the A.G.M, together with such members co-opted from time to time as deemed necessary for the execution of a specific project (i.e Social Functions and Marketing)
Honorary Life Members are to be elected at the A.G.M by majority vote.
The Management Committee are to be elected at the A.G.M by majority vote to serve for one year but may stand for re-election.
Team Managers shall be elected by the Committee at the Committee meeting immediately following the A.G.M. Team Managers shall remain in office until their resignation or replacement by the Committee.
The Chairman of the Committee shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. The quorum to transact business shall be four members. A quorum shall consist of two officers and two members of the Committee.
The Secretary, or in his absence, a member elected, shall keep minutes of the meetings as a record in the minute book.
Representation
The Management Committee shall appoint two representatives to the Lawn Trust. They will be required to attend meetings, raise any relevant issues and report back on matters pertaining to the Lawn.
Procedures
1) The Secretary or Chairman shall call an A.G.M at the end of each season, the Agenda for which shall be determined according to the business to be conducted but shall be for the express purpose of receiving Accounts for the preceding season and election of Officers and Committee members. The Secretary may also call an E.G.M if specific business requires such action. In both cases at least two weeks notice shall be given.
2) No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present. If such a quorum is not present within half an hour of the set time for the meeting, the Chairman or other duly elected officer present shall adjourn the meeting until the same day in the next week.
3) The Secretary or a nominated committee member present shall keep minutes of all business transacted at AGM’s, E.G.M’s and committee meetings and these minutes shall be circulated to all committee members prior to the next meeting.
4) Binding decisions can only be made when a quorum is present and should be formally minuted.
5) Any proposals, suggestions or complaints from non-committee members shall be made in writing to the Secretary who shall bring the matter to the attention of the Committee. Persons who are not committee members may be invited to attend a committee meeting to elaborate on a matter raised in writing at the discretion of the Chairman.
6) Club rules may be changed at an A.G.M or an E.G.M by majority vote. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the secretary at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. Consideration of proposals that have not complied with the forgoing shall be at the discretion of the Chairman.
7) The dates of all committee meetings shall be agreed in advance.
8) All matters of team discipline are to be dealt with by the Managers except for actions of gross misconduct or at the Managers request, when the relevant matter shall be put before the committee.
9) All trophies become the responsibility of the individual recipient for safekeeping and are to be returned to the Chairman by the end of April each year.
10) The Secretary or a member of the Management Committee shall ensure that Home match results are communicated to the Cambridgeshire Football Association’s Competition department by the stipulated time and method.
11) Team Managers are to ensure that formal result sheets are sent to the Cambridgshire Football Association’s Competition department by the stipulated time.
12) The Club Secretary is to ensure all Registration documents, fees etc are forwarded to the Cambridgeshire Football Association by the stipulated dates.
13) The Club’s Fixture Secretary is to confirm all home matches to the Club Secretary of the designated opponents no later than 5 days before the match date.
Team Selection
1) Team selection shall be the responsibility of team managers in co-operation. Managers must ensure that they only select eligible players.
2) Team managers must consult with the Secretary prior to the transfer and selection of any player to ensure correct procedures are followed.
3) Team Captains and Vice-Captains are to be selected by the relevant Team Manager
Finance
1) The Club shall prepare monthly and annual Profit and Loss accounts together with Balance Sheet that will be presented to the A.G.M. The accounts of the club are to be audited annually by an independent Auditor and sent to Cambridgeshire Football Association by the stipulated date.
2) Bank accounts shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club and Club funds shall only be used in furtherance of the Club objectives.
3) All payments from Club funds shall be cheque payments and each cheque must be signed by any two of: The Chairman, Treasurer and/or Secretary/Fixture Secretary.
4) Mangers are responsible for the collection of all match fees and for paying the match official(s). Receipts of payment by players and to the match official(s) are to be recorded. Any player falling in to arrears covering more than three games shall be reported to the Committee and may face suspension. All match receipts less deductions should be remitted to the Club Treasurer no later than the next monthly Committee meeting. All match fees are to be paid by the end of the season, the date for this purpose being the 31st May.
5) Fines imposed on members by the Cambridgeshire Football Association are the responsibility of each individual and must be paid to the Secretary within fourteen days of notification. The Club is required to pay fines to Cambridgeshire FA within 7 days, players who fail to reimburse the club may not be eligible for selection. Persistent non-payment may be reported to the Cambridgeshire Football Association who have the power to ban players from playing anywhere in their District until such time as the balance is paid.
6) All fines are too be paid by the end of the season, the date for this purpose being the 31st May. By special arrangement and with the approval of the committee, monies may be paid after this date but no later than the 15th August. Monies outstanding after this date will deem a player ineligible for selection.
7) At any time a player can make payments to the club in installments, a regular payment via Bank Standing Order/Direct Debit must be agreed in writing by both parties.
8) If a player wishes to transfer to another club, he will be required to pay any outstanding fines and return any individual items owned by the club such as tracksuits/training tops. The Secretary will only release (after consultation with the Treasurer and appropriate Manager), the player’s registration number to the intended club once he is satisfied that all financial and other liabilities have been discharged.
9) Match fees, Kit wash fees and telephone allowances to club officers and committee members shall be set out at the A.G.M for the forthcoming season.
10) All money raised by the Club, Trophies and equipment shall remain the property of the Club.
Dissolution
1) A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be passed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of the members present.
2) The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Committee shall be responsible for the winding up any assets and liabilities of the Club.
3) Any surplus assets remaining after discharge of debts and liabilities of the Club shall be disposed of in such manner as the members of the club agree.
Codes of Conduct
The following Codes of Conduct have been extracted from the Football Association Code of Conduct for Coaches and forms the benchmark for all involved in Coaching at whichever level.
Coaches must:
1) Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of sport.
2) Place the well being and safety of each player above all other considerations including the development of performance.
3) Adhere to the guidelines laid down by governing bodies.
4) Develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
5) Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
6) Ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.
7) At the outset, clarify with the players (and where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
8) Co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, and physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.
9) Promote the positive aspects of sport (e.g fair play) and never condone violation of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.
10) Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
11) Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Codes of Conduct for Players
A player should:
1) Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game and any competition rules.
2) Make every effort consistent with fair play and the Laws of the game to help his own team win.
3) Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
4) Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during the game.
5) Set a positive example to others.
6) Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
7) Not use inappropriate language.
8) Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
9) Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play and help injured opponents if necessary.
10) Accept the decision of match officials.
11) Abide by the instructions of their coach or team officials.
Code of Conduct for Team Officials
Team Officials should:
1) Set a positive example to others whilst promoting and developing his own team
2) Show due respect for match Officials and others involved in the game.
3) Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
4) Give priority to the interest of the team over individual interests.
5) Show due respect for the interests of the players, coaches and officials, their own club/team and others.
6) Show due respect for the interests of supporters
7) Show due respect towards and accept the decisions of match officials
Anti Discrimination Policy:
Whittlesford United Football Club is committed to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race nationality, ethnic origin, colour, and religion of disability.
Equal Opportunity at Whittlesford United Football Club means that in all our activities we will not discriminate nor treat anyone less favourably on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
Whittlesford United Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure such behaviour is met with the appropriate action.
Club Complaints Procedure
In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, or that Club Policies, Rules or Codes of Conduct have been broken, they should follow the procedures below:
1) They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or other members of the Management committee.
The report should include:
Details of what, where and when the occurrence took place,
Any witness statement and names,
Details of any former complaint made about the incident with dates and to whom made.
2) The Club Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.
3) The Club Management Committee has the power to:-
Warn as to future conduct
Suspend from membership or
Remove from membership any person found to have broken the Clubs Policies or Codes of Conduct.
