The Mid Ulster Football League Management Committee will meet with the clubs on a regular basis for the imparting of up to date information and distribution of fixtures. Unless otherwise notified, these meetings, known as League Meetings, will take place on the last Monday of the Month at a venue to be determined by the Management Committee.

In the event of a meeting being called on any other day all clubs should receive at least 14 days notice of the change of date.

All Clubs must attend League Meetings and must sign the attendance registers provided by the committee. Clubs who fail to sign the attendance registers will be deemed to be absent and dealt with accordingly, ie fined.

The Management Committee of the Mid Ulster Football League welcome applications from interested parties for entry into the League.

Entry level may be at Intermediate, Junior or Reserve team level, as appropriate, and applications in writing must be directed to the MUFL Honorary Secretary; see ‘Contact Details’ page of the MUFL website for relevant contact information.

In accordance with MUFL Rules, all applications must be received on or before 1st July for each new season.

Applicants should demonstrate that they can address the following criteria:

• Suitable Ground Availability/Access inc Facilities for Changing/Showering, Private and Enclosed
• Club Constitution in place inc structured Club Management Committee
• Competency re Financial Planning & Management
• Adequate Transportation, Club Administration & Communication Resources

In addition, preference may be given to those applicants who can provide evidence of the following optional criteria:

• If Successful, Entry into the MUFL has Little or No Detrimental Impact on Existing Member Clubs’ Players
• Minimum of 1 Year’s Experience of Competing as a Football Team / Club
• Code of Conduct accepted and in use by all players/members
• As close to an Impeccable Disciplinary Record as possible

The selection process will consist of documentary evidence for the above, all of which may be provided as supplementary appendices to the initial letter of application, plus a simple, 2-way ‘Question and Answer’ type interview with the Management Committee of the MUFL.

Please note: One of the main aims and objectives of the Mid Ulster Football League is to foster Association Football, under the auspices of the Irish Football Association, and by Divisional Association within the geographical area covered by the Mid Ulster Football Association. The number of vacancies within each of the 3 levels of football administered by the MUFL Management Committee may vary from year to year, in accordance with the circumstances prevailing at the actual time of re-configuration of the Divisions. Indeed, there may even be exceptional circumstances, where the MUFL are regrettably unable to offer even a single vacancy to interested applicants. The Management Committee of the MUFL reserve the right to make such judgements, in order to protect the integrity of the MUFL and in order to protect the best interests of existing member clubs.

This amalgamation of Clubs shall be called the Mid-Ulster Football League.

(a) The Annual General meeting shall be held not later than the 30th June each year. Each Club shall be entitled to have 2 representatives attending. The representatives attending this meeting shall appoint for the season, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon.Treasurer, Hon. Secretary and the Registration Secretary.The Hon Officials shall have a vote. The Chairman, in the case of a tie, is entitled to a casting vote. The Hon. Officials shall be ex-officio members of any Sub- Committee.

(b) The business of the league shall be conducted by a Management Committee elected annually at the AGM. Where possible thereafter, members can be co-opted. The Management Committee may appoint from within its members any number of sub-committees-the sub committee shall be responsible to the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall be made up as follows. Office bearers and 2 representatives from each Division of the League. Six to form a quorum.

(a) Applications for membership of the league shall be made on the forms provided.

(c) Clubs currently in membership must pay all League and guarantee fees by September 1st.

(d) All Subscriptions and guarantee fees will be determined annually.

(e) Applications from new Clubs must be accompanied by all relevant League and guarantee fees. Failure to provide such fees will render any such application invalid. In the event of any such application being unsuccessful, all monies will be returned.

(f) Any Clubs with fees outstanding after September 1st will be suspended from all matches under the jurisdiction of this League until all monies owing have been paid in full.

(g) Any Club remaining suspended after 12.00 noon on the Thursday prior to a Saturday fixture or 48 hours prior to the Kick-off of a midweek fixture will forfeit the points or Cup-Tie to their opponents.

(h) The Management Committee reserve the right to fine any Club deemed to be in contravention of League Rules.

(j) The minimum fine will be determined annually.

(k) Any Club fined under (h) above, will be notified in writing of:

• The nature of the Rule contravened.

• The amount of the fine.

• The due date by which the fine must be paid.

NB. No Club will be given less than 7 days in which to pay any fine imposed by this League.

(I) The Management Committee reserve the right to increase the fine for any Clubs who contravene the same Rule on more than one occasion during anyone season.

(m) Clubs who fail to pay fines by the due date will be suspended in accordance with (g) above.

(a) The Clubs comprising the League will be divided in Divisions and number as the Management Committee decide. At the end of the Competition, the Club attaining the highest number of points shall be declared the Champion Club of that Division. In the case of a Club having played in the League during the current season failing to fulfil its fixtures due to resignation, suspension or dismissal, all record of matches played will be deleted from the current seasons' record of the League. At the end of the season for the purposes of relegation, such Clubs will be considered as bottom Club of their section, but will not exist in the next lower section in the ensuing season. In the case of a Club having failed to play any matches in the League during the current season either through resignation, suspension or dismissal, it will be considered for the purposes of Promotion and Relegation that such Clubs have not existed in the League during the current season.

Should two or more Clubs be equal on points, goal difference will be used to determine their finishing position. If the Clubs are still equal on goal difference, then the goals scored for shall be used to determine finishing position. Should Clubs still be equal, then they must 'play-off' on a ground decided by the Management Committee to decide the winner. The proceeds of such a game to be divided between the two competing Clubs and the League in the following proportions, 50% (net) to the League and 25% (net) to each of the Clubs.

(b) All issues regarding promotion and Relegation will be determined annually by the Management Committee. NB. As a guideline, the Management will look to promote 2 teams from each Division per season.

(c) A Club wishing to resign from the League at the end of the season must do so, in writing, on or before the date of the AGM. Otherwise, it will be deemed a member of the League for the ensuing season. In the event of this Rule not being complied with, the guarantee fee will be forfeited.

The Management shall have the power to fine, suspend or expel any Cub, any member Committee of a Club, or any player of a Club whose conduct shall be deemed or in connection objectionable with any match or fixture. Complaints under this rule must be received by the League Secretary per Special Delivery bearing postmark within 4 days of the cause ( Sundays not included) and enclosing a deposit to be fixed annually which shall be forfeited in all cases where the complaint has not been sustained. An exact copy of the complaint must also be sent, at the same time, by Special Delivery service to the Secretary of the Club concerned The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with offending Club or Clubs, Player or Players, Official or Officials as they may think fit, and to deal with any other matter not provided for in these Rules.

(a) All communications must be addressed to the Secretary at his address who shall conduct the correspondence of the competition.

(b) Clubs must answer correspondence when required to do so. The Management Committee reserves the right to fine any Club who fail to answer Correspondence when directed so to do.

(c) All Subscriptions and Guarantees must be paid to the Treasurer. A banking account shall be opened in the name of the Mid-Ulster Football League and all funds shall be lodged to the credit of this account. Cheques to be signed by the Chairman and the Hon. Treasurer.

(a) All matches shall be played under the jurisdiction of the Irish Football Association Limited and subject to the Laws of the Game. A bona-fide member of a Club is one who has signed a League Registration form to be witnessed (such signature by a second person) and has been Registered with the League Registration Secretary two days before playing. In the event of a player signing two or more forms for two or more Clubs, priority of Registration shall decide to which Club the Player belongs and it shall be the duty of the League Registration Secretary to notify the Committee of the League. From Mid Ulster Division 1 downwards, no player shall be eligible. who, during the current season has played more than 6 matches in the Irish League Senior Division. A Club inducing a player to sign more than one Registration form or violating
this portion of the Rule shall be fined the sum of £12. A player signing a Registration form while already a signed player for another Club shall be automatically suspended for 6 matches by the League. Players shall be registered each season as and from the date of the Annual General Meeting. For this purpose of this Rule, computerised bulk forms to be signed. After October, forms must be posted singly. The League Registration Secretary will date stamp each form on the day he receives the form and that of the computerised bulk form Secretary. The Registration shall keep a full record of all Registrations and in the case of a protest shall produce the Registered forms at the meeting. No Club shall be allowed to register a player after the 31st March in each season.

(b) A players registration may be transferred any number of times during the season. Applications for the transfer of a players registration must be made on the Official form provided and accompanied by a fee to be decided.

(c) No Player shall play for more than one Club in the same Cup competition in the same season annually. No transfer shall be granted after the 31st December.

(a) A Club may, at its discretion, nominate up to 5 Substitute players, of which any 3 may be used in any time in any match, except to replace a player who has been suspended from the game by the Referee. The substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. Only 3 substitutions by each side will be permitted in any match and the substitute players shall be nominated prior to the commencement of the game.

(b) The Secretary or Representative of a Club can receive information from the League Registration Secretary regarding the Registration of any player, accompanied by a £2 fee for each player.

Any team playing an ineligible player or players( whether through non-registration or otherwise) will be fined £20 for each ineligible player and shall forfeit the points won in such a match. In the case of a protest being upheld against a Club which has won a match by any violation of Rule, points so won will be deducted from them and may be awarded to their opponents. Protests under this Rule, giving particulars of protest must be received by the League Secretary bearing Post Mark within 2 days (Sundays not included) from date of the match enclosing a deposit of £30 which shall be forfeited in the event of protest not being sustained. A copy of the protest must be sent to the Club protested against at the same time. All protest and copies under this Rule must be sent by Special Delivery .Post Office Registration receipts shall be conclusive evidence as to time of posting.

(a) Objections as to ground, goal posts or ball must be lodged by the Captain with the Referee, in writing before the game is started and the Referee shall have the power to have such objections made right before the game starts.

(b) Protests must be received by Special Delivery service, bearing Post Mark within 2 days (Sundays not included) enclosing a deposit of £30- such fee will be forfeited in all cases where the protest has not been sustained. A copy of the protest must be sent to the Club protested against, at the same time by Special Delivery service.

(a) The Fixtures Secretary, or any appointed assistant will be responsible for arranging all matches- League and Cup- that come within the jurisdiction of this League. Clubs must play fixtures as directed and may not amend, alter or postpone any matches without prior agreement from the Fixtures Secretary or any appointed assistant. No fixture may be arranged, altered or amended, later than12.00 noon on the Thursday prior to a Saturday fixture or 48 hours prior to a midweek fixture without prior agreement between both Clubs and the Fixtures Secretary or any appointed assistant. In the event of any Club attempting to amend or alter fixtures as above, the Fixtures Secretary or any appointed assistant shall make a decision by which both Clubs shall abide. Clubs must play fixtures on these dates arranged by the League except the ground be covered with snow or declared unplayable by the Referee or is taken by Senior or Parent Associations. A Referee shall inspect the ground prior to the kick-off and shall immediately give his decision as to fitness of ground for play. In case of ground or grounds being covered with snow the League Officials shall have the power to postpone such fixtures provided that sufficient proof is put before them that the ground is snow-bound. Clubs must play on all available Saturdays except in the case of exceptional circumstances when the permission Secretary of the Fixtures must be obtained. Clubs wishing to apply for a free date must do so in writing at least 2 weeks in advance signifying same to the League Secretary and the sanction of Committee or Emergency Committee obtained.

(b) If for any reason a match has been terminated by a Referee, due to circumstances over which neither competing team has control, the result at the termination of play shall stand provided that the duration of the match has not been less than an hour. Any dispute regarding the outcome of the match shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision.

(c) All Cup matches will be scheduled to be played as two equal periods of 45 minutes. In the event of any cup match being terminated by the Referee, Rule (b) above will apply.

(d) Clubs must not arrange fixtures on the date on which Representative matches or the Semi-Final or Final ties are to be played except by express permission from the League.

Should a team not turn up in reasonable time or fail to fulfil their fixture as arranged by the League, they will be dealt with by the Management Committee as per Appendix (a). A team failing to fulfil a fixture for a second time in the current season will be dismissed from the League and their record expunged. Reasonable time shall be understood to mean that the Kick-Off should not be delayed for more than 20 minutes after the Official time for starting.

(a) Each team in the League shall register its colours with the Secretary. No two Clubs shall play in the same colour. In the event of two teams having the same, the home team must change their colours. A Goalkeeper must wear a shirt or jersey of a distinctive colour from that of his own team and also his opponents.

(b) All Shirts must be clearly numbered and all Players and Substitutes shall wear the numbered shirt that corresponds with their name on the Match Card.

(c) Clubs must append the full names (Surnames and Christian names) of Players on the Match Card. Where necessary, further initials must be used to identify Players with the same names.

(a) The home Club shall pay the Referee his fee and travelling expenses as agreed by the League annually. Where no play is possible owing to cases over which neither Club has control, the Referee, if present, shall be only entitled to half his match fee and travelling expenses. When the Referee declares that the Ground is unplayable due to causes over which neither Club has control, the Clubs may mutually agree to play and the match shall be considered a League fixture.

(b) Any Club paying a Referee more than his just fee or expenses shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and fined.

(a) Match cards are the property of the Mid Ulster Football League and must be returned to any appointed addressee when completed.

(b) Prior to the commencement of the season, all Teams will be given 20 Match cards. Further cards can be supplied on request-free of charge.

(c) Prior to the commencement of the match, both teams must be afforded the opportunity to view their opponents' team sheet. Failure to do so shall be reported in the first instance to any Official Referee who shall note this fact on the Mach card.

(d) In all cases, where Teams have been denied the opportunity to view their opponents' team sheet, they should report this fact, in writing, to the Hon. Secretary within Three (3) days-Sundays not included.

(e) Teams reported under (c) and (d) above will be dealt with by the Management Committee.

(f) Any team making a spurious complaint under (c) and (d) above shall be deemed guilty of Misconduct and dealt with accordingly.

(g) All match cards shall be handed to the Referee prior to the commencement of the match and kept in his possession for the duration of the match.

(h) In the event of the official Referee failing to appear, the Home team shall ensure that the completed match card is forwarded to the appointed addressee within 72 hours of the completion of the match ( Sundays not included). Competing teams must agree the final score of the match with the Referee before leaving the ground. The Referee must append the final score on the match card in the presence of both teams.

(i) The match card must not be altered, amended defaced or falsified in any way. Any Club found guilty of altering, amending, defacing or falsifying any match card, once completed, will be charged with misconduct and dealt with by the Management Committee.

(j) The home team shall be responsible for overseeing that all sections of the match card are completed.

(k) The Management Committee reserve the right to fine ant Team who fail to comply with any sections of this Rule.

In the case of Reserve Teams, no Club shall be allowed to play more than 4 recognised First Eleven players in anyone match. A recognised First Eleven Player is one who has taken part in more than 6 games in the First Eleven during the current season. A Club who has 3 teams shall not play any player for their 3rd Team who, during the current season has played for their 1st Eleven in any Association Football. First Eleven shall also refer to a team competing outside the jurisdiction of this League at a greater or equal standing. Where Clubs play a recognised First team Player or Players in the Reserve team, Clubs must denote this by placing a circle around the number of the Player or Players concerned on the Match Card.

(a) A minimum of 8 member Clubs may sign a requisition calling on the Hon. Secretary to hold a Special General meeting within 28 days. On receiving such a requisition, the Hon. Secretary shall notify, in writing, all Member Clubs of the agenda for such a meeting.

(b) The agenda for any Special meeting shall accompany any such requisition.

(c) No items, saving those on the specified agenda shall be discussed at the Special General Meeting.

(d) All proposals for Rule Changes from Member Clubs shall be made in writing and forwarded to the Hon. Secretary.

(e) No changes of Rules shall be made unless at the Annual General Meetingor at a Special General Meeting called for such a purpose.

(f) Proposals for changes to Rules to be considered at the Annual General Meeting must be placed, in writing, with the Hon. Secretary before April 3rd each year.

(g) The Management Committeeshall have the power to call a Special GeneralMeetingwhich must be convened as in (a) (b) and (c) above.

(h) The Management Committeemay collectively put forward proposals to be considered at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for such a purpose.

(i) The Hon. Secretary will be responsible for circulating a copy of all proposed changes to Rules at least 7 days before the date of any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.

(j) A three quarters majority of those Clubs present and voting is required before any proposed changes to Rules can be implemented.

(a) For all Matches under the jurisdiction of this League, (League and Cup), the Home Team shall be responsible for notifying results (telephone or e-mail) to their appointed Divisional Representative

(b) Results should be notified no later than the times indicated below

(c) Where Clubs/Teams are playing in matches outside the jurisdiction of this League (Friendly matches excepted) then Divisional must be notified Representatives whether your team are home or away.

(d) In the event of 2 Clubs from this League competing against each other in match outside the jurisdiction of this League, then the Home Team shall be responsible for notifying the result.

(e) In the event of your appointed Divisional Representative being non contactable the result should be notified to either the Hon. Secretary or an alternative Divisional Representative.

(f) Clubs/Teams failing to notify the result by the required time will be fined. Latest time for Notifying Results All matches involving Intermediate Clubs-Immediately after the fixture has finished. All other Clubs/Teams -No later than 6.30 on the Saturday or 6.00pm the day following a midweek fixture. NB. Clubs should notify the Press of their Results. The details for such will be given to Clubs on an annual basis.

(a) The Management Committee will meet with the Clubs on a regular basis for the imparting of up to date information and distribution of Fixtures. Unless otherwise notified, these meetings (hereinafter known as League Meetings) will take place on the last Monday of the Month at a venue to be determined by the Management Committee.

(b) In the event of a meeting called on any other day than determined in (a) above, all Clubs should receive at least 14 days notice of the change of date.

(c) All Clubs must attend League meetings and must sign the attendance registers provided by the League. Clubs who fail to sign the Attendance Registers will be deemed to be absent and dealt with accordingly.

(d) At the Commencement of the next Management Committee subsequent to any League meeting, the names of all Clubs who have failed to sign the attendance registers will be read to the Committee. The Committee shall fine all Clubs deemed absent from any League meeting.

(e) The Management Committee shall have the right to fine a Club deemed to be absent from League meetings on more than One occasion throughout the course of any one season under League Rule 3(k).

(f) The Management Committee shall have the right to charge any Club with misconduct should the said Club fail to attend League meetings on 3 consecutive occasions during the course of any one season.

(g) Any Club dealt with under (f) above will be required to be interviewed by the Management Committee as to its suitability to continue in membership of the League for any ensuing season.

(b) Once chosen, the individual concerned should officiate for the duration of the entire fixture unless injury prevents them from doing so. In the event of such injury, the Club who initially won the toss of coin shall continue to have choice of Referee.

(c) The person chosen to Officiate under (a) and (b) above shall have full powers under the Laws of the Game as distributed annually by the Irish Football Association.

(d) No team should seek to impose a match official upon their opponents. Any Club found to have attempted to act in this manner will be charged with misconduct and dealt with by the Management Committee.