Version 1 – 1st August 2012

1. Name and Aim of the Club

The club shall be called Fintan Football Club (the “club”) and shall be duly affiliated to Gloucestershire Football Association (the “GFA”).

The aim of the club is to:

Encourage participation in and enjoyment of association football.
Develop the skills of all participating players and officials.
Develop the fitness of all participating players.
Provide a positive, environment to play developmental football.
Provide a positive and competitive environment to play eleven a side football.
Promote sportsmanship and fair play in all footballers, officials and parents.
Provide exemplary social opportunities to all club members.

2. Club Committee and Management

a) i) The Executive Committee shall consist of the following club officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Senior Secretary, Youth Secretary, Treasurer, Club Welfare Officer, Club Administrator and Social and Fundraising Officer.

ii) Team Managers, Assistant-Managers, a representative from each team and the Club Welfare Officer will form a Sub-Management Committee that can be afforded the power to vote on club matters if a unanimous vote by the Executive Committee supports this.

(b) Each officer and committee member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the next AGM unless otherwise resolved at a Special General Meeting (SGM).

(c) One person may hold no more than two club officer positions at any time.

(d) The club committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the club. They shall have the power to deal with, as it sees fit, any matters arising from the activities of the club.

(e) Decisions of the club committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the club committee meeting, and the decision shell be final.

(f) A simple majority may be decided by holding a secret ballot, which will be conducted by the Chairman.

(g) The Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie.

(h) Meetings of the club committee shall be chaired by the Chairman or in their absence, the Vice-Chairman.

(i) The quorum for the transaction of business of the club committee shall be four.

(j) Decisions of the committee at meetings shall be documented in club minutes to be retained by the Club Secretaries.

(k) Any member of the club committee may call a meeting by giving not less than 14 days’ notice to all members of the committee in writing which is to be distributed via the committee@fintanfc.co.uk mailbox.

(l) The committee shall hold not less than four meetings a year. Executive Committee meetings are to be held on a regular basis in keeping with the football year. This shall be on a three weekly basis unless unanimously agreed by the standing committee.

(m) Any outgoing member of the committee may be re-elected.

(n) Any vacancy on the committee which arises between AGMs may be filled by a candidate proposed by one member and seconded by another. Approval or non-approval will be decided by a simple majority of the remaining committee members. The proposed candidate would not be present at any such meeting and a secret ballot may be held in such circumstances where appropriate. In the event of a tie the Chairman has the casting vote. Club members will be reviewed and are at the discretion of the committee.

(p) Save as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association and the County Association to which the club is affiliated, the club committee shall have the power to decide all questions and disputes arising in respect of any issue concerning the club rules.

(q) All members of the club have the right to attend committee meetings by giving not less than 7 days’ notice to the Senior or Youth Secretary. They will not have voting rights at such meetings.

(r) Other Club volunteers or Club associates may attend committee meetings by invite only. They will not have voting rights at such meetings.

(s) Any resignations from office bearing positions must be reported to the Chairman and Secretary in writing, preferably before the AGM, with resignation taking effect immediately.

3. Membership Requirements of the club

(a) All teams under the banner of the club will be registered with the GFA and be bound by the rules of that organisation.

(b) All member teams will abide by the Fintan FC Mission Statement, Club Constitution and Club Policies.

(c) All member teams will be represented at their respective monthly association meetings. Teams to nominate a representative that will serve that team for one year, from AGM to AGM.

(d) All member teams will have a recognised and qualified “first aider” in attendance at all team functions.

(e) All member teams will have at least one FA Level 1 qualified coach to direct the training and development of the players under their supervision.

(f) Any player who seeks membership with the club must state their intentions to the relevant team manager, sign a club registration form and pay the relevant registration fee.

(g) Club membership is open to everyone from the age of 5 years old and upwards. Membership is to the club only and does not include League Registration or the guaranteed right to play matches. This is the sole responsibility of the manager in charge of the particular team and must be respected.

4. Subscriptions and Fees

The Club Committee shall have the authority to levy subscriptions/training-fees/match-fees from the members as are reasonably necessary to fulfil its objectives.

5. Powers of the Committee

The management of all Club assets and property shall be invested in the committee. It shall have the powers to:

(a) Appoint such sub-committees as may be necessary, from time to time, and shall receive reports and act on recommendations from such sub-committees. Should an outgoing committee have decided to constitute a social committee to manage fund raising and social functions, then members of that committee shall be re-elected at the AGM. This committee shall comprise a minimum of three members.

(b) Declare a seat vacant should a member absent him or herself from three consecutive meetings without satisfactory explanation or, in the view of the committee; be guilty of conduct contrary to the interests of the club.

(c) Cancel the membership of any member for misconduct. No fees will be refunded.

6. Registration and Expulsion

(a) A member shall cease to be a member of the club if, and from the date on which, he/she gives notice to the committee of their resignation.

(b) 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. This must be a majority vote of present committee members. There shall be no appeal procedures.

(c) A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share of any, of the club property. If this member is a manager or coach of a club’s team(s), they will have no right or permission to transfer, uplift or attempt to persuade the existing team to leave alongside them. This is backed by G.F.A legislation and those who fail to comply with this rule faces disciplinary action from the Gloucestershire F.A.

7. Annual General Meeting

(a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than 30th June each year. At least seven days’ notice will be given to all player members and/or in local publications and/or in such other manner as the committee shall decide suitable.

(b) All members shall be allowed to attend and all adult members during the year under review shall be entitled to vote. Votes may only be cast by those present.

(c) The business of the A.G.M. shall be:-

7.1 To receive the Annual report from the outgoing Chairman and Secretaries.
7.2 Receive the Treasurers Statement of Accounts.
7.3 Elect the Club Officials and Committee.

(Nominations for committee members should be notified to the Chairman in advance of the meeting)
7.4. Fix membership subscriptions.
7.5. Receive, discuss and adopt, if vote so decides, amendments to the Club Rules and Constitution.
(Alterations to the Constitution require 2/3rd majority vote)
7.6. Discuss any other business.

8. Extraordinary General Meeting

An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Club Committee or by the Secretary on receipt of a written request by a minimum of 5 members. All persons allowed to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting shall be allowed to attend and vote at a Extraordinary General Meeting.

9. Discipline

(a) All Member teams, officials and players shall accept the disciplinary procedures adopted by the GFA and other relevant Leagues or Associations.

(b) The Club shall accept responsibility for the conduct and behaviour of all member teams, officials, players and other individuals associated with the Club. However, any fine incurred by an individual is the responsibility of the individual. Non-payment within 14 days will lead to suspension from the club.

(c) The Member teams shall agree to abide by the decisions of the Executive Committee.

(d) A disciplinary panel will be set up, as and when necessary. The members to be decided at an emergency Executive Committee meetings, but must be headed by the Chairman.

10. Fines/Cautions/Dismissals

The Club abides by the rules and practices stated in the FA regulations. It is the policy of the Club to abide by the referee decisions in assigning cautions. The Club will not dispute these decisions, nor is the Club responsible for the payment of fines. The responsibility for the payment of those fines rests solely with the offending player and his/her parents/guardians. Any fines not paid within 14 days of the offence, will result in the player being suspended from playing matches until the fine is paid, and registered with the Gloucestershire Football Association as ‘Sine Die’.

11. Finance

(a) The Committee shall have cause, through the Treasurer, to keep proper books of accounts which shall be presented at each Committee meeting. Auditing of the books shall be undertaken every 3 years or more frequently at the discretion of the Committee. All expenditure must be authorised by the Committee. Cheques must be signed by two officers authorized by the Committee.

(b) It is the responsibility of the Youth and Senior Secretary to ensure that invoices are paid on time for the section of the club that they are responsible for.

(c) Any expenditure incurred by the club below £20 must be first agreed by both the Chairman and Treasurer before ordering or purchase. The receipt and invoice must be lodged with the Treasurer. Any expenditure incurred by the club, to the value of £20 or higher, must be agreed by the entire committee at a meeting before order or purchase. If agreed, the receipt and invoice must be lodged with the Treasurer.

(d) An Annual Financial Statement must be prepared and presented to the members at the AGM in such form as shall be published by The Football Association from time to time.

12. Club Colours

The Club colours are Red and Black. Any change to this shall be decided by the Club Committee.

13. Club Playing Ground

The Club’s playing grounds are All Saints Academy, King George V Playing Field, St Marks and Springfield Park. Any change to this shall be decided by the Club Committee.

14. Transfers

Transfer of members to or from other clubs must be undertaken in accordance with the appropriate League rules. This process is the responsibility of the individual to ensure the transfer paperwork is transported to and filled out by Club Secretaries in an adequate and timely fashion. It is then the responsibility of the ‘receiving team’ Club Secretary to countersign and process the transfer through the correct and official channels at the relevant league/association.

15. Insurance

(a) The Club must hold Public Liability Insurance.

(b) Whilst the club holds this insurance, each member of the club is liable for their own health and safety unless there is proof of serious neglect that results in serious injury. Players must seek additional personal insurance for personal injuries incurred during activity with the club, as well as travelling to and from venues.

(c) Insurances are invalid unless policy holders abide by safety regulations that are in place by the Football Association. This is directly linked to the use of shin-pads during training and matches throughout the Club.

16. Club Teams

The AGM shall appoint a club member to be responsible for each of the club’s football teams (ie. manager). The appointed members shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team. The appointed members shall present to the club committee at its last meeting prior to an AGM a verbal summary on the activities of the team or a written report if they are unable to attend the meeting.

17. Child Protection

(a) In accordance with G.F.A rules, the club will have a ‘Club Welfare Officer’.

(b) This officer will be the first point of contact regarding any Child Protection issues.

(c) All managers, coaches and officials are to be CRB checked in accordance with GFA regulations.

18. Dissolution

(a) A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting and shall be carried by a unanimous vote.

(b)The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the
members of the Club Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.

(c) Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to another Club, a Competition, the Parent County Association or The FA for use by them for related community sports.

19. Interpretation of the Constitution

In interpreting the terms of the constitution, the decision of the properly elected Chairman shall be final.

20. Constitution Change

The committee can amend the constitution as necessary at any committee meeting. Each member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority.