1 Ethos
1.1 The Bristol Corinthians League aspires for all teams playing within it to adhere to the ‘Corinthian Spirit.’ Trying to win is perfectly fine, but trying to win by any means necessary is not. In our league the spirit in which the game is played is more important than the result.
1.2 All games should be played in a friendly manner, with a spirit of co-operation between teams. Sportsmanship and good conduct of players and officials are the most highly prized commodities in our league. Players should behave courteously and with good humour towards one another and officials at all times.
1.3 Physical, sexual, racist, sexist or homophobic abuse of opponents and officials is completely unacceptable.
1.4 Violent conduct towards opponents or officials is also completely unacceptable. Players should be in control of themselves at all times, never risking the safety of an opponent through a reckless action during the game.
1.5 If an individual within a team is unable to adhere to these principles it is the responsibility of the manager to deal appropriately with that individual. This could mean a temporary substitution to allow the player to calm down, or a complete removal from the game if necessary.
1.6 Referees and match officials should be treated with the highest degree of respect. Decisions should be accepted without complaint. Officiating a BCL game should be a pleasure for any official, not a chore.
1.7 If a foul is committed then the offending player should always offer an apology to their opponent.
1.8 A list of red line offences will be issued by the committee at the start of each season (see section 8.2). If a team are proven through an independent official’s report to have crossed a red line they will be expelled from the league with immediate effect. Subs will not be refundable in this instance. If the case is inconclusive, a warning will be issued and a second complaint during the same season will lead to immediate expulsion.
1.9 In cases where a complaint is made the committee will investigate and judge each case on its merits in terms of what action is taken.
2.0 Committee members will randomly watch matches to ascertain the BCL ethos is being adhered to.
2 Players
2.1 All players must be:
35 years and over in the 35’s league
45 years and over in the 45’s league
50 years and over in the 50’s league
2.2 Players aged between:
30 and 35 (35’s league)
40 and 45 (45’s league)
45 and 50 (50’s league)
are permissible, up to a maximum of 2 within a team’s matchday squad.
2.3 Players:
under 30 (35’s league)
under 40 (45’s league)
under 50 (50’s league)
are only allowed in exceptional circumstances such as:
2.4 An under aged goalkeeper is permitted if no other is available.
2.5 One son or daughter of a legitimate player per matchday squad is allowed, as the league supports the idea of a parent and their child being able to play in the same team. However, if the youngster is so good that they dominate the game or make a significant difference to the result because of their superior fitness or ability, then the opposition manager can request that they be substituted. If this rule is being invoked the opposition manager MUST be informed beforehand. The above rule cannot be used in Cup matches.
2.6 If there is no other way for a team to raise an XI then it can be mutually agreed between the two managers to allow younger players. This MUST be agreed before match day, not be presented as a fait accompli on the day.
2.7 As a matter of courtesy, opposition managers MUST be made aware of under aged players before the game kicks off.
2.8 There is no limit to the number of subs or substitutions. Substitutions may be made during a break in play at the referee’s discretion on a roll on/roll off basis.
2.9 Mixed teams of men and women are permitted.
3 Matches
3.1 Fixtures will be scheduled by the league and published in the summer. Changes from the original fixture list can be mutually agreed between two clubs within a designated windows, which the committee will set when the fixtures are released. This deadline will usually be before the season begins on the 1st Sunday in September and for post-Christmas fixtures the 1st Sunday in January. After the window has closed, the only reason a fixture may be moved is for a weather-related postponement.
3.2 Once a fixture is scheduled it cannot be rescheduled. If a club pulls out of a fixture or is unable to raise a team on the relevant date, then the opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 walkover.
3.3 Any changes to fixture dates must be communicated via the manager’s WhatsApp group before the scheduled fixture date.
3.4 Weather related postponements should be rearranged at the earliest opportunity, ideally within two weeks of the original fixture.
3.5 The forthcoming Sunday fixtures will be published on the managers WhatsApp group on the preceding Monday. Clubs will then confirm the fixture, venue and kick off time, before the Friday of the game week. Fixtures with full details will then be published.
3.6 All league games must be completed by the end of league season date, which will be published at the beginning of the season. If games are not completed by this date they will be deemed forfeited/void.
3.7 If two teams mutually decide not to play a fixture, both teams will be subject to a 3 point deduction.
3.8 Games are preferably to be played on grass. They may be played on artificial pitches if these are of at least 3G standard or above. Teams may only refuse to play on old style sand based Astroturf.
3.9 The cost of hiring a pitch for a match shall, unless otherwise agreed by both teams, be split 50/50, with the away team ensuring they pay their 50% on the day of the game, in cash or by bank transfer.
3.10 In the event of a late cancellation for a game to be played on a pitch paid for in advance, the club responsible for cancelling the game should bear the full cost of the pitch hire.
3.11 Home sides are to provide a referee, both sides are to provide an assistant referee. Home sides should endeavour to provide a neutral referee. Referees fees are to be split equally between the home and away teams.
3.12 Matches are to be 90 minutes in duration, unless otherwise agreed before kick off by the two managers.
4 Cup Matches Only
4.2 Cup fixtures will be set by the league. The cup dates/cut off dates will be published at the beginning of the season. Teams should make themselves available for cup dates if they wish to participate in the cup competitions.
4.4 Cup fixtures must be completed by the cut off dates set by the league. The League reserves the right to award a walkover where a team has failed to make adequate efforts to play a cup match on time. If two teams are unable to fulfil a tie, whereby neither team is more at fault than the other team, then both teams will be deemed to have forfeited and their place in the cup will be taken by a randomly drawn lucky loser.
4.5 The dates of the cup finals are fixed and cannot be adjusted. If a team cannot make the given date then they are deemed to have forfeited the game.
4.6 Cup games which end in a draw go straight to penalties, no period of extra time is to be played.
4.7 Teams involved in finals day must supply a player squad list to the league committee, for use in the finals day programme.
4.8 Teams involved in the finals are expected to contribute towards the costs of pitch hire and match officials and this will be communicated to teams at the earliest opportunity.
5 Communication & Administration
5.1 Home teams must re-confirm with the opposition that the fixture is going ahead ten days before the match. Confirming kick off time, venue, costs, kit colour.
5.2 Any issues with contacting a particular opponent must be reported to the league at the earliest opportunity.
5.3 All team managers must join the manager’s WhatsApp group. If a manager does not use WhatsApp, then a designated team representative must deputise. Team must also supply the league with an email address.
5.4 Any changes to fixture dates must be notified to the fixtures secretary via the WhatsApp group.
5.5 All match results must be communicated to the league via the managers WhatsApp group at the earliest possible time.
5.6 Attendance at the AGM is mandatory for all teams. The League committee will follow up any non-attendance with the individual teams and assess the absence on a team by team basis. Failure of a team to attend the AGM will likely result in a 3 point deduction, applied to the forthcoming season. A consecutive non-attendance will also likely result in expulsion from the cup competition, applied to the forthcoming season.
5.7 Non Attendance at the AGM three times in a row will result in expulsion from the league.
5.8 All outstanding League subscriptions must be paid by the date agreed at the AGM. Clubs who fail to make this payment by cut-off date will be deemed to have left the League.
6 New Teams
6.1 New teams must submit their request to join the BCL league by the cut-off date displayed on the BCL website. Usually 2 weeks before AGM.
6.2 New teams must provide a point of contact, a team name, a designated age group and details of where they are to play their home games.
6.3 New teams must be represented at the AGM. Non-attendance will result in exclusion from the forthcoming season.
6.4 Over 35’s new teams will be assigned into an Associates League, containing other new teams. If not enough new teams are admitted to form an Associates league then friendly fixtures will be arranged in the first season.
6.5 Over 45’s and over 50’s new teams will be dealt with on a case by case basis, due to the number of new teams in these age brackets.
6.6 Once an initial associate season has been completed by a new team, and the BCL committee are satisfied that the new team has abided by ethos of the league, then the new team will be assigned to a league division based on evidence from games completed.
6.7 If an associate team are deemed not to have met the criteria for entry into the BCL they will be asked to leave.
7 League Structure
7.1 The number of leagues and games will be determined each season. If possible each age group division will be assigned the same amount of fixtures.
7.2 Promotion & Relegation: The number of teams promoted and relegated from leagues each season cannot be set in stone due to new teams entering the league and other teams folding or moving age groups. The committee will do their best to ensure teams are placed in appropriate divisions.
7.4 The league committee will assess each division at the close of the season and assign teams into leagues based on previous season performance
7.5 Teams wishing to move age groups must inform the league. The league will assess the team request based on the current level of the team and the possible impact on the league being applied to join. If the league deem movement into the new age group could negatively impact the league, then the request could be refused.
8 Disciplinary / Red Line Offences
8.1 All reports of red line offences will be investigated by the League Committee. Teams/referees involved will be contacted. If a team are proven through an independent official’s report to have crossed a red line they will be expelled from the league with immediate effect. Subs will not be refundable in this instance. If the case is inconclusive, an official warning will be issued and a second complaint during the same season will lead to immediate expulsion.
8.2 RED LINE OFFENCES:
- Physical violence towards an opponent
- Repeated reckless tackling endangering or resulting in injury to an opponent
- Repeated or continual verbal abuse towards match officials
- Repeated or continual verbal abuse towards an opponent
- Refusal to remove a player on the referee’s instruction
- Failure to pay match costs
- Repeated cancellation of fixtures (2 concessions in one season)
- Blatant/persistent use of underage players
- Blatant/persistent disregard for the father/son rules