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THE SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP

  
 

NEWS
 
         
 

RULES
NAME 1. The Competition shall be called "The Leeds & District Football Association Senior Challenge Cup Competition". 
CONTROL  2. The Council of the Leeds and District Football Association, through its Cup Committee, shall have the entire control and management of the Competition. Any question relating to the interpretation of the rules of this Competition shall be referred to the Committee. The Cup Committee shall have power to appoint a Sub-Committee to consider and deal with any matters concerning this Competition. 
CLUBS TO COMPETE 3. The Cup shall be competed for annually by Clubs fully affiliated to the Leeds and District Football Association and selected by the Committee to take part unless exempted. Clubs participating in the Challenge Cup Competition of the West Riding County Football Association shall not be compelled to join this Competition. Applications for exemption from the Competition shall be made in writing to the Competition Secretary, not later than 1st August, and shall state the grounds on which application is made. 
ENTRANCE FEE 4.  Each competing Club shall pay an entrance fee of �20.00 to the Treasurer of the Association not later than 15th October or will be subject to a fine of �10.00. 
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS 5. A player shall not be eligible to play for more than one Club in the Competition. Each individual must have been a recognised playing member of the Club for which he competes at least seven days prior to the date fixed for the game, but no player may become qualified after the 1st March of the current season. A playing member is, one who has either played for the Club in the current season in a game played under the rules of a Competition recognised by this Association, or who has, in writing notified the Secretary of the Association that he is a playing member of the Club. The Secretary shall, acknowledge in writing receipt of such notification. In the case of matches played in September, players who are, before the scheduled date of the match, correctly registered for the team with a recognised and appropriate League, will be eligible to play in this Competition. A player who has been suspended may play in postponed ties after the term of suspension has expired. In all ties, unless the prior consent of the Committee is obtained or satisfactory reason is given, each Club shall field its strongest available team. A player shall not be eligible to play in the Semi-final or Final game, unless he has played in a previous Round. A player must have played in at least three League or Cup Competition games recognised by this Association, for the team he represents in this Competition before 1st March (with the exception of a reserve team player playing for the Senior team). Any team adjudged by the Committee to have played an ineligible player, may be expelled from the Competition and be fined a sum not exceeding �50.00. 
Where the team is a reserve side of a team playing in a Senior Competition a player having played for the Club in the Lower Competition would be eligible to play for that Club in the Senior Competition, having then played in the Senior Competition, the player shall not be eligible to play again in the Lower Competition. A player having played in the Lower Competition shall not be eligible to play in the Senior Competition for another Club. A player having played in the Senior Competition is Cup Tied and shall not be eligible to play for any other team or Club in the Senior or Lower Cup Competitions. 
A Club may at its discretion, at any time during the game use up to a maximum of three substitute players out of five nominated substitute players, except to replace player(s) who have been suspended from the game by the Referee. A substitution can only be made when play has stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. The substitute players shall be nominated to the Referee and the opposing team before the start of the game, their full names must also be included on the Official List of Players and on the match Result Sheet. A substitute, who is not used, is entitled to play for another Club in the same season, subject to the provision stated elsewhere in this Rule. 
EXEMPTION FROM ROUNDS
 6. The Committee shall have power to exempt such Clubs as it may deem fit from taking part in any of the Rounds of the Competition. 
THE DRAW 7. The Clubs in all rounds shall be drawn in pairs. These pairs shall compete, and the winners shall be drawn and compete in the same manner, and this procedure shall be continue until the end of the Competition, when the winning Club shall hold the Cup for one season. The ties shall be drawn, the dates fixed, and the matches played as the Committee may determine The Competition Secretary shall, within fourteen days of the draw, notify each Club of the name of the Club against which it is drawn, the date on which the match is to be played and the time of the kick-off. Clubs must acknowledge in writing by first class post the receipt of the draw. Any Club failing to acknowledge by the date stipulated will be fined �10.00. 
FAILURE TO PLAY 8. A Club failing to play in any tie without showing sufficient cause, may be adjudge to have been guilty of serious misconduct, and shall be dealt with under Rule 11 of the Association. 
WHERE PLAYED 9.  In each tie the game shall be played on the ground of the Club first drawn unless otherwise mutually arranged, and the consent of the Committee obtained, except as provide for in Cup Rule 10. Where there is a clash of fixtures on one ground between matches in this Competition, the match shown first in the official draw shall have preference, the other Club being responsible for providing an alternative ground. The Club staging the tie must provide suitable dressing accommodation which must include adequate washing and bathing facilities The Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponents' ground if it is satisfied, that under the circumstances, such action is warranted. 
Semi-final and Final ties shall be played on grounds selected by the Committee. Matches in the Senior Challenge Cup Competition shall have precedence over matches in the District Cup Competition where fixture clashes occur. 
When the Association plays its Cup Finals at Elland Road, the matches shall be decided if the scores are level at full time, by a Penalty Competition. No extra time shall be played 
UNSUITABLE GROUNDS 10. If the ground of the Club having choice of ground is considered unsuitable for a cup-tie, the opponents may appeal to the Committee within seven days of the receipt of the official notification of the draw. Such appeal shall be made in writing, and sent by recorded delivery to the Secretary of the Association, and at the same time, a copy shall be sent recorded delivery to the Club against whom the appeal is made. The appeal shall be accompanied by a fee of �20.00, which may be returned at the discretion of the Committee. If the appeal is sustained, the Committee may order the match to be played on the ground of the appealing Club or on a neutral ground. 
GROUNDS 11. The dimensions and marking out of the ground shall be in accordance with Law 1 of the Football Association. The field of play must be kept clear of spectators, and goal nets must, be provided and be fully secured. The home Club shall be responsible for the observance of this rule, and where adequate arrangements are not made it shall be liable to a fine no exceeding �10.00 and to disqualification from the Competition. The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play, and the Referee shall notify the captains if he intends to report the football(s) as being unsuitable. Any offending Club shall be liable to a fine not exceeding �10.00. 
DIRECTIONS AND CLUB COLOURS 12. The home Club must send, in writing, at least five clear days before the date of the match, travelling directions to the visitors and match officials, and also confirm their colours. Where the colours of the two competing Clubs are similar, the visiting team must change. In Semi-final and Final ties where the colours clash, both teams must change. Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from the other players, and will not be permitted to wear black or dark blue jerseys. Clubs must wear stockings, which are distinguishable from those of their opponents. The backs of all shirts must be numbered consecutively 2 to 11, substitutes shirts shall be numbered 12 to 17, and with each number having a minimum height of 19cm., any offending Club shall be fined �10.00. 
DURATION OF MATCH 13. Except as otherwise provided in this rule, the duration of each match shall be 90 minutes. Clubs may agree to play not less than 70 minutes. Semi-final and Final ties shall be of 90 minutes' duration. All matches shall be played in halves of equal duration. The half time interval shall be 10 minutes and this may only be altered with the consent of the Referee. When a match has ended in a draw, an extra half-hour must be played. 
When a match has resulted in a draw after extra time, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with The International Board recommended procedure. 
The Cup Committee shall have power to deal with any unfinished match as it deems fit, according to the circumstances. 
REARRANGED TIES 14. Matches postponed, or abandoned, shall be rearranged on a date to be fixed by the Committee (except as provided for in Cup Rule 13). 
REFEREES AND ASSISTANT REFEREES 15. Referees shall be appointed to all matches by the Committee. Where the Referee fails to appear, or is unable to continue with his duties, both Clubs must agree in writing to a replacement Referee, who shall be regarded as the official Referee and shall be entitled to receive the Referee's Fee but not travelling expenses. In all rounds before the Semi-final, each Club shall provide one Club Assistant Referee or in default shall be fined �10.00, unless the Committee deems it advisable to appoint neutral Assistant Referees subject to the Annual approval of the West Riding County Football Association. Where Assistant Referees are appointed, both clubs shall share their fees and expenses equally. The home team shall be responsible for the full payment of the Match Officials fees and expenses; these monies shall be paid to the Match Officials after the game, in their dressing room. In all matches, the Club on whose ground the match is played, shall provide two approved clean and distinctive Assistant Referees flags, red and yellow in colour for the use of either Club Assistant Referees or neutral Assistant Referees. A Club in default shall be fined �10.00. Referees shall be paid, in addition to travelling expenses (by public transport or 20p per mile by the shortest route if travelling by private car) �18.00 in all rounds up to the Semi-Finals and �20.00 for the Semi-Finals and Final. If they so desire the Referee and Assistant Referees in the Final may be given mementoes, instead of a fee. Fees for Assistant Referees, where appointed by the Committee, shall be half of the fee paid to the Referee, in addition to travelling expenses. Where a game is not played, the Referee and Assistant Referees shall be paid half the fee plus travelling expenses except when the failure to play is due to the default of a competing Club, then full the defaulting club shall pay fee plus travelling expenses. The payment of these fees shall be the responsibility of the home Club. Referees and Assistant Referees appointed by the Committee shall in all matches wear a plain black shirt with a white collar and cuffs, plain black shorts and black stockings with a white turnover top. 
LATE STARTS 16. Teams not on the ground within 30 minutes after the time fixed for starting, shall forfeit the match unless they submit in writing a satisfactory explanation to the Competition Secretary. within two days (Sundays not included) of the date fixed for the match. The Referee shall report late starts. The Captain of the team at fault must he informed before the match commences. Clubs held responsible for late starts shall be fined �5.00 for a period no exceeding ten minutes, and �1.00 for each additional minute beyond that period. Late starts in Semi-finals and Finals, and where any match is delayed more than 30 minutes, shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Committee. 
LIST OF PLAYERS 17. The Secretaries of the competing Clubs shall exchange written lists on the official form listing their full team colours and giving names in full, of players taking part in the match including substitutes as nominated at least thirty minutes before the match commences; a copy of these lists must also be handed to the Referee. Both competing teams and the match Referee shall send these team lists, to the Competition Secretary, to be received within two days of the match. In Semi-finals and Finals, lists shall be handed also to the Official of the Association in charge of the match. 
Any Club failing to comply with the provisions of this rule shall be liable to a fine of �10.00.
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS 18. The Secretary of each Club shall send by first class post the result on the result sheet supplied, which must be fully completed including the full names of the players and substitute who played, to the Competition Secretary so that it is received within two days of the match (Sundays not included). The home Club must telephone the result to the, Competition Secretary within three hours of the conclusion of the match. Referees shall send notice of the result together with a report of any irregularities, to the Competition Secretary, to reach him within two days of the match being played (Sundays not included). Any Club failing to comply with any part of this rule shall be liable to a fine of �10.00 in the first occasion and the Committee shall deal with any subsequent offences. 
PROCEEDS 19. In all cup ties (with the exception of those played on neutral grounds) where gate money or a collection is taken, the proceeds, except as otherwise provided for in these rules, shall be equally divided between the two competing Clubs after paying the advertising, ground and other expenses of the match, and travelling expense of the eleven players plus five substitutes of the visiting Club. If the receipts are not sufficient to cover the entire expenses of the match, the advertising, ground and other expenses, except travelling expenses, shall be a first charge. Visiting Clubs shall be entitled to charge not more than the cost of the cheapest recognised form of transport to the ground from their Headquarters. The home Club shall provide for the sale of tickets and the visiting Club for checking the sale. The expenses of the sellers and checkers shall not be a charge on the gate. In the event of gate receipts not being sufficient to cover expenses, the Club having choice of the ground, (except the visitors� travelling expenses), shall pay these. In any match ordered to be replayed in consequence of a breach of Rule, the Club at fault shall not receive any share of the proceeds of such replayed match without the consent of the Committee, and such consent shall only be given under special circumstances. If consent is not given, this Association shall take the share. The Cup Committee shall have power to make grants to Clubs who reach the Final, from the proceeds of the Competition. 
The cost of the prizes, as provided for in Cup Rule 20 shall be a charge on the Semi-final and Final tie receipts. 
PRIZES 20. The Association shall present suitable prizes to the players/team managers in the Final tie. When a player is sent off the field of play for misconduct in the Final tie, the prize to which he may be entitled could be withheld. 
PROTESTS 21. Protests relating to any violation of the Cup Rules or Rules of the Association must be lodged by the protesting Club with the Secretary of the Association within three days (Sundays not included) of the date of playing the tie from which the protest arises. A deposit of �20.00, which shall be forfeited if the Committee considers the protest trivial or groundless, must accompany the Protest. Protests shall be made in writing, and sent to the Secretary of this Association by registered letter or recorded delivery, and at the same time, a copy shall be sent by registered letter or recorded delivery to the Club against whom the protest is made. Each Club may support its own case by witnesses. Any objection relative to ground, goal posts, bars, or other appurtenances of the game must be made to the Referee and to the Captain of the opposing team, in writing, at least 15 minutes before the time fixed for the kick- off. If possible, the fault must be remedied. If the Committee subsequently discovers that any Rule has, in its opinion, been violated by mutual arrangement between Clubs or otherwise, it shall be in the power of the Committee to deal with the offenders at its discretion, without any formal protest having been made. The Committee shall have the power to compel the protesting Club to pay such expenses of the Club protested against, and the cost of the hearing as may be deemed fit and the Committee may order any Club engaged in a protest to pay a part or all of the expenses incurred. Once lodged, a protest shall not be withdrawn, except by consent of the Committee. Where the Rules of the Competition and the Laws of the Game are the same, the decision of the Referee shall be final and the Committee shall consider no protest. 
APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS 22. Any appeal against a decision of the Committee shall be made in accordance with the Rules of the West Riding County Football Association. 
GUARANTEE TO RETURN TROPHY 23. Upon receiving the Cup, the Club winning the Competition shall complete and return to the Treasurer of the Association a document to the following effect and signed by three persons whose names shall be previously submitted to and approved by the Committee: "We, A.B., C.D. and E.F., members of and representing the     ............................................. Club, which has now been declared to have won the Leeds & District Football Association Senior Cup and the same having been delivered to us by the said Association. We do hereby on behalf of the said Club, individually and collectively engage to return the same to the Treasurer of this Association, on or before the first Thursday of February next or in default shall be fined �25. We shall return the Cup in good order and condition, and in accordance with the conditions of the annexed rules, to which also we have subscribed our respective names. We fully accept that if the said Cup is destroyed or damaged by fire, or by any other cause, or lost while under our care, we agree to refund to the Association the amount of its replacement value or the cost of thorough repair." Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall return the Cup immediately to the Association, and such failure shall not relieve the Club of its responsibility for the safekeeping of the Cup while it is in the Club's possession. 
PENALTY FOR VIOLATING RULES 24. Except where a rule states a penalty for infringement, the Committee shall have power to deal with any offence at its discretion. All fines shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Association within fourteen days of the fine being notified to the offending Club otherwise the fine shall be doubled and failure to pay shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Committee. (See Association Rule 15.)
OTHER MATTERS 25. The Committee shall have power to deal with any matter relating to the Competition not provided for in these Rules. 
NOTE: NOTE. For the purpose of interpretation of the first sentence of Rule No. 5, the Senior Challenge Cup Competition and the Leeds & District F.A. District Cup Competition shall be deemed to be one Competition.