DPL Handbook 2024 2025 : simplebooklet.com

DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 7 OFFICERS PAST & PRESENT President Ald B C Hunt (1957 – 1956) dec. Mr J Cruickshank (2002 – 2002) dec. Mr R E Maidment (1965 – 1973) dec. Mr S Wallis (2002 – 2005) dec. Mr T R Williams (1973 – 1987) dec. Mr A S Burt (2005 – 2010) Mr A P Humphries (1987 – 1998) Mr M Mock (2010 – 2015) Mr M Ewings (1998 – 2000) Mr P Gallop (2015 -) Life Vice President Mr G G Cooles (1973) dec. Mr G A Theobald (2009) Mr R E Maidment (1973) dec. Mr A S Burt (2010) Mr W G Mullins (1974) dec. Mr M Mock (2013) Mr L C Parker (1976) dec. Mr T Schorah (2014) Mr J Cruickshank (1982) dec. Mr R Frear (2016) Mr R R Mitchener (1984) dec. Mr B D A Parker (2016) Mr T R Williams (1987) dec. Mr G J P Kilshawe-Fall (2020) Mr A P Humphries (1992) Mrs H Billimore (2021) Mr S Wallis (1997) dec. Mr P Gallop (2022) Mr T Dufall (2002) dec. Secretary & Treasurer Secretary Mr J J Hodges (1957 – 1968) dec. Mr P S Hough (1982 – 1989) Mr W G Mullins (1968 - 1974) dec. Mr G A Theobald (1989 – 2009) Mr J Cruickshank (1974 - 1982) dec. Mr G J P Kilshawe-Fall (2009 - 2015) Mrs H Billimore (2015 – 2017) Mr G J P Kilshawe-Fall (2017 -)

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 8 Chair Mr S A Fordham (1957 – 1958) dec. Mr L C Parker (1977 – 1979) dec. Lt Col W R Rowley OBE (1958 – 1960) dec. Mr R E Maidment (1979 – 1981) dec. Mr L C Parker (1960 – 1962) dec. Mr R R Mitchener (1981 - 1983) Mr R E Maidment (1962 – 1964) dec. Mr G Pike (1983 – 1984) Mr W G Mullins (1964 - 1966) dec. Mr A P Humphries (1984 – 1987) Mr H S Christopher (1966 – 1967) dec. Mr R H Green (1987 – 1992) Mr T R Williams (1967 - 1969) dec. Mr R E Maidment (1992 – 2001) dec. Mr J Cruickshank (1969 - 1971) dec. Mr A S Burt (2001 - 2005) Mr T R Williams (1971 - 1973) dec. Mr M Mock (2005 – 2010) Mr D Cutler (1973 – 1975) dec. Mr G A Theobald (2010 – 2015) Mr R E Maidment (1975 – 1977) dec. Mr M Mock (2015 -) Treasurer Mr J D Beasley (1963 – 1965) dec. Mr J Cruickshank (1982 - 1999) dec. Mr S A Fordham (1965 – 1966) dec. Mr B D A Parker (1999 - 2016) Mr W G Mullins (1966 - 1968) dec. Mr E Case (2016 -) Registrations Mrs H Billimore (2017 – 2024) Mr J Fancy (2024 -) Referee Appointments Mr J Fancy (2017 -) Welfare Officer Mr J Fancy (2022 -)

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 9 CLUBS IN MEMBERSHIP Allendale FC 1995 - 2002 Balti Sports FC 2015 - Blandford United FC 1957 - 1963 1967 - Bluebird Sports FC 1961 - 1965 Bournemouth Electric FC 2024 - Bournemouth Sports FC (F/H/I) 1990 - 2007 2018 - Bournemouth Water Co FC 1966 - 1989 Bridport FC 1957 - 1988 1991 - 1997 1998 - Chickerell United FC 2008 - 2013 Cobham Sports FC (E/G/J) 1958 - 1960 1977 - Corfe Castle FC 2018 - 2022 Corfe Mullen FC (F) 1969 - 1973 Cranborne FC 1989 - 1993 2004 - 2017 Crewkerne Town FC 1978 - 1982 Dorchester Sports FC 2016 - Dorchester Town FC 1960 - 1968 1969 - 2007 Dorchester United FC 1969 - 1974 2003 - 2007 Gillingham Town FC 1970 - 2008 2016 - 2021 Hamworthy Recreation FC (D) 1992 - 2022 2024 - Hamworthy United FC (C) 1957 - 2004 2005 - 2018 2021 - Herston Rovers FC (B) 1961 - 1966 Holt United FC 1978 - 1996 2001 - 2014 2015 - Longfleet St Mary’s FC 1957 - 1981 Lytchett Red Triangle FC 1997 - 1998 Mere Town FC 2013 - 2018 Milborne Port FC 2017 - 2018 Parley Sports FC (H) 1962 - 2000 2009 - 2019 Poole Borough FC 2002 – 2015 2021 - Poole Town FC 1960 – 1964 1971 – 1974 1979 - 1995 Portland United FC 1957 – 1976 1977 – 2001 2006 – 2015 2018 - R.A.S.C FC 1957 - 1959 R.A.C Bovington FC 1965 - 1967 R.E.M.E FC 1959 - 1960 37 GW Regt R.A FC 1960 - 1961 Royal Signals FC 1967 - 1968 Shaftesbury FC 1957 - 1960 1976 - 2004 2011 - 2016 2017 - 2023 Sherborne Town FC 1963 - 2006 2009 - South Cheriton FC 2015 - 2016

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 10 Stourpaine FC 2000 - 2005 Sturminster Marshall FC 1965 - 1976 1996 - 1999 2006 - 2012 2014 - 2015 2022 - 2024 Sturminster Newton FC 1957 – 1960 1972 – 2011 2016 - 2024 Swanage Town & Herston FC (B) 1957 - 2000 2002 – 2003 2004 - Tintinhull FC 2011 - 2015 Trinidad OB FC (C) 1965 - 1970 Vickers FC (A) 1965 - 1966 Wareham Rangers FC 1957 – 1968 1971 – 2006 2012 - 2022 Westland Sports FC 1981 – 2012 2014 - Weymouth FC 1957 - 1958 1962 – 1969 1971 – 1977 1987 – 1996 2009 - 2016 Weymouth Sports FC 1993 - 2003 Whitehead Sports FC (A) 1957 - 1958 1960 - 1965 Wimborne Town FC 1957 – 1958 1973 – 1976 1982 – 1989 2022 - Wincanton Town FC 2007 - 2013 Witchampton United FC 1999 - 2002 Yeovil St Johns FC 1960 - 1962 Yeovil Town FC 1961 - 1966 Current Members of the DPL A Changed name to Vickers FC 1965 - 1966 B Amalgamated to form Swanage Town & Herston FC 1966 - 1967 C Amalgamated with Hamworthy United FC 1970 - 1971 D Changed name from Hamworthy Engineering FC 2000 - 2001 E Changed name from Flight Refuelling FC 2001 - 2002 F Amalgamated to form Bournemouth Sports CM FC 2006 - 2007 G Changed name from Cobham Sports FC 2010 - 2011 H Amalgamated to form Bournemouth Sports Parley FC 2019 - 2020 I Changed name to Bournemouth Sports FC 2020 - 2021 J Changed name to Cobham Sports FC 2024 - 2025

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 12 GUIDANCE NOTES FOR CLUB SECRETARIES Please ensure that ALL correspondence is sent to the League General Secretary, unless otherwise instructed. Please advise immediately of any changes to address, telephone numbers etc, regarding your Club so that the League Handbook can be updated. Avoid the imposition of League Fines / Points deductions by observing the following. • Ensure that you are familiar with the Rules of the League & Cup Competition. • Ensure that you reply to ALL League correspondence within the required timescale. • Ensure that ALL invoices are paid to the Treasurer within the required Timescale. • Ensure that ALL your players are Registered correctly with the League. And the WGS. • Ensure that your Club is represented at AGM’s / SGM’s. • When playing at “Home” you must advise the “Away” Club & the Match Officials of the Match details including if After Match Refreshments are supplied at least 5 Working Days before the game. • When playing “Away” you must respond to the “Home” Clubs Match detail correspondence within 2 Days indicating if you will be or will not be attending After Match Hospitality if offered. • Start the Match with a Full Team. • Be ready for Kick Off at the appointed time. • Ensure the Team Sheets containg the list of Players, Substitutes and Officials are exchanged at least 30 minutes prior to kick off. • Both Clubs to Text the Half Time Score Only to the League’s Press Officer within 15 Minutes conclusion of the 1st Half – (Do not text the HT Score to the FA FULL TIME SMS service.) • Both Clubs to Text the Full Time Score Only to the prescribed FA FULL TIME SMS service within 30 Minutes conclusion of the game. • Both Clubs to Text the Names of their Goal scorers Only (in order) to the Leagues Press Officer within 15 minutes’ conclusion of the game played. • The Club Secretary, or nominated person shall E-MAIL ONLY, Telephone messages are not permitted, the Leagues Press Officer by 3.00 pm the day after the match with a copy of the Match Report Pro Forma (available from the Leagues Web Site) filled out as requested, and Photographs where possible, unless a Club Match report has been submitted in its place. • The Competition must receive within 2 days of the date played (Sundays Excepted) the result of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner on the FA FULL TIME Site. • Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Competition League General Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Officer, the Secretary of the opposing Club, the Match Officials and the League Press Officer and fill out a Postponement Form • NO application for a free date will be granted unless by Special Permission from the League Management Committee and must be submitted via written correspondence only. You must give a MINIMUM of 6 weeks Notice. • Clubs without a published fixture may still receive a fixture at a later date up to and including the closing date for the season as agreed at the AGM. OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE Players, Managers & Club Officials have the responsibility to ensure that the image of the League and the National Game are not tarnished either by the use of, or acceptance of, any Offensive, Racist or Homophobic language.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 13 GUIDANCE ON PITCH INSPECTIONS In line with League Rule 23 D The FA recommends the following procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions. Each Club must take every precaution to ensure that its ground is in a fit playing condition. When the regional weather conditions are known to be extreme (e.g., prolonged Rain, Clear Water Logging, Severe frost, or heavy snow) then the game can be postponed at the discretion of the Competition following consultation with the General League Secretary. League Rules will apply; this is not an issue for the Matchday Referee. Should a Competition decide to agree to an early postponement under such circumstances there will be no requirement for a pitch inspection. In ALL other circumstances and subject to the time and travelling distance, the Match Referee should be called in to decide. In the event of the Match Referee being unable to carry out the inspection, the Home Club must select an alternative Level 5 or above Graded Referee who is Independent of the Home Club. Should it not be possible to identify an appropriate Match Official, the Appointing Authority will determine a suitable person to carry out the inspection. If a specific League Rule exists where the timing of a pitch inspection is stated, this will apply but is a League issue only. Prior to reaching a decision the Referee who is making the inspection must: 1. Consult with the Match Referee prior to the inspection. 2. Consult with the Match Referee during / after the inspection to mutually agree on a decision prior to notifying the Home Club Secretary or Club Chairman and the General League Secretary (or Chair if the Secretary is not available). Prior to reaching a decision the Referee who is making the inspection should consider the following: 1. Whether or not the ground (playing area) is dangerous (e.g. Clear Waterlogging, ice / frost) 2. Whether or not that the spectator standing areas are dangerous (e.g. ice / frost) 3. Whether or not conditions are or could turn farcical 4. The views of the Home Club Groundsman in terms of local knowledge and draining capabilities in the event of standing water 5. The existing condition of the playing surface in conjunction with the prevailing weather conditions as previously confirmed with the local weather authority. The inspecting Referee should be seen to be active! Adhere to deadlines, keep all informed; especially the away Team Manager if he is on route and can be contactable (home club will have the Secretary’s mobile number); If they are within a reasonable time/distance from the ground it is only courtesy that the Referee awaits their arrival. Inspect thoroughly! A professional approach must be adopted when carrying out an inspection. It is not acceptable for a Referee just to take a cursory look at the field of play in normal dress (i.e. Suit / Blazer etc.). Sports kit should be worn, along with appropriate footwear (i.e. football boots). All areas of the pitch should be inspected. A ball should be used to determine whether the surface is playable (for movement and bounce), if appropriate, playing staff may be able to assist you in this practical session.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 14 Fog creates its own problems. A Referee should use perspectives from ground level and the back of a stand – check forecast (remember that there is a responsibility to paying spectators) When dealing with such elements as frost or ice – remember that the highest temperature of the day is usually around mid-day. Get a forecast, if necessary, of the projected temperature for the time when the match is due to conclude. The manpower available to the Home Club to carry out any necessary work to make the ground playable. The time the visiting Club are due to commence their journey. Liaise with Managers BUT the decision as to whether the match is played is the Referee’s. If after consultation with the Match Referee, the ground is declared fit and the away Club instructed to travel, then only in exceptional circumstances should the Match Referee reverse the decision. If an early inspection has not been carried out and the Match Referee arrives at the ground to find the playing conditions in doubt due to unexpected deterioration in the weather, he should first consider as many of the above points before committing himself to a decision. In the event of a pitch inspection being carried out by a Referee other than the Match Referee, Referees so called to inspect a ground may claim reasonable expenses in line with League Rules. If the appointed Match Officials have reported to the ground, they are entitled to their expenses as per League Rules if the match is not played.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 17 BOURNEMOUTH ELECTRIC FC BALTI SPORTS FC Secretary: Phil Thorpe 64, Edifred Road Bournemouth , Dorset. BH9 3PD Telephone: Mobile: 07503 175472 E-mail: phil.thorpe52@gmail.com Colours: H A Chair: Poria Abrahim 6, Howard Close Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 3HY Telephone: Mobile: 07940 216779 E-mail: email@poria.me Ground: Bournemouth Electric Sports & Social Club Broadway Lane Bournemouth, Dorset. BH8 0AA Telephone: 01202 515440 Info: 6.30pm Ko - Tues Midweek – NO Floodlights ANPR – Car Parking on site - You will need to register your Car Registration plate details in the Clubhouse BOURNEMOUTH SPORTS FC BALTI SPORTS FC Secretary: Adam Janes 8, Wyndham Road, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 5QB Telephone: Mobile: 07450 428279 E-mail: adultsecretary@bournemouthsportsfc.co.uk Colours: H A Chair: Steve Main 21, Dudsbury Avenue, Ferndown, Dorset. BH22 8DT Telephone: Mobile: 07711 149912 E-mail: steve.main@bournemouthsportsfc.co.uk Ground: BU Sports Campus Chapel Gate, East Parley, Hampshire. BH23 6BL Telephone: 01202 581933 Info: 6.30pm Ko - Weds Midweek – NO Floodlights

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 21 POOLE BOROUGH FC Secretary: Sara Mitchell 55 Lockyers Way, Lytchett Matravers, Dorset. BH16 6LY Telephone: Mobile: 07449 172280 E-mail: saramitchell1970@live.co.uk Colours: H A Chair: Ian Mitchell 55 Lockyers Way, Lytchett Matravers, Dorset. BH16 6LY Telephone: Mobile: 07411 381675 E-mail: ianmitchell63@live.co.uk Ground: Turlin Moor Recreation Ground Blandford Road, Poole, Dorset. BH16 5BW Telephone: 07411 381675 Info: 6.30pm Ko - Wed Midweek – NO Floodlights PORTLAND UNITED FC - Reserves Secretary: David Ring 8 High Trees, Broadmayne, Dorchester, Dorset. DT2 8ER Telephone: 01305 853163 Mobile: 07425 161539 E-mail: secretary@portlandunitedfc.uk Colours: H A Chair: Matthew Lucas 5 Chalky Road, Broadmayne, Dorchester, Dorset. DT2 8EJ Telephone: 01305 852615 Mobile: 07741 265912 E-mail: matt@funeraldirectors.uk.com Ground: The Camp & Satherley Stadium Grove Road, Portland, Dorset. DT5 1DP Telephone: 01305 861489 Info: 7.45pm Ko - Weds Midweek – Floodlights

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 24 LEAGUE RULES STANDARD CODE OF RULES – UPDATED following Adoption at the League AGM – 26th JUNE 2024 This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association for open age football (the “Standard Code”). The Standard Code is mandatory for all Competitions at Regional NLS Feeder League level and below, and Tier 7 and below of The FA Women’s Pyramid Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with the Standard Code, using the same numbering and standard headings. The mandatory rules are printed in normal text and the optional rules in italics. It should be noted that in many cases rules are so printed because they are alternatives and the procedure to apply should be retained and the others omitted. In all cases where a [ ] is shown the necessary name, address, number or wording to complete that rule must be inserted. Competitions may add to the core of the Standard Code, which is mandatory, providing the additions are approved by the Sanctioning Authority and do not conflict with the mandatory rules or any relevant principles and policies established by The FA. 1 DEFINITIONS (A) In these Rules: “Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an Affiliated Association under the rules of The FA. “AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition. “Club” means a club for the time being in membership of the Competition. “Club Portal” means the system used by Clubs to affiliate teams as determined by The FA from time to time. “Competition” means the Dorset Premier Football League. “Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition. “Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club. “Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition. “Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A. “Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A. “Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches. “Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company. “Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match. “Non-Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment. “Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions. “Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 25 “Player” means any Contract Player, Non-Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club. “Player Registration System” means the FA system to register players as determined by the FA from time to time. “Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played. “Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered. “Sanctioning Authority” means the Dorset County Football Association Limited. “Scholarship” means a Scholarship as defined in the FA rules. “Season” means the period of time between one AGM and the next AGM. “Secretary / General Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition. “SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition. “Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules. “The FA” means The Football Association Limited. “Virtual Meetings” means meetings held electronically. “Written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise. (B) Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and also the other way around.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 26 GOVERNANCE RULES 2 COMPETITION NAME & CONSTITUTION (A) The Competition will be known as The Dorset Premier Football League, The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist, or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall automatically cease to be a member of the Competition. (B) This Competition shall consist of not more than 36 Clubs approved by the Sanctioning Authority. (C) The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be 50 Miles radius of Dorchester. (D) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the League Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations, and policies of the FA. (E) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the League Management Committee in relation to them, subject to the provisions of Rule 7. (F) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition. (G) 1 All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association. 2 This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Dorset County Football Association and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in 2 Divisions of NO MORE than 18 Teams in each Division. 3 This Competition shall have No more than 6 Reserve teams in each Division. Please Note – It is the Leagues desire to reduce this number down to 5 as soon as possible (H) Inclusivity and Non-discrimination. 1 The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusivity and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements including those contained in the Equality Act 2010. 2 This Competition and each Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability, or disability or otherwise. 3 Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation. (I) Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, England Football Accredited League and FA Respect programmes. As an England Football Accredited League this Competition requires all its Clubs to have achieved England Football Accredited Club Status by 1st May 2025 The League Management Committee may expel any Club that has failed to achieve England Football Accredited Club status. New Member Clubs have One Year to achieve the England Football Accredited Club award. The League has the right to refuse Membership to a Club if it fails to demonstrate commitment to achieving the award. Any Member Club who has their England Football Accredited Club status removed by their relevant County Association will not be able to apply to join the League the following season as they will not meet League Entry requirements. The Club may re apply for their England Football Accredited Club status with their relevant County Association after 12 Months. Any Club re-admitted to the League after having their England Football Accredited Club Status removed will be admitted back into the League as an Associate Member Club for 1 Season.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 27 Teams in the Dorset Premier Football League will be subject to the following Four stage disciplinary process. (Note – Penalty Points tally, and Misconducts are taken from the League Statement accessed via the League General Secretary and Clubs on a weekly basis) STAGE 1 Clubs will receive a Letter from the League (copy sent DCFA) warning as to their future conduct upon passing 40 Penalty Points and / or reaching 4 E Misconduct charges and will be fined £50.00 STAGE 2 Clubs will be called before the League Management Committee upon passing 60 Penalty Points and / or reaching 6 E Misconduct Charges and will be fined £75.00 – At this stage; Clubs must identify actions that they are taking to improve Discipline. STAGE 3 Clubs will be further called before the League Management Committee upon passing 80 Penalty Points and / or reaching 8 E Misconduct Charges and will be fined £100.00 & Additional Action will be taken in Line with League Rule 12 due to their Undesirable Disciplinary record. The DCFA or Relevant CFA reserve the right to automatically remove the Award for Clubs found guilty of serious infringements (i.e. Assault on the Match Officials) and for Clubs regularly violating League Membership Rules. (J) All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children and Regulations for Safeguarding Adults at Risk as determined by The FA from time to time. (K) Clubs shall not enter any of their Teams playing in the Competition in any other competitions (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the League Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. A Club must immediately inform the Competition of the details of any fixture(s) in any other competition in which the Club has entered, for which written consent of the Management Committee has been obtained. (L) At the AGM or a SGM called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary, this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22. (M) Only one Team from a Club shall be permitted to participate in a single division unless there is no viable alternative because of logistical issues and/or reasons linked to participation and geographical boundaries in which case the Competition will obtain the prior approval of the Dorset County Football Association. This Competition will ensure that, where permission is given, Teams from a Club operating in the same division are run as separate entities with no interchange of players other than by transfers of registration in accordance with these Rules. 3 CLUB NAME Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Dorset County Football Association following consultation with the Competition. If permission is granted, the Club must advise the League General Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 4 ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION & DEPOSIT (A) Full Applications by New Clubs (#) for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club, must be made in writing to the League General Secretary by the 1st of May and

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 28 must be accompanied by an Entry Fee for each Team of £50.00 as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election. (#) New Clubs must give their Notice of Intention, in writing to the Dorset Premier Football League Secretary AND to the General League Secretary of the League Currently being played in by the 31st of December in any Year. Applications, of which due notice has been given, will be received at the AGM or an SGM if confirmed by a majority of the accredited voting members present. When Rule 22(B) is applied or a Team seeks a transfer or, is compulsorily transferred to another division, no Entry Fee shall be payable. (B) 1 The annual subscription shall be payable of £300.00 in accordance with the Fees Tariff for each Club payable at a date agreed at the AGM or set by the Competition, as follows: A £200.00 on or before the 1st of June in each year. B £100.00 on or before the 1st of February in each year. Clubs must advise the League General Secretary on the prescribed forms A & B details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition Including MEAP (Medical Emergency Action Plan) & Football Club Safeguarding Children Policy on or before the 1st of June in each year. Failure to Submit Forms A&B and pay Part A of the Annual Subscription by this date will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Failure to pay Part B of the Annual Subscription on or before the 1st of February in each year will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 Clubs shall forward to the League Treasurer a copy of their duly audited Balance sheet and a statement of accounts to include income and expenditure on or before the 21st of June in each year. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (C) New clubs entering the Competition must pay a £50.00 deposit in accordance with the Fees Tariff within 7 Days of being elected at the AGM, which will be refunded if they leave the Dorset Premier Football League within the Competition Rules. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee; annual subscription and deposit (if required) have been paid. (E) Clubs must ensure that all its teams participating in the Competition are recorded as affiliated on the Club Portal for the forthcoming Playing Season by the 1st of July in each Year. Clubs must advise the Competition Secretary in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £100.00 in accordance with the Fees Tariff. 5 MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION & ELECTION (A) The League Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and 4 Club Representatives members who shall all be elected at the AGM. (Auditors / Verifiers are not officers) Club Representatives shall be elected for 3 Years. Life Vice Presidents shall be entitled to attend all League Management meetings. Vice Presidents shall be elected for 1 Year, with a Maximum of 3 Vice President places. No Club shall have more than 1 elected Club Representative on the League Management Committee. Excluding Life Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents, any Member of the League Management Committee absenting themselves from 3 consecutive meetings shall, failing a satisfactory explanation in writing to the League General Secretary, be considered to have resigned and the League Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur during the year. (B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination. All other candidates for election as Officers of the Competition or members of the League Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the secretaries of two Clubs, not

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 29 later than the 1st of May in each year. Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no nomination for any office by the date stated in the earlier part of this Rule, nominations may be received at the AGM. Nominations by the LMC for Vice President(s) and/or Life Vice President(s) must be made on or before the LMC Meeting held in May in each Year. Names of the Nominated shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. (To be eligible for election as a Vice President, a candidate must have served a minimum 5 Years’ Service within the League Management Committee) (To be eligible for election as a Life Vice President, a candidate must have served a minimum 10 Years’ Service within the League Management Committee) (C) The League Management Committee shall meet a minimum of twice a season or as and when required. On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the League Management Committee the League General Secretary shall convene a meeting of the League Management Committee. (D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the League General Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings. Failure to reply to League Correspondence in the stipulated time frame will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with League Rule 6 H (E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers ONLY and ALL Official Requests must be made in writing and sent by the Club Secretary to the League General Secretary. (For the purpose of this Rule, Telephone requests do not count) Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 6 POWERS OF MANAGEMENT (A) The League Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported to the League Management Committee for ratification. The League Management Committee shall have power to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that are under the jurisdiction of The FA or Affiliated Association. (B) Subject to the permission of the Dorset County Football Association having been obtained, the League Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each Season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call on each Club to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the Season. (C) Each member of the League Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all League Management Committee meetings and have one vote at all such meetings, but no member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly relating to that member or to the Club so represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall also apply to the procedure of any sub-committee). (D) In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chair of the League Management Committee shall have a second or casting vote. (E) The League Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified. With the exception of Rules 6(I), 8(H), and 9, for all alleged breaches of a Rule the League Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club charged shall be given 7 days from the date of notification of the charge to reply. In such reply a Club may: 1 Accept the charge and / or submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the League Management Committee;

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 30 or 2 Accept the charge and notify the Dorset Premier Football League that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing before the League Management Committee; or 3 Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the League Management Committee; or 4 Deny the charge and notify the Dorset Premier Football League that it wishes to have a hearing before the League Management Committee. Should the respondent wish to put their case before the League Management Committee in line with E 2 & E 4 they shall deposit the sum of £50.00 with the League General Secretary when replying to the charge. This fee will be returned if the case is found Not Proven. Where the Club charged fails to respond within 7 days, the League Management Committee shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate. Having considered the reply of the Club (whether in writing or at a hearing), the League Management Committee shall make its decision and, if the charge is accepted or proven, decide on the appropriate penalty (with reference to the Fines Tariff where applicable). Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the Club as more fully set out above. The maximum fine permitted for a breach of a Rule by a Team playing at Regional NLS Feeder League of the National League System is £500.00 No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Sanctioning Association. (F) All decisions of the League Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7. Decisions of the League Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days. If a fine has been levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff, then an Invoice shall be sent with the notification. (G) A minimum of 50% of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the League Management Committee or any of its sub-committees. (H) The League Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill, any vacancies that may occur in their number. (I) A Club must comply with an order or instruction of the League Management Committee and must attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition to the satisfaction of the League Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (J) Subject to a Club’s right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7 below, all fines and charges must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision. Any Club failing to do so will be fined £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff Plus an additional £2.50 per day overdue. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional fine and overdue charge within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid. (K) A member of the League Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or Competition Match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition. (L) The League Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Playing Season, subject to the provisions of the National League System Regulations or Women’s Football Pyramid Regulations (which shall take precedence if applicable).

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 31 (M) The business of the Competition as determined by the League Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail, facsimile, or Online Video Conference. (N) The League Management Committee may charge a Member Club and/or an individual with “Bringing the League into disrepute” if in the opinion of the League Management Committee their behaviour is felt to be inappropriate. If found Guilty of such offence, the Member Club and/or individual shall be liable to be fined and dealt with by the League Management Committee as it deems appropriate. 7 PROTESTS, CLAIMS, COMPLAINTS & APPEALS (A) 1 All questions of eligibility, qualification of Players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the League Management Committee or a sub-committee duly appointed by the League Management Committee. 2 Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities will not be entertained by the League Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee prior to the commencement of the Match. (B) Except in cases where the League Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests, and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged with the League General Secretary within 3 days (excluding Sundays) of the Competition Match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the League Management Committee. A member of the League Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined. (C) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the League Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the League General Secretary a sum of £50.00 in accordance with the Fees Tariff. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the inquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties. (D) All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days before the protest or complaint being heard. 1 All parties must have received a minimum of 7 days’ notice of the hearing should they be instructed to attend. 2 Should a Club elect to state its case in person then it should indicate such when forwarding the written response. (E) The League Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the League Management Committee shall direct. (F) Any appeal against a decision of the League Management Committee must be lodged with the Dorset County Football Association within 14 days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee as decreed by the Dorset County Football Association, which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the League General Secretary. The procedure for the appeal shall be determined by the Dorset County Football Association and the Dorset County Football Association may (but is not obliged to): 1 Invite submissions by the parties involved; 2 Convene a hearing to hear the appeal; 3 Permit new evidence; or 4 Impose appropriate deadlines. Any appeal shall not involve a rehearing of the evidence considered by the League Management Committee. (G) No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 32 (H) All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules and appeals arising from a Player’s contract shall be heard and determined by the League Management Committee, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the League Management Committee. The Clubs or Players protesting, appealing, claiming or complaining must send a copy of such protest, appeal, claim or complaint and deposit a fee of £50.00 as set out in the Fees Tariff which shall be forfeited in the event of the protest, appeal, claim or complaint not being upheld, and in these circumstances may, in addition, be ordered to pay the costs at the direction of the League Management Committee. All such protests, claims, complaints, and appeals must be received in writing by the League General Secretary within 14 days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted. 8 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (A) The AGM shall be held not later than 30th of June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 15 members are present and entitled to vote: - 1 Confirm the minutes of the last AGM. 2 Adopt the annual report, balance sheet and statement of accounts from the previous season or accounting period. 3 Election of Clubs to fill vacancies. 4 Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing Season. 5 Election of Competition Officers and League Management Committee members. 6 Appointment of auditors / verifiers. 7 Alteration of Rules, if any (see Rule 14). 8 Agree the date for the beginning of the Playing Season and kick off times applicable to the Competition. 9 Agree the date for the end of the Playing Season (save for Regional NLS Feeder League which shall be determined by The FA). 10 Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted by the Chair as being relevant to an AGM. (B) A copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet, statement of accounts and agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting, together with any proposed Rule changes. (C) A signed copy of the duly audited/verified balance sheet and statement of accounts shall be sent to the Dorset County Football Association within 14 days of its adoption by the AGM. (D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 14 days’ notice shall be given of any AGM. An Associate Member Club in accordance with League Rule 2 I, shall have NO Voting rights at an AGM (E) Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the Playing Season being concluded or who are not continuing membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the Season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 12. (F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of hands or count of e-mail or virtual responses (for virtual meetings) unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chair so decides. (G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Member Club. (H) 1 Any continuing Club must be represented at the AGM. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 Any club that has submitted a valid application to join the Competition for the forthcoming season must have the opportunity to be put forward for membership and to have a vote taken on their membership application. (I) Officers of the Competition and League Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM, but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a Club (See Rule 8 G) (J) Where a Competition is an incorporated entity, the Officers of the Competition shall ensure that the Articles of Association of the Competition are consistent with the requirements of these Rules.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 33 9 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS (A) On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the League General Secretary shall call an SGM. (B) The League Management Committee may call an SGM at any time. (C) At least 7 days’ notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting. (D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGMs. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. An Associate Member Club in accordance with League Rule 2 I - shall have NO Voting Rights at an SGM. (E) Any Club failing to be represented at a SGM shall be fined £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (F) Officers of the Competition and League Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs but cannot also cast a vote on behalf of a Club (See Rule 9 D) 10 AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED Each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the application for membership for the coming Season. “We, (A) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Chair)/(Director)and (B) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Secretary)/(Director)of [ ] Football Club (Limited) have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Dorset Premier Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the League Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.” The agreement shall be signed: 1 Where a Club is an unincorporated association, by the Club Chair and secretary; or 2 Where a Club is an incorporated entity, by two directors of the Club. Any change of Chair, Secretary or Directors of the Club as named on the above agreement must be notified to the Relevant County Football Association to which the Club is sanctioned and to the League General Secretary of this Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 11 CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP & WITHDRAWL OF CLUB (A) Any Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a Team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the League General Secretary in writing of such intention by the 31st of March each season. This does not apply to a Club moving in accordance with Rule 22(B). Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine not exceeding £100.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any of its teams from the Competition after the AGM held not later than the 30th of June in any year for the following season. The League Management Committee shall have the discretion to deal with a Team being unable to start or complete its fixtures for a Playing Season, including, but not limited to, issuing a fine not exceeding £500.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (C) Notwithstanding the powers of the League Management Committee pursuant to Rule 6(I), in the event of a Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50.00, the League Management Committee shall be empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 34 (D) The Membership for the coming season having been decided at the AGM held not later than the 30th of June in any year, the Competition shall have the right, irrespective of any other provisions in this Rule, to refuse to permit a Club to withdraw its Team(s) in order to join another Competition and may hold the Club to its engagements. 12 EXCLUSION OF CLUBS, TEAMS, MISCONDUCT OF CLUBS, OFFICER, PLAYERS & MANAGEMENT COMMITEE (A) At the AGM or SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda by direction of the League Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to: 1 Remove a member of the League Management Committee from office; 2 Exclude any Club or Team from membership. Both of which must be supported by more than two thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A member of the League Management Committee or Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting. (B) At the AGM, or at an SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose Conduct / Poor Discipline has, in their opinion, been undesirable, provided this is supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting. (C) Any Officer or member of a Club found guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a Player or Players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to such penalty as a General Meeting or League Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of 12 (A) and/or 12 (B) of this Rule. 13 TROPHY (A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the cup or trophy: - “We (A) (name) and (B) (name), the Chair and Secretary of [] FC (Limited), members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of cup or trophy, and the cup or trophy having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the cup or trophy to the League General Secretary on or before 31st March in each year. If the cup or trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care, we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.” Failure to comply will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (B) At the close of each Competition 20 awards shall be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit. 14 ALTERATION TO RULES (A) Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Dorset County Football Association, shall be made to these Rules only at the AGM or an SGM specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season, except in exceptional circumstances and approved by Sanctioning Authority or the FA. (B) Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the League General Secretary by the 1st of April in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the League Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by the 15th of May in each year and any amendments to these proposals shall be submitted to the League General Secretary by the 1st of June

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 35 in each year. The proposals and proposed amendments to these proposals shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if two-thirds (2/3) of those present and entitled to vote and voting are in favour. (C) A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or SGM shall be submitted to the Dorset County Football Association or The FA (as applicable) at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting. 15 FINANCE (A) The League Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged. On-Line Banking Facilities are permitted. (B) All expenditure in excess of £500.00 shall be approved by the League Management Committee. (C) The financial year of the Competition will end on the 31st of May in each year. (D) The accounting records or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be audited/verified annually by a suitably qualified person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM. 16 INSURANCE (A) All Clubs must always have valid public liability insurance cover for a minimum of ten million pounds (£10,000,000). (B) All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ personal accident insurance cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition Match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the Dorset County Football Association. In instances where The FA is the Sanctioning Authority, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates. Failure to comply with Rules 16(A) or 16(B) will result in a fine not exceeding £100.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 17 DISSOLUTION (A) Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at an SGM by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant SGM. (B) In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the League Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition. (C) The League Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows: 1 Any surplus assets, save for a trophy or any other presentation, remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or the Dorset County Football Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the Dorset County Football Association. 2 If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the Dorset County Football Association may decide.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 36 MATCH RELATED RULES 18 QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS (A) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: 1 Registered through the Player Registration System and received approval from the Competition. NO LATER than 12.00 NOON on the day prior to that Player playing in a Competition League / Cup Match. The Dorset Premier Football League also requires the following. A Signed and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by an Officer of the Club, which is submitted to the League Registrations Secretary also, NO LATER than 12.00 NOON on the day prior to a Competition League / Cup match. 2 Registration forms may also be submitted to the League Registrations Secretary by E-MAIL in accordance with Rule 6 Registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. 3 If a Club attempts to register a player via the Player Registration System but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information required by the Player Registration System, the registration will not be processed. If the Submitted Registration Form is not fully and correctly completed, it will be returned to the Club unprocessed, and the Player classed as unregistered. 4 For Clubs registering players by the Player Registration System Clubs must access the Player Registration System in order to complete the registration process. (B) 1 Contract players are not permitted in this Competition except for those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System. 2 It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Failure to do the correct checks at the time of Signing Player will result in Disciplinary Action being taken in accordance with League Rule 18 M if at a later date, the players International Clearance, where applicable, status is in question. (For the purpose of this Rule International Clearance is required for ANY player over the age of 10 who has played abroad including in Wales, Scotland & Ireland – Clubs should e-mail registrations@thefa.com with any queries in relation to International Clearance) 3 Each Team must have at least 15 Players registered by the 31st of July prior to the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £100.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. A player may renew his Registration with his Club on or after the 1st of April each season, other players (New) may register with a Club on or after the Monday following the 2nd Saturday in May. 4 In the event of a Non-Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same Club, or with a Club in another Competition their registration as a Non-Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule 18 B 1 (C) A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) shall be permitted to register for a Club but will be suspended from Football activities if the Player does not comply with the terms of the football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt. (D) A fee of £5.00 as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered. Registration forms shall be obtained from the League Registration Secretary or downloaded from the League’s website. 1 Clubs will be invoiced on the 1st of September, the 1st of January & the 1st of April during the season for players Registered. Payment shall be received within 14 days’ receipt of invoices, Failure to do so will result in a fine in accordance with League Rule 6 I (E) The League Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 37 In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, in the Competition. The valid registration submitted first shall take precedence. The League Registrations Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration. (F) It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to: - 1 Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred. 2 Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer, or where the Competition adopts Rule 18 P 3 Submit a signed registration form or submit a registration through the Player Registration System that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (G) 1 The League Management Committee shall accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rules 18(G) (2) and (3) below. 2 The League Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff, who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7). 3 The League Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Dorset County Football Association. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with. Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition. 4 A Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule 18(G)(3) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition, (excluding standard dismissals), the Competition may consider a further charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute. (Note: Action under Rule 18(G) (3) shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or the FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match-based discipline, in any competition (and is not restricted to the Competition) in a period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.) (H) Subject to compliance with FA Rule C Where a Club issues a Formal Written Notice of Approach, the following shall apply. A Saturday Club only need issue to ALL Saturday Clubs – This includes to ALL Higher or Lower Stepped League Clubs, who compete in, amongst others, The Wessex League, The Western League & The Dorset Football League. When a Club wishes to register a player who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer Notification to the Competition via the Player Registration System a fee of £35.00 as set out in the Fees Tariff will be required. NO NEW REGISTRATION FORM IS REQUIRED. A Transfer will not be valid until the Transfer Notification Document AND Transfer Fee has been deposited with the League NO LATER than 12.00 NOON on the day prior to that Player playing in a Competition League / Cup Match. FA Rule C3 c3.1 Players who are not under written contract to a Club may be registered with a number of Clubs at any time subject to the following provisions and those of the Competitions in which they play. (C3.1.1) Competitions sanctioned by the Association under regulation 3 of the “Regulations for the Sanction and Control of Competitions” may make their own regulations for the approach of Players between Clubs of the Competition

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 38 Such transfer shall be referred by the League Registrations Secretary to the club for which the player is registered. Should this club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the League Registrations Secretary and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the League Registrations Secretary may, on behalf of the League Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 1 day after receipt of such transfer. In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the League Management Committee for a decision. (I) A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after the 31st of March except by special permission of the League Management Committee. 1 After this date, Clubs may with special permission from the League Management Committee, register any playing member who has been formally registered for their Club for the current season with any other Competition prior to the 31st of March. Supporting documentary evidence of the prior registration must be sent with the Players Registration form. 2 No Player may Transfer more than once in any 28 Day period. (J) Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only. (K) A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship, promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in Rule 22(A) unless the Player has played 6 Competition Matches for that Team in the current Playing Season. (L) A Member Team shall not include more than 3 Players who has/have played in 1 or more Senior Competition Matches (Step 6 or higher) for ANY CLUB during the current playing season. Unless a period of 21 Days (CLEAR) has elapsed since they played. 21 clear days is counted by excluding the day when the relevant Player last played and the day when the Player intends to play again. For the purpose of this Rule, a Senior Competition is a Competition higher than the Dorset Premier Football League (Step 6 or higher) in the match precedence list on the COUNTY CUP ELIGIBILITY LIST in the Dorset County Football Association handbook. (Below is the excerpt that covers the DPL) DORSET COUNTY CUP COMPETITIONS, PLAYERS CUP ELIGIBILITY LIST 1 - FA Cup 2 - FA Trophy 3 - FA Vase 4 - Dorset Senior Cup, or Senior Cup of Neighbouring County 5 - Football Combination League & Football Conference League 6 - Southern League Cup & Southern League 7 - 8 - Western League Cup & Western League & Wessex League Cup & Wessex League & SW Peninsula League 9 - 10 - Dorset Senior Trophy, Dorset Premier League Cup & Dorset Premier League, or other Step 7 Competitions The County Cup Qualifications are: Senior Trophy – not eligible if played in competition 4 Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £75.00 and have 3 Points Deducted from its playing record in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (M) 1 Subject to Rule 18 M 2 any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine of £75.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 39 (For the purpose of this Rule, if more than 1 player is proven to be ineligible in the same Competition Match or Matches then the fine will be levied per Player) 2 The League Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18 M 1 only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status. 3 Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18(L) above, the League Management Committee may also, at its discretion order one or more of the following (if appropriate): a Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or b Levy penalty points against the Club in default up to a maximum of 12 Points; or c Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the League Management Committee). (N) The following clause applies to Competitions involving Players in full-time secondary education: - 1 Priority must be given at all times to activities of schools and school organisations. 2 The availability of children and young people must be cleared with the Head Teachers or principals (except for Sunday leagues competitions). 3 To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16. (O) N/A (P) If a Club wishes to cancel a Player’s registration within the Competition, it must make a request via The FA’s electronic player registration system giving the reasons for the request. The Competition may either approve or decline the request. If a Player’s registration is cancelled, he/she will not be eligible to re-register in the Competition for a period of 30 days from the date of cancellation. (Q) All member Clubs of the Dorset Premier Football League shall be bound to place their players at the disposal of the Dorset Premier Football League for Sanctioned League Representative Matches and Training Sessions. 1 Any player who is selected to play for the Dorset Premier Football League and fails to do so shall not play for any Club on that day unless he first obtains the consent of the Chair of the Dorset Premier Football League. Any player failing to comply with this Rule will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with League Rule 6 (N) 2 Any player who is selected to attend an organised Mid-Week Training Session / Friendly for the Dorset Premier Football League and fails to do so shall not play for any Club on the following Weekend unless he first obtains the consent of the Chair of the Dorset Premier Football League. Any player failing to comply with this Rule will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with League Rule 6 (N) 3 Any Club found to have encouraged or instigated a player to commit an offence in accordance with League Rule 18 (Q1) / 18 (Q2) shall be deemed guilty and will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with League Rule 6 (N) 4 A Club having its goalkeeper or having Two or more players selected to play for the Dorset Premier Football League shall be allowed to postpone a Dorset Premier League / Cup fixture in which they are scheduled to play on that day if they so desire. Postponements for League / Cup matches will be at the discretion of the League General Secretary. 19 CLUB COLOURS (A) Every Team must register the colour and design of its shirts and shorts with the League General Secretary by the 1st of June who shall decide as to their suitability. (B) Any Team wishing to change the colours and / or design of its shirts and shorts during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Competition League General Secretary in advance of making that change. (C) Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials. (D) No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 40 (E) Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents of the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper’s jersey) at least 5 days before the Competition Match. (F) If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the Away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (G) Shirts must be numbered, and no two shirts shall have the same number failing which a fine of £25.00 will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 20 PLAYING SEASON, CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK OFF, POSTPONEMENTS & SUBSTITUTES (A) All Competition Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board. Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their Grounds in a playable condition. All Competition Matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the League Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a match has to be replayed, the League Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed. 1 NO ALCOHOL is permitted to be consumed by pitch side and is allowed ONLY in designated areas as determined by the Member Club. Providing they are in a Plastic drinking vessel or Plastic Bottle NO GLASS TO BE USED - Failure to comply with this Rule will result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with League Rule 6 (N) 2 Member Clubs must have Line Marking equipment available for use should it be required on a Competition Match Day if the appointed Match Officials or a Match Official there to conduct a Pitch Inspection deem the markings not acceptable. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 3 The League Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facility are suitable for Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Match(es) on another ground. Artificial Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. https://footballfoundation.org.uk/3g-pitch-register All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register. The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20(C). Within Regional NLS Feeder Leagues all Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes. All other Competition Matches shall have duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes. The times of kick-off shall be agreed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent of the two competing Clubs and the Competition. Kick Off will be 3.00pm during, August, September, October, March, April, and May and 2.00pm in November, December, January, and February. Clubs with approved Floodlights may kick off at 3.00pm in November, December, January, and February with the consent of the League General Secretary. Clubs with approved Floodlights may have Matches scheduled for Mid-week throughout the season. Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 41 4 Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time will be fined £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least 5 footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition. If not provided. No overhead netting is allowed for 9v9 and 11v11 affiliated matches. Regional NLS Feeder Leagues: Overhead wires used to support pitch divider netting are removed for all affiliated matches in the NLS and at Regional NLS Feeder League level. Match Balls specified by the League Management Committee must be used in ALL Competition matches. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (B) Except by permission of the League Management Committee all Competition Matches must be played on the dates originally agreed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the League General Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’ notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed). (C) 1 An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the Ground, time of kick-off, and kit colours (including goalkeeper) and if Hospitality is / isn’t provided after the game to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing Club at least 5 clear days prior to the playing of the Competition Match. The opposing Club must confirm receipt and give notice of its kit colours (including goalkeeper) at least 3 days prior to the playing of the Competition Match. If either is not provided, the Relevant Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 2 i 2 ii In accordance with 20 C (1) If the HOME side indicates that they provide Hospitality after a Competition Match then the AWAY team must reply by return WITHIN 2 DAYS that they will or will not be attending after the game. If not so provided, the HOME Club shall report the circumstances to the Competition. FAILURE by the AWAY Club to reply will result in a fine of £10.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff Furthermore, Failure to attend after a game after replying that they would attend will result in a fine of £30.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff (£20.00 of this fine will be forwarded on by the League to the Home Club in question) (D) In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players which constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (E) 1 a b a b c Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the League Management Committee shall decide whether it should either: Award the points from the Competition Match in question to the Club’s opponent (without the awarding of goals) OR Order the Competition Match to be rescheduled. The Management Committee shall also have the power to order the rescheduled Competition Match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent Club’s Ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances. In addition, the Management Committee may at its discretion order one or more of the following (if appropriate): Impose a fine of £200.00 (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), Deduct 6 points from the defaulting Club, Order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 42 2 Any Club with more than one Team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence: - First Team, Reserve Team, A Team. 3 Any DEFAULTING Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Competition League General Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Officer, the Secretary of the opposing Club, the Match Officials, and the League Press Officer. For the Purpose of this Rule, you must make Contact using a Telephone / Mobile device. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 4 In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Competition. Failing such agreement and notification to the Competitions League General Secretary within 5 days the Competition shall have the power to order the Match to be played on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition, the League Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand. 5 The League Management Committee shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the League Management Committee shall order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases where the League Management Committee are satisfied that a Match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall award the points for the Match to the opponent. In cases where a Match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their Club member(s), the League Management Committee shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that Match, and it shall not be replayed. No fine(s) can be applied by the League Management Committee for an abandoned Match. 6 The League Management Committee shall review any Match that has taken place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule 18(N) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and void and shall not be replayed. (F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 Substitute Players of whom ALL 5 may be used. Team sheets, on the forms provided by the Competition, including the nominated substitutes, must be given to the Referee, and exchanged with the opponents in the Referee's changing room at least 30 minutes before the time of kick-off. In the event of a team fielding two or more players with the same surname, the full forenames must be shown. Any subsequent alteration to the team sheet must be notified to the Referee and opponents prior to kick-off. A Player not so named may not take part in that Competition Match. A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition. (G) The half time interval shall be of 15 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15 minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee. (H) The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of their teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £10.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (I) Where a suspension imposed in relation to a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) upon a Club by The FA or Affiliated Association is not lifted, and/or the Club does not provide confirmation from The FA or Affiliated Association that such suspension is lifted to the Competition Secretary by 11.00am - 2 days before a fixture, that fixture will be treated as an unfulfilled fixture and dealt with in accordance with Rule 20(E).

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 43 (J) The Competition shall require all Players and Club Officials to have signed the FA’s Respect Code of Conduct and produce these if so, requested by the League Management Committee. Prior to each match the participating teams and officials shall conduct the Respect handshake. (K) Each Club must provide a team bench, which must be able to accommodate eight persons under cover. The number of persons and Club Officials seated on the team bench must not exceed eight, but those accommodated must have a designated seat under cover. 1 Only one person has the authority to convey instructions to players during the match. He/she is allowed to move to the edge of the Technical Area to issue instructions to players but must resume his/her position on the team bench immediately after giving those instructions. Apart from the Club Official issuing instructions and any substitutes warming up, all other personnel in the Technical Area are to remain seated. 2 All Club Officials and substitutes seated on the team bench must be listed on the Team Sheet submitted to the Referee. Only those persons listed on the Team Sheet shall be permitted in the Technical Area. The only persons permitted in the Technical Area shall be Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, medical staff, named substitutes and substituted players. No persons under 16 years of age shall be allowed in Technical Areas. 3 The occupants of the Technical Area must always behave in a responsible manner. Misconduct by occupants of the Technical Area will be reported to the County Football Association by the Referee. If a member of the Technical Area misbehaves, but cannot be identified by the Referee, then the senior member of the persons in the Technical Area shall be removed and reported to the County FA by the Referee as they are responsible for the Technical Area “team”. 21 REPORTING RESULTS The Dorset Premier Football League uses the FA Full-Time system to record match results. It will automatically send an SMS Text Message to each of the registered mobile numbers (e.g. club Secretary), reminding you to send in the result of the match at its conclusion. BOTH clubs should reply to the message giving the score for the match in the format home team first, away team second separated by a hyphen. For example: - You will receive a text similar to: - FA Full-Time Automated Results: CITY v UNITED, Sat 12 AUG 15:00. Reply with home and away scores exactly in format: H-A e.g. 1-0 To report a 2-1 win to the home side you would simply reply: 2-1 IMPORTANT NOTE: You must leave no gap between the numbers and the hyphen You must not add any additional information other than that requested. If the match is postponed, as well as making the required telephone calls, the home club can report by sending P-P and in the case of abandoned matches A-A FA FULL-TIME will only accept results from registered phones so if you need to change the registered telephone number during the season, you must advise the League Fixtures Secretary at least 48 hours prior to your next fixture. ALL LEAGUE RESULTS MUST BE SENT IN BY THE TIMES SHOWN UNDER RULE 21 B 1, that is by, 5.30pm for a Saturday fixture, & 10.30pm for a Midweek fixture. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. POST-MATCH FA FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION The Dorset Premier Football League requires each team to complete the fixture admin on the FA’s Full-Time platform within 72 hours of the match finishing.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 44 This is to include listing of the starting XI, all substitutes used and unused (including times subs were made); goal scorers, cautions and dismissals, and referee marks. Scoring Referees is marked out of 100 Up to 40 marks are available for Overall Decision Making Up to 30 marks are available for Judgement of Major Decisions Up to 30 marks are available for Overall Control FA Document “Guide to Marking Referees” for clubs can be found here by scanning this QR Code Failure to complete any aspect of this post-match requirement will result in a fine being issued as per the Fines Tariff. (A) 1 The Competition must receive within 72 hours of the match finishing the result of each Competition Match entered on the FA FULL TIME Site. This admin is to include listing of the starting XI, all substitutes used and unused (including times subs were made); goal scorers, cautions and dismissals, and referee marks. Scoring Referees is marked out of 100. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 Incorrect Team Information submitted onto the FA FULL TIME site in accordance with League Rule 21 A 1 will see the Club Charged with Falsifying a Match Return on the FA FULL TIME site and will result in a fine of £75.00 in accordance with the fines Tariff. (B) 1 BOTH Clubs shall SMS the result of each Competition Match to the prescribed FA FULL TIME SMS NUMBER. By 5.30pm for a Saturday fixture, and 10.30 pm for a Midweek fixture. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 BOTH Clubs shall SMS the HALF TIME SCORE to the League Press Officer within 15 Minutes Conclusion of the 1st Half. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 3 BOTH Clubs shall SMS the Names - Including their 1st Name - of their Goal scorers only (in order) to the Leagues Press Officer within 15 minutes’ conclusion of the game played. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. DO NOT SMS the Half Time Score to the prescribed FA FULL TIME SMS NUMBER. (C) The HOME Club Secretary person shall E-MAIL ONLY, Telephone messages are not permitted, the Leagues Press Officer by 3.00 pm the day after the match with a copy of the Match Report Pro Forma (available from the Leagues Web Site) filled out as requested, unless a Club Match report has been submitted in its place. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (D) In All FA & County Cup Competition matches played by any Member Club, Home or Away, the Club Secretary, or nominated person, must SMS their HT score within 15 Minutes Conclusion of the 1st Half and SMS the FT Score and the Names - Including their 1st Name - of their Goal scorers only (in order) to the Leagues Press Officer within 15 minutes’ conclusion of the game played to the Competition and comply with Rule 21 C. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £50.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 22 DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP (A) 1 Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points. In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season, rankings shall be determined by the following criteria in the order of priority in which they appear: (NB: for Regional NLS Feeder Leagues criteria 1 & 2 are mandatory; for all other Competitions they are optional):

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 45 2 3 4 5 Goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favourable goal difference shall be placed highest. In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals during the Playing Season shall be placed highest. In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team that has won the most matches during the Playing Season shall be placed highest. In the event of two or more Teams being equal, the Team which has the better playing record against the other Team in their head-to-head Competition Matches during the Playing Season will be placed highest. One-off fixture or play-off games as determined by the League management committee. (B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first Team and automatic relegation shall be applied for the last 2 Teams in each division except as provided for below, subject to the provisions of Rule 2(L). 1 Should one or more Teams withdraw from any one division after the Playing Season has commenced an equal number of Teams to those withdrawing in that division shall not be automatically relegated. 2 Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the Playing Season may be filled in any of the following ways: (a) Retention of otherwise relegated Team(s) or (b) Additional promotion of the next ranked Team(s) from the division below or (c) Election. 3 When a Senior Team is relegated to the Dorset Premier Football League of which it’s Reserve Team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such Reserve Team must accept relegation to, the next lower division. (C) N/A (D) In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this, Rule 22(D) a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the League Management Committee. (E) Where a promotion and/or relegation link exists between Competitions, Clubs, providing they meet the appropriate grading criteria will be eligible to make application to the FA and Relevant Competition at their AGM. Should the champion Club not wish for promotion or alternatively, not have the necessary grading criteria, then the 2nd placed Club will be eligible under the same conditions and so on, down to the Finishing Position as decreed by the FA. At the end of each Season and depending on the geographical location of Clubs gaining promotion to or being relegated from a Step 6 Competition, it may be necessary for the Competition either: a To accept a Club from the relevant Step 6 Competition, or b Have a Club transferred to the same Competition. REGIONAL NLS FEEDER LEAGUES ONLY: The bottom 2 Clubs in the Competition will be relegated. Any Club not maintaining the ground grading set for the Competition may be relegated at the end of the playing season. Each relegated Club will be allocated to the highest division in either the DFL or the Competition recommended as most appropriate by the Joint Liaison Committee. Clubs will be promoted to the Dorset Premier Football League Competition from the relevant DFL Competition, providing that each Club has the necessary grading criteria. Should the champion Club(s) not wish for promotion or alternatively, not have the necessary grading criteria, then, the 2nd placed Club(s) will be eligible under the same conditions and so on, down to the Finishing Position as decreed by the FA. If only 2 Clubs are eligible and wish for Promotion, the bottom 2 Clubs in the Dorset Premier Football League Competition will be relegated, if only 1 Club is eligible or wishes promotion, only the bottom Club in the Dorset Premier Football League Competition will be relegated.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 46 In the event of there being no eligible Club wishing promotion or not having the necessary grading criteria from any of the Competitions, this will reduce the number of Clubs to be relegated from the Dorset Premier Football League Competition. In the event of a Dorset Premier Football League Competition Club not being placed in the bottom 2 Clubs at the end of the Playing Season, wishing to resign from the Competition at the end of the Playing Season, or having been excluded under Rule 12 only 1 Club will be relegated at the end of the Playing Season. In the event of a Dorset Premier Football League Competition Club opting to be relegated or being relegated under Rule 12 such Club or Clubs will replace the Club or Clubs otherwise due for relegation. 23 MATCH OFFICIALS & POSTPONING OF GAMES (A) Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the League Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority. (B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed referee the appointed senior assistant referee shall take charge and a substitute assistant referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status, and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match. (C) Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (D) REGIONAL NLS FEEDER LEAGUES ONLY: No Club shall postpone a Competition Match on account of the apparent state of the ground. If such circumstances prevail, Clubs should comply with procedures provided for in the document published by the FA “Recommended procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions”. As shown on pages 13 and 14 of the Handbook. Should the ground be declared unfit it is the responsibility of the Home Club to immediately advise the Competition, the appointing Authority, the visiting Club and Match Officials. In accordance with League Rule 23 D & 21 D 1, in normal conditions, pitch inspections are to be carried out on the Day of the scheduled fixture, with NO EXCEPTIONS, not later than 11.30am for an afternoon Kick Off and 5.00pm for an evening Kick Off. The League General Secretary reserves the right to Postpone Fixtures due to prolonged / extreme weather events and issue a “Severe Weather Protocol” directive if required. 1 Each Club must take every precaution to ensure that its ground is in a fit playing condition. In the event of doubt regarding the condition of the pitch, the Home Club shall immediately inform the League General Secretary with details of when an inspection will be held, and by whom if not the appointed Match Official. Where the fitness of the Ground is in doubt, and the appointed Referee is unable to make an early inspection, Clubs shall call a Local Referee, Level 5 or above, who is Independent of the Club, to inspect the Ground in time on the day of the Match, not later than 11.30am for an afternoon Kick Off and 5.00pm for an evening Kick Off. to give a decision to the opposing team as to whether to travel. It is the responsibility of the Home Club to immediately advise the Competition, the visiting Club, and the Match Officials of this decision by 11.45am for an afternoon Kick Off and 5.15pm for an evening Kick Off at the Latest. Referees so called to inspect a ground may claim reasonable expenses in line with League Rule 23 F (Video Calls will be permitted at the time of the Inspection to the League General Secretary) Guidance is available in the document published by the FA

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 47 “Recommended procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions” 2 A Match Postponement form must be fully completed by the Home Club and the Postponing Referee. This form shall be forwarded to the League General Secretary and opposing Club Secretary within 72 Hours of the inspection. Failure to do so will result in a Fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Match Postponement forms shall be obtained from the League General Secretary or downloaded from the Leagues official website. (E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff and Travel Expenses as laid out below. Match Official £40.00 Match Fee Plus Mileage of 0.35p per Mile Asst Referee £30.00 Match Fee Plus Mileage of 0.35p per Mile Match fees: These should be cashless where possible. Referees should agree with the paying club in advance of match day whether payment will be by cash or BACS/electronic payment. 1 If payment is by BACS/electronic payment, a payment timeframe should be agreed, up to a maximum of 48 hours’ post-match. If payment is not received within this agreed timeframe, Match Official(s) should contact the League Referees Appointments Officer in the 1st Instance. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. 2 If payment is by Cash, then this must be paid by the Home Club, in an envelope, before / immediately after the competition match, but NO Later than 30 minutes after. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. The Dorset Premier Football League operates an Equalization calculation at the conclusion of a season in respect of Mileage Expenses incurred by Clubs for League games only. Please note: For season 2023/24 – Only the Match Referee Mileage Expenses incurred will be used in the Calculation. (F) In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to Half Match Fee & Mileage of 0.35p per Mile Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full Match fee & Mileage of 0.35p per Mile. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine of £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff. (G) A referee not keeping their engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered. (H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition Match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined £25.00 in accordance with the Fines Tariff or dealt with as the League Management Committee shall determine. (I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by the prescribed date each Season, shall submit a summary to The Dorset County Football Association. (J) The referee shall submit an ONLINE GOOGLE FORM report, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the Competition Match, the number of Players in each Team, the time of kick-off, Cautions Issued (Player & Code only), Sending’s Offs (Player & Code only), Technical and Dug out marks and Respect Marks plus any other information required by the Competition to the League General Secretary and Referee Appointments Officer within 72 hours of the match finishing. (K) Match Officials shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge. (L) Match Officials shall comply with the provisions of any initiatives of the FA and/or Sanctioning Authority adopted by the Competition.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 50 FINES TARIFF RULE NUMBER DESCRIPTION MAXIMUM FINE 2 (G) FAILURE TO AFFILIATE £50.00 2 (I) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FA INITIATIVES As set out in Rule 2 (K) UNAUTHORISED ENTRY OF TEAMS INTO COMPETITIONS £50.00 3 FAILURE TO OBTAIN CONSENT FOR A CHANGE OF CLUB NAME £25.00 4 (B 1 A) FAILURE TO PAY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION – Part A £50.00 4 (B 1 B) FAILURE TO PAY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION – Part B £50.00 4 (B 2) FAILURE TO SUBMIT AUDITED BALANCE SHEET & STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS £75.00 4 (C) FAILURE TO PAY DEPOSIT £50.00 4 (E) FAILURE TO ENSURE TEAMS ARE RECORDED AS AFFILIATED IN THE CLUB PORTAL £100.00 5 (D) FAILURE TO REPLY TO LEAGUE CORRESPONDENCE £50.00 5 (E) FAILURE TO CONDUCT COMMUNICATION TO LEAGUE THROUGH OFFICERS ONLY £50.00 6 (I) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN INSTRUCTION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE £50.00 6 (J) FAILURE TO PAY A FINE WITHIN REQUIRED TIMEFRAME £50.00 + £2.50 p/d 8 (H) FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT AGM £50.00 9 (E) FAILURE TO BE REPRESENTED AT SGM £50.00 10 FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR TO NOTIFY CHANGES TO SIGNATORIES £25.00 11(A) FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL BEFORE DEADLINE £100.00 11 (B) FAILURE TO COMMENCE/COMPLETE FIXTURES Up to £350.00 13 (A) FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED WRITTEN AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TROPHY £25.00 16 (A) FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE Up to £100.00 16 (B) FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED PERSONAL ACCIDENT COVER Up to £100.00 18 (B 3) FAILURE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF REGISTERED PLAYERS PRIOR TO THE SEASON COMMENCING £100.00 18 (F) REGISTERING OR PLAYING FOR MULTIPLE CLUBS, OR INACCURATE COMPLETION OF A REGISTRATION FORM £50.00 18 (G 2) REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES £50.00 18 (L) FIELDING MORE THAN THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SENIOR COMPETITIONS MATCHES £75.00 18 (M) PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER £75.00 19 (F) DELAYING KICK OFF DUE TO NO CHANGE OF COLOURS £50.00 19 (G) FAILURE TO NUMBER SHIRTS £25.00 20 (A 1) FAILURE TO ENTER TEAM DETAILS ON FA FULL TIME IN REQUIRED FORMAT £50.00

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 51 20 (A 2) NO LINE MARKING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE ON MATCH DAY £25.00 20 (A 3) DELAYING KICK OFF DUE TO FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUIRED £25.00 20 (A 4) NON-COMPETITION MATCHBALLS £25.00 20 (B) FAILURE TO PLAY MATCHES ON THE DATE FIXED £25.00 20 (C) FAILURE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF A FIXTURE £25.00 20 (C 2 i) ACKNOWLEDGING HOSPITALITY £10.00 20 (C 2 ii) FAILURE TO ATTEND HOSPITALITY AFTER ACKNOWLEDGING TEAM WOULD BE £30.00 20 (E 1) FAILURE TO PLAY FIXTURE £200.00 20 (E 3) FAILURE TO GIVE NOTICE AS PER RULE £50.00 20 (H) NO CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND £10.00 21 (A 1) LATE MATCH NOTIFICATION FA FULL TIME £50.00 21 (A 2) FALSYFYING A MATCH RETURN SHEET ON FA FULL TIME £75.00 21 (B 1) FAILURE TO PROVIDE RESULT £50.00 21 (B 2) FAILURE TO PROVIDE HT SCORE £50.00 21 (B 3) FAILURE TO PROVIDE GOALSCORERS £50.00 21 (C) FAILURE TO PROVIDE MATCH REPORT £50.00 21 (D) FAILURE TO PROVIDE COUNTY CUP DETAILS £50.00 23 (C) FAILURE TO PROVIDE CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREE £25.00 23 (D 2) FAILURE TO PROVIDE POSTPONEMENT FORM £25.00 23 (E 1) - BACS FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND EXPENSES £25.00 23 (E 2) - CASH FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS’ FEES AND EXPENSES £25.00 23 (F) FAILURE TO PAY MATCH OFFICIALS WHERE A MATCH IS NOT PLAYED £25.00 23 (H) FAILURE TO PROVIDE REFEREE’S MARK £25.00 23 M FAILURE TO ESCORT MATCH OFFICIALS FROM FIELD OF PLAY £50.00

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 53 LEAGUE CUP RULES COMPETITION RULES 1 The Competition shall be called the Dorset Premier League Cup and shall be entered by all Clubs competing in the Dorset Premier Football League. 2 All matches shall be played in accordance with the Rules of The Football Association. 3 The Competition shall be played on a Knock-out principle, or as decided by the League Management Committee. 4 The Club drawn first shall have choice of ground in all Rounds preceding the Final. The League Management Committee shall decide the venue for the Final. a If the Club drawn first have floodlights, then the date set for the playing of the tie may be scheduled for Midweek. b If a tie is POSTPONED on 2 separate occasions due to an unfit pitch, then the League Management Committee reserve the right to switch the tie to the Away Club’s venue. If the tie is switched, then the "New" Home side will be liable for ALL Officials Expenses. 5 a The qualification of players shall be the same as for the Dorset Premier Football League. b For the purposes of this Competition, a bona-fide playing member of a Club, is one who, being in other respects eligible, has signed a fully and correctly completed League Registration form in ink, countersigned by the Club Secretary and who has been registered with the League Registration Secretary NO LATER than 12.00 NOON on the day prior to the Cup Tie. c In the case of postponed matches, only players who were eligible on the date of the original match shall be allowed to play. d Provided he is otherwise eligible, a player who has been suspended may play in a postponed Cup Tie after the term of his suspension has expired. e Only players registered prior to the date set for the Semi-Final ties shall be eligible to play in the Final. f No player shall be eligible to play for more than one club in any one season's Competition. It is the Club’s responsibility to check the eligibility of their players for the Competition. g Any Club playing an ineligible player shall be fined a sum of £75.00 (per player) and removed from the competition. 6 a In the event of any match prior to the Final ending in a draw after 90 minutes' play an extra half-hour (15 minutes each way) shall be played, if the scores are still level after any necessary extra-time, the match shall be decided by a penalty shoot-out. b If the Final Tie ends in a draw after 90 minutes' play an extra half-hour (15 minutes each way) shall be played, if the scores are still level after any necessary extra-time, the match shall be decided by a penalty shoot-out. 7 a At the conclusion of the Final, the Winners shall be presented with the League Cup which shall be returned, suitably engraved, in good order and condition, to the League General Secretary, not later than the last Thursday in March each year. Failure to comply with this Rule shall incur a fine of £50.00 b The League Cup trophy shall remain the property of the Dorset Premier Football League who will insure all trophies. c The League shall present suitable souvenirs to the players of each of the Finalists and to the Match Officials. d Any player dismissed from the field of play for misconduct during the Final tie shall have their award withheld. The League Management Committee shall decide if the award be given.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 54 8 All protests shall be lodged in writing and in duplicate to the League General Secretary within three days of the match concerned, together with a deposit of £50.00 which shall be forfeited should the protest not be sustained. 9 The result of all Cup matches shall be conveyed as in full accordance with League Rule 21. 10 All matches shall be played on dates arranged by the League General Secretary. Clubs may, by mutual agreement, and with the permission of the League General Secretary bring matches forward. 11 a Any Club failing to play a match, without a satisfactory explanation, will incur a fine of £200.00 and will be removed from the Competition. They will also be responsible for their opponents’ out-of-pocket expenses. b Any Club playing with less than eleven players shall be dealt with in accordance with League Rule 20 (D). 12 a The Referee and Assistant Referees for matches prior to the Final shall be appointed in accordance with League Rule 23. b The Match Officials for the Final Tie shall be appointed in a manner approved by the League Management Committee. 13 a In all matches prior to the Semi-Final the home Club shall be responsible for all match expenses. b In Semi-Final ties, the Dorset Premier Football League and competing Clubs shall each receive one-third of the Net Gate takings. The home Club shall forward to the League General Secretary and to the visiting Club a statement of accounts together with any monies due within seven days of the match. Any Club failing to observe this Rule shall incur a fine of £50.00 c In the Final, the Dorset Premier Football League and Competing Clubs shall each receive 1/3 of the Net Gate proceeds. 14 Any matter arising not covered by the Rules of the League Cup Competition shall be dealt with by the League Management Committee, and where not otherwise varied by these Rules, the Rules of the Dorset Premier Football League shall apply.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 55 GUIDE TO MARKING REFEREES The mark awarded by a club must be based on the Referee’s overall performance. It is important that the mark is awarded fairly and not based upon isolated incidents or previous games. The Referee’s performance should be determined by the table below which should act as a guide for the overall mark which should fall within the mark range for each standard of performance. Mark Range Comment 100 - 86 The Referee demonstrated very accurate decision-making and controlled the game very well using management and communication skills effectively to add value to the game. 85 - 76 The Referee demonstrated accurate decision-making and controlled the game well using management and communication skills to contribute positively to the game. 75 - 61 The Referee demonstrated reasonably accurate decision-making and despite some shortcomings generally controlled the game well. 60 and below; The Referee demonstrated short comings in the accuracy of decision-making and control which affected the game. Notes • Club officials should use the full range of marks within each category to help distinguish between different performance levels, e.g. within the 85-76 category a mark of 84 indicates a better performance than a mark of 77. • While some Referees may have below average performances, there will usually have been some positive aspects of their performance, so extremely low marks should be very rare. • When club officials are marking a Referee, they should always look at the game as a whole and not isolated decisions. The result of the match should not influence the mark and disciplinary action should be judged objectively. • When a mark of 60 or lower is awarded, an explanation must be provided to the Competition using the box provided on the marking form. The purpose of this is to assist Referees to improve their performance levels, so the comments should be as helpful as possible. PLEASE NOTE When a club considers that the Match Referee has discharged his or her duties unsatisfactorily and awards a mark of 60 or less, a detailed report must be submitted to the League General Secretary WITHIN 4 DAYS of the match. FAILURE TO COMPLY shall incur a fine of £25.00 - League Rule 23(h).

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 56 HOW TO DECIDE ON THE REFEREE’S MARK The following questions focus on the key areas of a Referee’s performance. They are intended as an “aide memoire”, are not necessarily comprehensive and need not be answered individually. It is, however, worth considering them before committing yourself to a mark for the Referee. CONTROL AND DECISION MAKING · How well did the Referee control the game? · Were the players’ actions recognized correctly? · Were the Laws applied correctly? · Were all incidents dealt with efficiently/effectively? · Were all the appropriate sanctions applied correctly? · Was the Referee always within reasonable distance of incidents? · Was the Referee well positioned to make critical decisions, especially in and around the penalty area? · Did the Referee understand the players’ positional intentions and keep out of the way accordingly? · Did the Referee demonstrate alertness and concentration throughout the game? · Did the Referee apply the use of the advantage to suit the mood and temperature of the game? · Was the Referee aware of the players’ attitude to advantage? · Did the Referee use the assistants effectively? · Did the officials work as a team, and did the Referee lead and manage them to the benefit of the game? COMMUNICATION AND PLAYER MANAGEMENT · How well did the Referee communicate with the players during the game? · Did the Referee’s Level of involvement/profile suit this particular game? · Did the Referee understand the players’ problems on the day – e.g. difficult ground/weather conditions? · Did the Referee respond to the changing pattern of play/mood of players? · Did the Referee demonstrate empathy for the game, allowing it to develop in accordance · With the tempo of the game? · Was the Referee pro-active in controlling of the game? · Was the Referee’s authority asserted firmly without being officious? · Was the Referee confident and quick thinking? · Did the Referee appear unflustered and unhurried when making critical decisions? · Did the Referee permit undue questioning of decisions? · Did the Referee deal effectively with players crowding around after decisions/incidents? · Was effective player management in evidence? · Was the Referee’s body language confident and open at all times? · Did the pace of the game, the crowd or player pressure affect the Referee negatively? FINAL THOUGHTS · Always try to be objective when marking. You may not obtain the most objective view by marking immediately after the game. · Judge the performance over the whole game. Don’t be too influenced by one particular incident. · Don’t mark the Referee down unfairly because your team was unlucky and lost the game or some disciplinary action was taken against your players.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 58 STANDING ORDERS 1. Meetings of the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall meet monthly at such place and time as is decided by the Management Committee at the first meeting held following the Annual General Meeting. Additional Management Committee Meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chairman and General Secretary. 2. Order of Proceedings. The business of the Management Committee shall be proceeded in the following order: - (a) The Minutes of the last meeting, having been circulated, shall be approved as a record of the transactions there at. (b) The Business arising from the Minutes (c) Correspondence (d) General Secretary’s report on League business that has arisen since the previous meeting. (e) Referees’ Appointments and Registration Secretaries Reports. (f) Financial Statement. (g) The Business remaining on the agenda shall then be proceeded with in such order that the Chair may direct. 3. Mode of Address. Each member on speaking shall rise and address himself/herself to the Chair, and not to any member of the Committee, and all questions to be asked shall be through the Chair. 4. Order of Speaking. The mover of every original resolution, but not of amendment (unless it becomes an original motion), shall have the right to reply, not introducing therein any new matter, but confining himself strictly to answering previous objections, immediately after which the question shall be put from the Chair. No other member shall be allowed to speak more than once on the same question, unless permission be obtained from the Chair. 5. Motions and Amendments. All original motions and amendments shall, if the Chair requests, be reduced to writing and read before being spoken to. 6. Amendments. When an amendment is moved upon a proposition, no further amendment shall be moved or considered until the first is disposed of, any number of amendments may be brought forward in succession and the question must be put in such a manner that if one amendment be negative, another may be moved upon the original proposition, but if an amendment be affirmed it shall form the proposition under consideration, whereupon further amendments may be moved. If after disposal of the amendment no second of further amendments be moved, the question must be ultimately be put upon the original or amended proposition, as the case may be, in order to its being passed as a resolution. Once passed no resolution shall be rescinded within three months of being passed as a resolution and then only if carried by a two-thirds majority of the members present. 7. Sub-Committees. The Management Committee shall have power to appoint Sub-Committees when necessary and may delegate all or any of their powers to any such Sub-Committee. In the event of the voting at any meeting being equal, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote. 8. Privilege. The discussion, statements of members, evidence of witnesses and any other matters within or before the Management Committee and its Sub-Committees shall be deemed privileged and confidential and the Management Committee shall have power to censure or suspend from service on the Management Committee any member proved to be guilty of a breach of this rule. 9. Communications. All Communications must be addressed to the League General Secretary, who shall conduct all correspondence of the League. 10. Monies. Subscriptions, entrance fees, shares of gates from Cup matches and all monies accruing to the League shall be paid direct to the Treasurer of the League who shall account to the Management Committee. Shares of gate from Cup Matches, together with a details statement must be sent to the

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 59 Treasurer within fourteen days of the match taking place, failing which, defaulting clubs shall be liable to a fine in accordance with League Rules. An official receipt shall be given by the Treasurer, no other being valid. 11. Accounts. All accounts shall be presented to and passed by the Management Committee, and all cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair or League General Secretary. 12. AGM. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in June each year. The venue of this Meeting shall be decided by the Management Committee. 13. Order of Business. The order of business at the Annual General Meeting shall be as laid down in League Rule 8 (a). 14. A motion of amendment. Which is set forth on the agenda or which has been seconded, cannot be withdrawn without the consent of the Meeting. 15. Motions without Notice and (in part) without Debate. The following motions may be moved at any time without previous notice: - (a) That precedence be given to any particular business set forth on the agenda. (b) That the question be now put. (c) That the Meeting proceed to the next business. (d) That the Meeting be adjourned. (e) That the Chair leave the Chair. Provided that any motion falling under Section (a) to (c) inclusive shall, on the seconding thereof, be immediately put to the vote without discussion and no amendment be allowed. A member who has taken part in the debate on the proposition under discussion at the time shall not be eligible to propose or second either of the motions under Section (b) to (c). Provided also that any motion falling under Section (d) may in the discretion of the Chair be discussed, and he may allow amendments to be moved thereto. 16. Motions or Amendments not seconded. A motion or an amendment shall not be open to discussion until it has been seconded, if any motion or amendment fails to find a seconder the meeting shall proceed to the next business. 17. Reserving Speech. A representative may formally second a motion or amendment, reserving his speech for a later period. 18. Representative Speaking. A representative before speaking shall state his name and the Club he represents and shall address the meeting from the front of the platform. 19. Priority of Speaking. If two or more representatives rise at the same time to speak, the Chair shall decide to whom priority shall be given. 20. Representative to Speak Once. A representative shall not speak more than once on the same motion or amendment, except in explanation, or (being the mover of a motion), in reply as provided in Standing Order 23. 21. Time Limit on Speeches. The mover of a motion or an amendment shall be allowed to speak for up to ten minutes, but each succeeding speaker shall not be allowed to speak for more than five minutes, provided that the prescribed time limit may be exceeded only with the consent of the Chair. 22. Questions and Points of Order. A representative may at any time raise a point of order or ask a question but must confine the point of order or question to the subject matter before the meeting. He must address the Chair through whom all questions shall be put.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 60 23. Right of Reply. Only the mover of a motion (including the mover of an amendment which has become the substantive motion) shall have the right to reply, provided that this be confined to answering previous speakers, and that not new matter be introduced. After the reply, if any, the motion shall be put to the vote forthwith. 24. Amendments. If an amendment to the motion be moved and seconded, a further amendment shall not be moved until the first amendment is disposed of. If any amendment be negative, a further amendment may be moved on the original motion, but only one amendment shall be submitted at one time. Whenever an amendment to a motion is declared carried, the motion, as so amended, will thereupon become the substantive motion, to which any further amendment may be moved. 25. Conduct of Proceedings. The proceedings of the meeting shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the League and these Standing Orders. In cases not provided for, the Chair shall decide. 26. Ruling of Chair. The ruling of the Chair shall be final and binding and shall not be discussed. 27. Chair Rising. On the Chair rising, any representative then standing shall immediately resume his/her seat. 28. Club Representative Seeking Admission or Re-Election. One representative from each of the Clubs applying for admission of re-election to the League shall be allowed five minutes to address the Meeting upon the matter of their application. 29. Suspension of Standing Orders. Standing Orders may be suspended by a resolution passed by the Meeting, provided that at least two-thirds of the representatives present, and voting shall vote for the resolution, or, in the case of a ballot at least two-thirds of the votes cast are for the resolution.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 61 NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM REGULATIONS 2024 2025 1. DEFINITIONS In the interpretation of these Regulations: any words and expressions, unless otherwise defined herein, shall be words and expressions as defined as follows: - “The Association” means The Football Association Limited. “Club” means a football club for the time being in a League in membership of the NLS or Feeder Leagues (as applicable) “Committee” in these Regulations means the relevant Committee appointed by the Association. “Competition” in these Regulations means a League in the NLS. “Conditional Licence” means a Licence with conditions attached to be met by a Club within a period determined by the Competition in which the Club holding the Licence is allocated by the Committee. Such period is not to exceed 1 March in the Membership Year to which the Licence relates. Save in exceptional circumstances a Conditional Licence cannot be granted to a Club for successive Membership Years in respect of the same Criterion. “Criteria” means the Criteria for participation in Play Off Matches and Inter-Step Play Off Matches as set out in regulation 9 of these Regulations. “Feeder Leagues” means Regional NLS Feeder Leagues from where a Club can enter the NLS. “League” means any competition sanctioned by The Association and/or an Affiliated Association in membership of the NLS or Feeder Leagues (as applicable). “Licence” means an annual licence required to be held by a Club to be a member of a Competition that may be either an Unconditional Licence or Conditional Licence. “NLS” means the National League System of competitions controlled by The Association where promotion and relegation links exist between participating Leagues. “Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the League is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the League is played. For Clubs participating in Play Off Matches this does include the period when Play Off Matches are played. “Play Off Match(es)” means matches played between Clubs in a Play Off Position on a format to be determined by each League provided that the format is the same across each Step. “Play Off Position” means the position of a Club at the end of each Playing Season which is provided for in Standardised Rule 12 as qualifying the Club to take part in a Play Off Match to qualify for promotion to the next Step for the next Playing Season. “Regular Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the League is played each year and the date on which the last competitive fixture in the League is played, excluding Play Off Matches. “Regulations” means these regulations. “Rules” means The Association’s Standardised Rules or The Association’s Standard Code of Rules under which a League is administered.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 62 “Step” means the level at which a Club participates in the NLS or Feeder League (as applicable). “Unconditional Licence” means a Licence without any conditions attached. 2. THE NLS SHALL BE OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS. The aims and objectives of the NLS are to provide: 2.1 Clubs with a level of competitive football appropriate to their playing ability, stadium/ ground facilities and geographical location. 2.2 A framework for discussion on matters of policy and common interest to Leagues and Clubs. 2.3 The seasonal movement of Clubs. 2.4 A co-ordinated approach between Leagues regarding the final date of the Playing Season. All Leagues are bound by the Regulations. A Club is bound by the Regulations from the date it has qualified for placement into the NLS until such time as it leaves the NLS for whatever reason. 3. NLS LEAGUE STRUCTURE. 3.1 The current structure of the NLS is set out below: The Leagues currently at Steps 5 and 6 are set out at the end of the Regulations. Each Step shall have the following maximum number of Clubs: Step 1-24, Step 2-48, Step 3-88, Step 4- 160, Step 5 - 320, Step 6- 340. Clubs will be placed in the most geographically appropriate division. 3.2 Any league wishing to become part of the NLS must apply to the Committee by 31st December in the relevant year in such form and/or providing such information as shall be required by the Committee from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a league should be admitted to the NLS shall be made by the Committee which will then decide on the Step at which the League will compete.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 63 3.3 Any League wishing to propose an adjustment to its position within the NLS must apply in writing to the Committee by 31st December in any year for such proposal to be determined by the Committee in order, if approved, to have effect in the following Playing Season. 4. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PROMOTION AND RELEGATION The Committee shall provide for the seasonal promotion, relegation or the movement of Clubs. 5 DETAILED PROMOTION AND RELEGATION ISSUES 5.1 The criteria for entry to the NLS and the criteria for ground/stadium facilities and the Criteria for participation in Play Off Matches shall be determined by the Committee. All criteria so determined shall be published by The Association from time to time. 5.2 Subject to 5.5, at the conclusion of each Playing Season, the following procedures will apply to promotion / relegation subject to the application of the Rules: Step 1 and Step 2 These regulations do not deal with promotion from Step 1 The Clubs finishing in the bottom four places at Step 1 at the end of the Playing Season will be relegated and placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2 for the following Playing Season. They will be replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the divisions at Step 2 together with a further two Clubs determined by a series of Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in 1st position but does not meet the criteria for promotion to the next Step, the Club finishing in 2nd position shall be promoted. The Clubs finishing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th positions shall be eligible to take part in the Play Off Matches. The Play Off Matches shall be played so that in each Step 2 division there is a qualifying round, semi-finals and a promotion final with all ties being played over a single leg at the ground of the higher placed Club. The winner of the promotion final in each Step 2 division will be promoted. If a Club is not eligible to enter Step 1 then it shall not take part in any Play Off Matches. In that event, such Club shall not be replaced and the Play Off Matches structure and draw shall be adjusted as necessary by the Competition on the basis of the remaining Clubs’ final league positions. Step 2 and Step 3 The Clubs in the bottom four places in each of the two divisions at Step 2 at the end of the Regular Season will be relegated and placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3 for the following Playing Season. They will be replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the four divisions at Step 3 together with a further four Clubs determined by a series of Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in 1st position but does not meet the criteria for promotion to the next Step, the Club finishing in 2nd position shall be promoted and the Club finishing in 3rd position (and so on) shall be the Club in the next eligible position to take part in the Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in a Play Off Position but does not meet the Criteria for participation in Play Off Matches the Club finishing in the next eligible position shall take part in the Play Off Matches. In each division

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 64 at Step 3, the Play Off Matches shall be played so that the highest placed of the eligible Clubs plays against the lowest placed and the other two Clubs play each other. The ties will be played on a single match basis with the home Club being the Club with the best points per match ratio in the Regular Season. If there are only three eligible Clubs, then the highest placed shall receive a bye to a second match where it will play the winner of the other Play Off Match and the winner of that match will play in the further Play Off Match described above. Clubs finishing below position 7 will not be eligible to take part in Play Off Matches. The promoted Clubs will be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 2 for the following Playing Season. Step 3 and Step 4 The Clubs finishing in the bottom four places in each of the four divisions at Step 3 at the end of the Regular Season will be relegated and placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 4 for the following Playing Season. They will be replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the eight divisions at Step 4 together with a further eight Clubs determined by a series of Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in 1st position but does not meet the criteria for promotion to the next Step, the Club finishing in 2nd position shall be promoted and the Club finishing in 3rd position (and so on) shall be the Club in the next eligible position to take part in the Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in a Play Off Position but does not meet the Criteria for participation in Play Off Matches, the Club finishing in the next eligible position shall take part in the Play Off Matches. In each division at Step 4 the Play Off Matches shall be played so that the highest placed of the eligible Clubs plays against the lowest placed and the other two Clubs play each other. The ties will be played on a single match basis with the home Club being the Club with the best points per game ratio in the Regular Season. If there are only three eligible Clubs, then the highest placed shall receive a bye to the second match where it will play the winner of the other Play Off Match and the winner of that match will be promoted. Clubs finishing below 7th position will not be eligible to take part in Play Off Matches. The promoted Clubs will be placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 3 for the following Playing Season. Step 4 and Step 5 The Clubs finishing in the bottom four places in each of the eight divisions at Step 4 at the end of the Regular Season will be relegated and placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 5 for the following Playing Season. Clubs relegated for finishing in the bottom four places in each of the eight divisions at Step 4 will be replaced by the Clubs finishing in 1st position in each of the sixteen divisions at Step 5 together with a further 16 Clubs (one Club from each of the sixteen divisions at Step 5) determined by a series of Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in 1st position but does not meet the minimum criteria for promotion to the next Step (which shall include being awarded a Grade 5 following an independent ground grading inspection), the Club finishing in 2nd position shall be promoted and the Club finishing in 3rd position (and so on) shall be the Club in the next eligible position to take part in the Play Off Matches. Where a Club finishes in a Play Off Position but does not meet the Criteria for participation in Play Off Matches, the Club finishing in the next eligible position shall take part in the Play Off Matches. In each division at Step 5, the Play Off Matches shall be played so that the highest placed of the eligible Clubs plays against the lowest placed of the eligible Clubs and the other two eligible Clubs play each other. The ties will be played on a single match basis with the home Club being the Club with the

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 65 best points per match ratio in the Regular Season. If there are only three eligible Clubs, then the highest placed eligible Club shall receive a bye and play the winner of the other Play Off Match, and the winner of that match will be promoted. Clubs finishing below 7th position will not be eligible to take part in Play Off Matches Step 5 and Step 6 The Clubs in the bottom two places in each of the sixteen divisions at Step 5 at the end of the Regular Season will be relegated and placed in a feeder pool and placed in the most geographically appropriate division at Step 6 for the following Playing Season Step 6 and relegation. At the end of the Regular Season the Clubs in the bottom three positions of each of the seventeen Step 6 divisions will be liable to relegation. The final number of Clubs to be relegated will be confirmed once promotion candidates from Feeder Leagues and any vacancies are known. If reprieves are required the Clubs third from bottom will be ranked on a points per match basis (then goal difference, then goals scored if required) - the Club(s) with the best points per match will be reprieved. If all third from bottom Clubs are reprieved, and a further reprieve(s) is required, the same process will apply for Clubs in second from bottom (and so on). 5.3 At Steps 2-5 the Club finishing in last place in the table at the end of the Regular Season will be relegated and not reprieved. 5.4 At Steps 1 to 6, if a Club becomes eligible to take part in a Play Off Match and refuses to take part in that match or if a Club qualifies for promotion and refuses to be promoted then that Club shall be relegated from the division it last played in and shall play the following Playing Season in the division at the next Step level below. If the refusal/ineligibility applies to a Club currently operating at Step 6, the Club will be removed from the NLS and placed in the appropriate Regional NLS Feeder League, provided there is an eligible Club at Feeder League level to replace them. 5.5 Where a vacancy occurs within the NLS the following procedures will apply: End of the Playing Season 5.5.1 (a) Where a Club notifies its decision to resign from its League at the end of the Playing Season, then a vacancy is created on the date the notification of that decision is formally recorded by that League. Such resignation can only be withdrawn by the end of that Playing Season with the consent of the Board of that League. (b) In all cases, that Club is treated as a relegated Club. The final table of that division is not affected. (c) In cases where the vacancy is created after the end of the Playing Season but before the League’s AGM, the vacancy will be filled in accordance with Regulation 5.5.2 below. 5.5.2 (a) Where a vacancy occurs at Step 1 and Step 2 following the completion of a Playing Season the best ranked Club in a relegation position is reprieved. (b) Where a vacancy arises at Step 3 to 6 following the completion of a Playing Season it shall be dealt with at the sole discretion of the Committee. (c) Where a vacancy occurs at Step 3 and 4 after the allocations for the following season have been published and prior to the holding of the League’s AGM. The vacancy created shall be dealt with at the sole discretion of the Committee in order to minimise disruption.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 66 (d) Where a vacancy occurs after the date of a League AGM then a League is not able to replace the Club(s) concerned for the following Playing Season. Prior to the end of a Playing Season 5.5.3 (a) In cases where the vacancy is created prior to the end of the Playing Season, at Steps 1 and 2 the vacancy will be filled by the best ranked Club in a relegation position at the end of the Regular Season, eligible of being reprieved in that same division. In the event of there being more vacancies than Clubs eligible to be reprieved, such vacancy or vacancies will be filled by Clubs eligible to be reprieved in the Competition’s other division(s) on a points per match ratio. At Steps 3 to 6, the vacancies shall be filled at the sole discretion of the Committee. (b) Where, prior to the end of the Playing Season, a Club notifies its decision to resign from its League with immediate effect or where a Club is removed from the League for any reason, then the playing record of that Club will be expunged, and a vacancy is created on the date the resignation or removal is formally recorded by that League. (c) In all such cases that Club is treated as a relegated Club and the vacancy will be filled in accordance with 5.5.3(a) above. 5.6 Only internal changes to the constitution of a League are allowed following the holding of a League’s Annual General Meeting. 5.7 Clubs are not allowed to enter into a ground share agreement in order to gain promotion or to retain membership at a particular Step where the Club has failed to attain or maintain the relevant Grade. 5.8 Stadium Accreditation Programme requirements will be in accordance with the Rules. Each Playing Season, a Club participating at Step 1 to Step 6 must attain the following Stadium Accreditation by 31 March: Where a Club fails to attain the relevant grade by 31 March in a Playing Season, it will not be eligible for promotion or to participate in any Play Off Match in that Playing Season and will be relegated to the Step immediately below at the end of the Playing Season (save for where that Club also fails to meet the Stadium Accreditation criteria applicable for the Step immediately below, in which case the Committee shall decide (at its sole discretion) where to place the Club for the following Playing Season). Clubs promoted from Feeder Leagues must install floodlights in working order by 30th September following promotion. Failure to do this will result in a sanction being imposed at the discretion of the League of which the

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 67 Club is a member. If by 31st March in the year following promotion the floodlights are still not installed, then the Club will be a relegated Club and be dealt with accordingly. 5.9 If a Club is relegated for not achieving the required Grade for the Step at which it is playing (regardless of whether the Club finishes in a relegation position or not), it will not be eligible for promotion again until it has attained the required Grade for the Step to which it wishes to be promoted. The Club must have that Grade at 31st March in the year in which it seeks promotion. 5.10 Where a club resigns from a League, that club will not be eligible for promotion for at least one Playing Season following the Season in which it resigned. Regulation 5.9 shall also apply if, in the Playing Season during which the Club resigns, that Club failed to attain the required Grade for the Step at which it was playing. 5.11 In the event of any question arising regarding the interpretation of these Regulations it will be decided by The Association in its sole discretion. 6. THE MOVEMENT OF CLUBS WITHIN THE NLS OTHER THAN BY PROMOTION OR RELEGATION 6.1 Movement of a Club from participation in one League to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation or otherwise as set out in these Regulations or League Rules save with the approval of the Committee. It may be necessary from time to time to move Clubs laterally at the same Step. Each year the Committee (or sub-committee thereof) will consider whether any lateral movements may be necessary at each Step and the final decision shall rest with the Committee / sub-committee. Only a Club subject to lateral movement from one League to another may appeal that decision pursuant to Regulation 8.2(b). 6.2 If a Club wishes to move to either: (a) another division at the Step of the NLS at which its current division operates, or (b) another division at a Step of the NLS below that at which its current division operates, that Club must make an application in writing to the Committee on or before 31st March in each year to be effective for the following Playing Season. In the event of such application being successful, the League from which the Club is moving (if applicable) shall not levy a financial penalty on that Club. 6.3 (i) If a Club (whether a Members’ Club or a Company) is wound up, liquidated, or is removed from its League or withdraws from football competition (‘the Former Club’), and a new Club (‘the New Club’) is established which wishes to be placed within the NLS, it will be allowed to make an application only to join a League/ division at Step 5 of the NLS unless the Former Club was in either Step 4 or Step 5 when the event which caused it to cease its membership occurred in which case it must re-join the NLS at a minimum of two Steps below the level at which it was at the time the event occurred, or withdrew from football competition, whichever is lower. Where the Former Club was a member of Premier League or EFL then the Committee shall at its absolute discretion determine in which League the New Club shall be placed for the following Playing Season and will set out at its complete discretion the requirements to be met by the New Club. In order for consideration to be given to the placement in the NLS of the New Club in the following Playing Season, an initial application must be received by the Committee by 1st March or within twenty-one days of the Former Club being wound up, liquidated, resigning or being removed from its League or withdrawing from football competition, if such date is later than 1st March. The full application accompanied by all necessary documents including evidence of security of tenure having been granted to the New Club and affiliation to a County Football Association must be received by 31st March or within twenty-one days of the Former Club being wound up, liquidated, resigning or being removed from its League or withdrawing from football competition, if such date is later than 1st March. The application shall be copied to the League of which membership is being requested. The application will be determined by the Committee. In considering any application, the Committee will set out at its sole discretion the requirements to be met by the New Club. In the event of more than one application being received within twenty-one days of the Former Club being wound up, liquidated, resigning or being removed from its League or withdrawing from football competition, the Committee will consider at its discretion which application will be considered in accordance with this Regulation. (ii) If a Club is removed from its League and wishes to remain in the NLS it shall apply to the Committee within five working days of it receiving written notification of its removal from its League. The Committee will consider such application and will place the Club in what it considers at its sole discretion to be the most appropriate League/division for the following Playing Season.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 68 6.4 If a Club (whether a Members’ Club or a Company) ceases to be a member of its league and that Club (that is not a New Club as defined at 6.3 above) wishes to be placed within the NLS for the immediately following Playing Season, then unless otherwise determined by the Committee, it may be allowed to make an application to join a League/division below the most recent League/division of which the Club was a member. In order for consideration to be given to the placement in the NLS by the Club in the immediately following Playing Season, an initial application must be received by the Committee in accordance with the procedures set out at 6.3 above. The application shall be copied to the League of which membership is being requested. The application will be determined by the Committee at its absolute discretion. In considering any application, the Committee will set out at its sole discretion the requirements to be met by the Club in determining whether to approve the application. 6.5 If two or more Clubs (“the Merging Clubs”) are proposing a transaction or series of transactions that result in the merging or consolidation (“the Proposed Merger”) of those Clubs into one Club (“the Merged Club”) then a formal application to do so must be received by the Committee and the league(s) of which the Merging Clubs are members by 31st December to be valid for the following Playing Season. A Deed of Agreement, which shall be legally binding on all parties must be submitted to The Association by 31st March in the year immediately following receipt of the application. The Committee shall determine at its absolute discretion where the Merged Club is to be included in the NLS for the following Playing Season subject to the provisions of item 6.5.5 below. A Deed of Agreement, which shall be legally binding on all parties must be submitted to The Association by 31st March in the year immediately following receipt of the application. The Committee shall determine at its absolute discretion where the Merged Club is to be included in the NLS for the following Playing Season subject to the provisions of item 6.5.5 below. In arriving at its decision, the Committee may apply the following minimum criteria: 6.5.1 The requirements of Standardised Rule 2.9 for the current Playing Season must be met by each of the Merging Clubs. If one or more of the Merging Clubs is subject to an insolvency event then Standardised Rule 2.9.2 shall be applied to such club(s), otherwise Standardised Rule 2.9.1 shall be applied. 6.5.2 The proposed playing name of the Merged Club must be acceptable to the Committee; and 6.5.3 The Merged Club must have security of tenure to a ground that meets the relevant Stadium Accreditation requirements. 6.5.4 Any other criteria that the Committee may from time to time deem to be appropriate. 6.5.5 The Merged Club will ordinarily be placed at the lower of the Steps at which the Merging Clubs ended the Playing Season in which the application is made. For the purposes of this Regulation, if one of the Merging Clubs has finished that Playing Season in a relegation place, then they will be deemed to have ended the Playing Season at the Step to which they would have been relegated without the Proposed Merger proceeding. Any decision regarding whether a proposed transaction or series of transactions falls to be considered under this Regulation shall be determined by the Committee at its absolute discretion. 7. PLACEMENT OF A CLUB INTO A LEAGUE 7.1 Usually a club can only enter the NLS at Step 6 via a Feeder League. However, a League may seek approval from the Committee to receive a club or team not currently in membership of a League within the NLS provided that there is: (a) exceptional circumstances, (b) a vacancy within its constitution, (c) the club meets the entry criteria and (d) promotion and relegation issues have been satisfied. Such request must be received from the league by no later than 1st February. Any decision shall only be capable of Appeal to The Association by the affected League. 7.2 Reserve teams, including a team from a club or Club which is not considered by the Committee to be sufficiently separate from another club or Club, will not be permitted to compete above Step 6 in the NLS. There must be a minimum of two Steps between a first and reserve team. This does not apply at Steps 6 and Feeder League level. No two teams from the same Club can play at the same Step.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 69 7.3 Teams from Higher Education or Further Education establishments are not permitted to compete above Step 5. This does not prevent any such establishment forming a Club which complies with all entry criteria, and which is separate from the establishment itself. 7.4 Where a Club moves from one League to another, for whatever reason, the League from which it is being moved must provide the League to which the Club is being moved with a certificate confirming that the Club being moved does not owe any money or other property of any nature to the League from which it is being moved. The Club being moved cannot compete in its new League until such certification has been provided and the onus will be on the Club being moved to ensure that it has cleared all indebtedness to its previous League. 8. PROCEDURES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANY MATTER, DISPUTE OR DIFFERENCE BY THE COMMITTEE 8.1 The Committee may adopt such procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference as it considers appropriate and expedient, having regard to the aims and objectives set out at Regulation 2. The Committee may require the attendance at a meeting or the written observations of any League or Club, as it considers appropriate to assist its determination. 8.2 (a) Any dispute or difference between a League and a Club relating to promotion and relegation issues, lateral movement and/or other eligibility criteria must be referred for determination to the Committee; such determination shall be final and binding subject only to Arbitration in accordance with Rule K. (b) Subject to Regulation 6.1 above, any decision of the Committee shall be subject to a right of appeal to an Appeal Board. The decision of that Appeal Board shall be final and binding on all parties. All referrals of appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the Appeal Regulations save for. (i) appeals in relation to Stadium Accreditation decisions where the procedures are outlined in Regulation 8.2(c) below and (ii) appeals in relation to decisions made pursuant to Regulations 6.1 and 6.2 above where the procedures are outlined in Regulation 8.2(d) below. (c) Procedures for Stadium Accreditation Appeals (i) The ratification of the Stadium Accreditation decision must be sent in writing within 14 days of the final decision date, currently 31st March. (ii) Appeals in relation to Stadium Accreditation Appeals must be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days from the date of the written decision outlining the Grounds of Appeal, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (iii) Unless both parties agree that a hearing should be conducted on the papers, the Committee will appear before an Appeal Board with the Appellant to respond to the application and there is no requirement to make a formal response in writing. (iv) In all cases the Committee will submit any documentation including the Stadium Accreditation report that was considered by the Committee in relation to the Stadium Accreditation decision, (which the appellant would already have received). (v) Dates would be set annually in advance by the Judicial Services Department for the hearing of Stadium Accreditation appeals and details of the dates would be notified to all Clubs in the correspondence from the Committee notifying the decision of the Stadium Accreditation assessment. (d) Procedures for appeals against decisions made pursuant to Regulation 6.1 and 6.2. (i) Such appeals must be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days from the date of the written decision outlining the Grounds of Appeal, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (ii) The Committee’s response to the appeal shall be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days of the date the Club’s appeal was submitted, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (iii) In all cases the Committee will submit any documentation considered by the Committee in relation to the relevant decision (which the appellant would already have received) with its response.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 70 (iv) The Committee will appear before an Appeal Board with the Appellant for determination of the appeal. (v) Dates would be set annually in advance by the Judicial Services Department for the hearing of such appeals and details of the dates would be notified to the Club in the correspondence from the Committee notifying them of the relevant decision. 8.3 The Committee may, at its discretion, delegate the resolution of any matter, dispute or difference arising under these Regulations to anybody it considers to be appropriate (including a sub- committee or commission which may include members of council not on the Committee or a body constituted by a County Football Association). 9. CRITERIA FOR THE PARTICIPATION IN PLAY-OFF MATCHES In order to qualify for Play Off Matches a Club must comply with: • Security of Tenure – see Standardised Rule 2.3.2 • Solvency – see Standardised Rule 13.B.2 • Ground Share requirements, i.e. not ground share in order to gain promotion – see 5.7 of these Regulations • Stadium Accreditation – see 5.8 of these regulations and the relevant criteria document 10. ARBITRATION The fact of participation in the NLS and signifying agreement to be bound by the Regulations shall constitute an agreement between each League and Club to refer to Arbitration any challenge in law arising out of, or in relation to, the Regulations in accordance with the provisions of FA Rule K. 11. LICENSING SYSTEM A Club shall be required to hold a Licence to be a member of a Competition at Steps 1 to 4 of the NLS. (a) The Association shall through the appropriate Committee operate a Licensing System to apply to all Clubs competing at Steps 1 to 4 of the National League System (“NLS”). A Club is required to hold a Licence to be a member of a Competition at Steps 1 to 4 of the NLS. The Licensing System to be applied is as shown at an Appendix to the Standardised Rules. (b) Each Competition at Steps 1 to 4 of the NLS shall be responsible for the operation, assessment and granting of the Licence in respect of its Clubs through the Standardised Rules as approved by a Committee of The Association. A Competition at Steps 1 to 4 shall take all reasonable and practical steps to co-operate with The Association in the application of the Licence. (c) In the event that a Competition fails to apply the Licensing System set out in the Standardised Rules to the satisfaction of The Association, then The Association shall have the powers of the Board of that Competition as set out in the Standardised Rules to apply such Licensing System. In addition, The Association may, if necessary, bring an action against the Competition for Misconduct under the Rules of The Association. 12. PRECEDENCE In the case of conflict between the Regulations for the Operation of the NLS and the Rules, the Regulations take precedence:

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 71 Leagues with Regional NLS Feeder League status - 2024-25 season: APPENDIX A Regional NLS Feeder League Regulations 1. League Structure 1.1 The Leagues currently operating as Feeder Leagues are set out above this Appendix. 1.2 At Feeder League level the maximum number of Clubs in each division shall be determined by the Sanctioning Authority taking into account all relevant factors. In any case, this shall not be more than 18 Clubs. The minimum amount of Clubs should be 14. 1.3 Any league wishing to become a Feeder League must apply to the FA Leagues Committee by 31st December in the relevant year in such form and /or providing such information as shall be required by the Committee from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a league should be admitted as a Feeder League shall be made by the Committee. 2. Rules and Regulations for Promotion and Relegation 2.1 All Feeder League Clubs seeking promotion to Step 6 must make an application using the prescribed form direct to The Association, copied to their existing League, by 31st December in the relevant year. In order to be considered for promotion Clubs must finish in 1st position in their Feeder League. If the Club finishing in 1st position does not wish to be promoted or fails to meet the entry criteria, then the Club finishing in 2nd position will

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 72 be eligible for promotion. If the Club in 2nd position does not seek promotion or fails to meet the entry criteria, then Clubs down to 5th position may be considered for promotion provided that they meet the appropriate entry criteria. Clubs finishing below 5th position may not be considered for promotion and, ONLY ONE CLUB MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION FROM EACH FEEDER LEAGUE. Each application must be accompanied by the agreed application fee, as determined by the Committee, which is non-refundable. 2.2 Clubs competing in a Feeder League must comply fully with the minimum requirements of Grade 8. To be considered for promotion to Step 6, Clubs must meet the requirements of Grade 7 and attain Grade 6 by 31st March in the year following promotion. Clubs can be promoted from Feeder Leagues to Step 6 without floodlights, provided that that all other requirements of Grade 7 are met by 31st March in the Playing Season in which the Club wishes to gain promotion and that the Club has the following in place: - • Planning permission granted for floodlights. • That by 30th September following promotion that floodlights are installed and in working order. • A development / business plan • Quotations / estimates for the work to be carried out. • Funding applications submitted, if required. Failure to install floodlights in working order by 30th September following promotion will result in a sanction being imposed at the discretion of the League of which the Club is a member. If by 31st March in the year following promotion the floodlights are still not installed, then the Club will be a relegated Club and be dealt with accordingly. 3. Placement of a Club in a League 3.1 The matter of draft placements for Clubs in Feeder Leagues is for the League in conjunction with its Sanctioning Authority. Once drafted, proposed placements are to be submitted to the Committee for ratification by an appropriate date as prescribed by the Committee from time to time. This is save for Clubs being allocated to Feeder Leagues having been relegated from Step 6, which is a matter for the Committee. 3.2 Reserve and ‘A’ teams may participate in Feeder Leagues. Clubs should note the provision concerning Reserve teams at Step 6 under Regulation 7.2 in the ‘National League System Regulations’. 4. Movement of a Club between Leagues 4.1 Movement of a Club from participation in one League to another is not permitted other than by promotion and relegation or otherwise as set out in League Rules save with the approval of the Committee. It may be necessary from time to time to move Clubs laterally at the same Step. Each year the Committee (or sub-committee hereof) will consider whether any lateral movements may be necessary at each Step and the final decision shall rest with the Committee/sub-committee. Only a Club subject to lateral movement from one League to another may appeal that decision pursuant to Regulation 5.2(b). 4.2 Any Club wishing to move from one League to another must make an application in writing to the Committee on or before 31st March in each year to be effective for the following Playing Season. In the event of such application being successful, the League from which the Club is moving shall not levy a financial penalty on that Club. 5. Procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference by the Committee 5.1 The Committee may adopt such procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference as it considers appropriate and expedient, having regard to the aims and objectives set out in Regulation 2. The Committee may require the attendance at a meeting or the written observations of any League or Club, as it considers appropriate to assist its determination. 5.2 (a) Any dispute or difference between a League and a Club relating to promotion and relegation issues, lateral movement and/or other eligibility criteria must be referred for determination to the Committee; such determination shall be final and binding subject only to Arbitration in accordance with Rule K.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 73 (b) Subject to Regulation 4.1 above, any decision of the Committee shall be subject to a right of appeal to an Appeal Board. The decision of that Appeal Board shall be final and binding on all parties. All referrals of appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the Appeal Regulations save for. (i) appeals in relation to Stadium Accreditation decisions where the procedures are outlined in Regulation 5.2(c) below and (ii) appeals in relation to decisions made pursuant to Regulations 4.1 and 4.2 above where the procedures are outlined in Regulation 5.2(d) below. (c) Procedures for Stadium Accreditation Appeals (i) The ratification of the Stadium Accreditation decision must be sent in writing within 14 days of the final decision date, currently 31st March. (ii) Appeals in relation to Stadium Accreditation Appeals must be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days from the date of the written decision outlining the Grounds of Appeal, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (iii) The Committee will appear before an Appeal Board with the Appellant to respond to the application and there is no requirement to make a formal response in writing. (iv) In all cases the Committee will submit any documentation including the Stadium Accreditation report that was considered by the Committee in relation to the Stadium Accreditation decision, (which the appellant would already have received). (v) Dates would be set annually in advance by the Judicial Services Department for the hearing of Stadium Accreditation appeals and details of the dates would be notified to all Clubs in the correspondence from the Committee notifying the decision of the Stadium Accreditation assessment. (d) Procedures for appeals against decisions made pursuant to Regulation 4.1 and 4.2 (i) Such appeals must be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days from the date of the written decision outlining the Grounds of Appeal, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (ii) The Committee’s response to the appeal shall be submitted to The Association’s Judicial Services Department within seven days of the date the Club’s appeal was submitted, with a copy to The Association’s National League System Department. (iii) In all cases the Committee will submit any documentation considered by the Committee in relation to the relevant decision (which the appellant would already have received) with its response. (iv) The Committee will appear before an Appeal Board with the Appellant for determination of the appeal. (v) Dates would be set annually in advance by the Judicial Services Department for the hearing of such appeals and details of the dates would be notified to the Club in the correspondence from the Committee notifying them of the relevant decision. 5.3 The Committee may, at its discretion, delegate the resolution of any matter, dispute or difference arising under these Regulations to anybody it considers to be appropriate (including a sub- committee or commission which may include members of council not on the Committee or a body constituted by a County Football Association)

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 75 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS & RUNNERS UP Year WINNERS RUNNERS - UP “Double Winners – Lg & Cup” 1957/58 Swanage Town FC 15th Trg. Bn. RASC FC 1958/59 15th Trg. Bn. RASC FC Swanage Town FC 1959/60 Swanage Town FC Bridport FC 1960/61 Swanage Town FC Bridport FC 1961/62 Swanage Town FC Hamworthy FC 1962/63 Parley Sports FC Swanage Town FC 1963/64 Parley Sports FC Longfleet St Marys FC 1964/65 Parley Sports FC Longfleet St Marys FC 1965/66 Parley Sports FC Yeovil Town FC Res 1966/67 Parley Sports FC Hamworthy FC 1967/68 Weymouth FC Res Parley Sports FC 1968/69 Weymouth FC Res Bournemouth Water Co FC 1969/70 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1970/71 Portland Utd FC Bournemouth Water Co FC 1971/72 Parley Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1972/73 Parley Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1973/74 Parley Sports FC Dorchester Town FC Res 1974/75 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1975/76 Parley Sports FC Hamworthy Utd FC 1976/77 Hamworthy Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1977/78 Flight Refuelling FC Parley Sports FC 1978/79 Poole Town FC Res Gillingham Town FC 1979/80 Parley Sports FC Blandford Utd FC 1980/81 Dorchester Town FC Res Holt Utd FC 1981/82 Sherborne Town FC Parley Sports FC 1982/83 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1983/84 Parley Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1984/85 Parley Sports FC Poole Town FC Res 1985/86 Bridport FC Parley Sports FC 1986/87 Bridport FC Parley Sports FC 1987/88 Bridport FC Flight Refuelling FC 1988/89 Shaftesbury FC Westland Sports FC 1989/90 Weymouth FC Res Flight Refuelling FC 1990/91 Dorchester Town FC Res Flight Refuelling FC 1991/92 Blandford Utd FC Westland Sports FC 1992/93 Westland Sports FC Sherborne Town FC 1993/94 Hamworthy Engineering FC Westland Sports FC 1994/95 Hamworthy Engineering FC Bournemouth Sports FC 1995/96 Hamworthy Engineering FC Bridport FC Res 1996/97 Shaftesbury FC Bournemouth Sports FC 1997/98 Sturminster Marshall FC Portland Utd FC 1998/99 Portland Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1999/00 Portland Utd FC Dorchester Town FC Res

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 76 Year WINNERS RUNNERS - UP 2000/01 Hamworthy Recreation FC Portland Utd FC 2001/02 Hamworthy Recreation FC Sherborne Town FC 2002/03 Hamworthy Utd FC Gillingham Town FC 2003/04 Hamworthy Utd FC Dorchester Town FC Res 2004/05 Hamworthy Recreation FC Poole Borough FC 2005/06 Holt Utd FC Sherborne Town FC 2006/07 Westland Sports FC Holt Utd FC 2007/08 Portland Utd FC Gillingham Town FC 2008/09 Portland Utd FC Poole Borough FC 2009/10 Hamworthy Recreation FC Chickerell Utd FC 2010/11 Hamworthy Recreation FC Weymouth FC Res 2011/12 Westland Sports FC Hamworthy Recreation FC 2012/13 Portland Utd FC Wincanton Town FC 2013/14 Portland Utd FC Weymouth FC Res 2014/15 Hamworthy Recreation FC Portland Utd FC 2015/16 Shaftesbury Town FC Portland Utd FC 2016/17 Holt Utd FC Balti Sports FC 2017/18 Hamworthy Recreation FC Westland Sports FC 2018/19 Hamworthy Recreation FC Westland Sports FC 2019/20 No competition due to Coronavirus Pandemic 2020/21 No competition due to Coronavirus Pandemic 2021/22 Hamworthy Recreation FC Merley Cobham Sports FC 2022/23 Holt Utd FC Sturminster Newton Utd FC 2023/24 Sturminster Newton Utd FC Wimborne Town FC Res Sturminster Newton Utd FC – “Double” Winners 2023 / 2024 Both Trophies on display at Barnett Field – Home of SNUFC

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 78 LEAGUE CUP WINNERS & RUNNERS UP Year WINNERS RUNNERS - UP 1957/58 Bridport FC & 15TH Trg. Bn. RASC FC – (Trophy Shared) 1958/59 Bridport FC & 15TH Trg. Bn. RASC FC – (Trophy Shared) 1959/60 Hamworthy FC Swanage Town FC 1960/61 Dorchester Town FC Res Bridport FC 1961/62 Wareham Rangers FC Portland Utd FC 1962/63 Parley Sports FC Bridport FC 1963/64 Parley Sports FC Wareham Rangers FC 1964/65 Parley Sports FC Wareham Rangers FC 1965/66 Yeovil Town FC Res Vickers FC 1966/67 Parley Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1967/68 Parley Sports FC Weymouth FC Res 1968/69 Weymouth FC Res Parley Sports FC 1969/70 Parley Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1970/71 Parley Sports FC Dorchester Town FC Res 1971/72 Parley Sports FC Longfleet St Marys FC 1972/73 Bournemouth Water Co FC Parley Sports FC 1973/74 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1974/75 Parley Sports FC Dorchester Town FC Res 1975/76 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1976/77 Parley Sports FC Gillingham Town FC 1977/78 Blandford Utd FC Hamworthy Utd FC 1978/79 Blandford Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1979/80 Flight Refuelling FC Parley Sports FC 1980/81 Sturminster Newton Utd FC Wareham Rangers FC 1981/82 Sherborne Town FC Flight Refuelling FC 1982/83 Flight Refuelling FC Sherborne Town FC 1983/84 Westland Sports FC Parley Sports FC 1984/85 Sherborne Town FC Portland Utd FC 1985/86 Parley Sports FC Flight Refuelling FC 1986/87 Bridport FC Parley Sports FC 1987/88 Bridport FC Shaftesbury FC 1988/89 Shaftesbury FC Portland Utd FC 1989/90 Hamworthy Utd FC Wareham Rangers FC 1990/91 Flight Refuelling FC Dorchester Town FC Res 1991/92 Dorchester Town FC Res Parley Sports FC 1992/93 Westland Sports FC Portland Utd FC 1993/94 Westland Sports FC Sherborne Town FC 1994/95 Shaftesbury FC Hamworthy Engineering FC 1995/96 Sturminster Newton Utd FC Sherborne Town FC 1996/97 Bournemouth Sports FC Hamworthy Engineering FC 1997/98 Portland Utd FC Westland Sports FC 1998/99 Portland Utd FC Parley Sports FC 1999/00 Portland Utd FC Gillingham Town FC

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 79 Year WINNERS RUNNERS - UP 2000/01 Hamworthy Recreation FC Hamworthy Utd FC 2001/02 Gillingham Town FC Westland Sports FC 2002/03 Holt Utd FC Hamworthy Recreation FC 2003/04 Dorchester Town FC Res Gillingham Town FC 2004/05 Poole Borough FC Holt Utd FC 2005/06 Holt Utd FC Dorchester Utd FC 2006/07 Hamworthy Recreation FC Portland Utd FC 2007/08 Hamworthy Recreation FC Westland Sports FC 2008/09 Portland Utd FC Chickerell Utd FC 2009/10 Swanage Town & Herston FC Westland Sports FC 2010/11 Weymouth FC Res Merley Cobham Sports FC 2011/12 Westland Sports FC Hamworthy Recreation FC 2012/13 Holt Utd FC Portland Utd FC 2013/14 Hamworthy Recreation FC Portland Utd FC 2014/15 Hamworthy Recreation FC Mere Town FC 2015/16 Merley Cobham Sports FC Sherborne Town FC Res 2016/17 Swanage Town & Herston FC Gillingham Town FC Res 2017/18 Westland Sports FC Hamworthy Recreation FC 2018/19 Merley Cobham Sports FC Westland Sports FC 2019/20 No competition due to Coronavirus Pandemic 2020/21 Merley Cobham Sports FC Hamworthy Recreation FC 2021/22 Hamworthy Recreation FC Merley Cobham Sports FC 2022/23 Sturminster Newton Utd FC Sturminster Marshall FC 2023/24 Sturminster Newton Utd FC Wimborne Town FC Res

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 81 ANNUAL AWARDS The Edgar Maidment Trophy 2003/04 HAMWORTHY UNITED FC 2004/05 DORCHESTER TOWN FC RESERVES 2005/06 POOLE BOROUGH FC 2006/07 No Competition 2007/08 HAMWORTHY RECREATION FC 2008/09 PORTLAND UNITED FC 2009/10 POOLE BOROUGH FC 2010/11 HAMWORTHY RECREATION FC 2011/12 DORSET PREMIER FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2012/13 DORSET PREMIER FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2013/14 DORSET PREMIER FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2014/15 No Competition 2015/16 No Competition 2016/17 No Competition 2017/18 No Competition 2018/19 No Competition 2019/20 No Competition 2020/21 No Competition 2021/22 No Competition 2022/23 No Competition 2023/24 No Competition The Trevor Williams Fair Play Cup 1992/93 SHERBORNE TOWN FC 1993/94 BOURNEMOUTH SPORTS FC 1994/95 BOURNEMOUTH SPORTS FC & WEYMOUTH FC RESERVES 1995/96 ALLENDALE FC 1996/97 PORTLAND UNITED FC 1997/98 PORTLAND UNITED FC 1998/99 ALLENDALE FC 1999/00 SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON FC 2000/01 ALLENDALE FC 2001/02 DORCHESTER TOWN FC RESERVES 2002/03 BOURNEMOUTH SPORTS FC 2003/04 DORCHESTER TOWN FC RESERVES 2004/05 WAREHAM RANGERS FC 2005/06 HAMWORTHY RECREATION FC 2006/07 HAMWORTHY RECREATION FC & GILLINGHAM TOWN FC 2007/08 GILLINGHAM TOWN FC 2008/09 BRIDPORT FC RESERVES 2009/10 WEYMOUTH FC RESERVES 2010/11 PORTLAND UNITED FC 2011/12 WINCANTON TOWN FC 2012/13 WINCANTON TOWN FC 2013/14 HAMWORTHY UNITED FC RESERVES 2014/15 SHAFTESBURY TOWN FC 2015/16 BLANDFORD UNITED FC

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 88 INTER LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES SENIOR 1984/85 Combination League 2 - 4 Wiltshire League Won on Pens 1985/86 Wiltshire League 0 - 1 Combination League 1986/87 Combination League 3 - 0 Wiltshire League 1987/88 Wiltshire League 0 - 2 Combination League 1988/89 Combination League 4 - 1 Wiltshire League 1989/90 Wiltshire League 1 - 3 Combination League 1990/91 Combination League 4 - 1 Wiltshire League 1991/92 Wiltshire League 1 - 3 Combination League 1992/93 Combination League 1 - 0 Wiltshire League 1993/94 Wiltshire League 3 - 0 Combination League 1994/95 Hampshire League 0 - 3 Combination League Combination League 1 - 0 Wiltshire League 1995/96 Combination League 1 - 1 Hampshire League 1996/97 Wiltshire League 3 - 5 Combination League Won on Pens 1997/98 Combination League 1 - 0 Wiltshire League 1998/99 Wiltshire League 0 - 1 Combination League 1999/00 Bournemouth FA 2 - 3 Combination League Combination League 0 - 1 Wiltshire League 2001/02 Wiltshire League 14 - 13 Combination League Won on Pens 2005/06 Wiltshire League 1 - 0 Dorset Premier League 2011/12 Bournemouth FA 1 - 2 Dorset Premier League Edgar Maidment Shield 2012/13 Dorset Premier League 4 - 1 Bournemouth FA Edgar Maidment Shield 2013/14 Bournemouth FA 0 - 1 Dorset Premier League BDH Inter League Cup 2014/15 Dorset Premier League 3 - 0 Dorset Football League BDH Inter League Cup – Comp not Completed 2015/16 Dorset Premier League 1 - 0 Hampshire Premier League BDH Inter League Cup 2017/18 Dorset Premier League 7 - 1 Army Intelligence Corp 2018/19 Dorset Football League 0 - 2 Dorset Premier League INTERMEDIATE 1997/98 Bournemouth FA 1 - 0 Combination League 1998/99 Bournemouth FA 4 - 0 Combination League UNDER 21 1997/98 Bournemouth FA 0 - 5 Combination League 1998/99 Bournemouth FA 3 - 2 Combination League 1999/00 Combination League 0 - 2 Bournemouth FA 2000/01 Combination League 6 - 5 Bournemouth FA Won on Pens 2001/02 Bournemouth FA 4 - 0 Combination League

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 89 THE FA NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM CUP 2003/04 Rnd 1 Home Hampshire League Won 3 - 1 Rnd 2 Home South Western League Lost 1 - 0 2005/06 Rnd 1 Home Gloucestershire League Won 3 - 2 Rnd 2 Home Guernsey League Lost 5 - 4 2007/08 Rnd 1 Home Hampshire League Lost 2 - 1 Hampshire Lg withdrew due to Rule Infringement Rnd 2 Home South Western League Won 3 - 2 Qtr Final Away Southern Amateur League Lost 3 - 1 AET – 1-1 @ FT 2009/10 Prelim Away Brighton & Hove District League Won 3 - 0 Rnd 1 Home Sussex County League (Div 3) Won 5 - 2 AET – 2-2 @ FT Rnd 2 Away Bedfordshire Football League Won 2 - 1 Qtr Final Away Jersey Combination League Won 1 - 0 Semi Final Away Guernsey League Lost 1 - 0 2011/12 Prelim Home Hampshire Premier League Won 2 - 2 5-4 on Penalties - AET – 2-2 @ FT Dorset Premier Lg withdrew due to Rule Infringement 2013/14 Rnd 1 Away Wiltshire Premier League Won 5 - 0 Rnd 2 Away Kent County League Won 1 - 0 Qtr Final Home Jersey Combination League Won 1 - 0 Semi Final Away Herts Senior County League Lost 4 - 2 AET – 2-2 @ FT 2015/16 Rnd 1 Away Peterborough & District League Won 4 - 3 Rnd 2 Away Herts Senior County League Lost 3 - 0 2017/18 Rnd 1 Home Kent County League Lost 3 - 2 2019/20 Rnd 1 Home Mid Sussex League Won - Mid Sussex League withdrew from Competition Rnd 2 Away Guernsey League Won 3 - 3 5-4 on Penalties - AET – 3-3 @ FT Qtr Final Home Peterborough & District League Won 1 - 0 Semi Final Home Jersey Combination League Lost 5 - 2 2021/22 No Competition held due to the Coronavirus Pandemic 2023/24 Away Thames Valley Premier League Lost 2 - 0

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 90 Ground Grading Rules for Season 2024/2025 1 Clubs wishing to be considered for Promotion from the Dorset Football League and / or Other Leagues, must make an application giving their notice of intention, in writing to the Dorset Premier Football League General Secretary by the 31st of December in any Year and at the same time give notice of their intention also in writing to the General Secretary of the League currently being played in. 2 FULL Applications by Clubs, MUST be made in writing to the Dorset Premier Football League General Secretary, AND must be accompanied by the League Entry Fee of £50.00 which shall be returned in the event of non-election by the 1st of May in any Year. If Elected, New Clubs entering the Competition must also pay a £50.00 Deposit which will be refunded if they leave the Dorset Premier Football League within the Competition Rules. 3 On receiving a FULL Application, with the applicable Documentation Required & Fees by the 1st of May in any Year. The League’s General Secretary will arrange for a Ground Grading Inspection to be carried out, to be scheduled, no later than MAY 24th in any year. (New) Clubs applying for membership will be invited for interview by the League Management Committee to its meeting in May. (Scheduled for the Last Thursday) PLEASE NOTE ALL items appertaining to the League’s Ground Grading Criteria must be in place at the time of the Scheduled Inspection, including any documentary evidence to support the Grading Works # If further works are identified following this inspection, they must be COMPLETED IN FULL by, the 3rd Saturday in June in any Year. # Please contact the League’s General Secretary for details. 4 A non-returnable Grading fee of £25.00 will be charged to ALL New Clubs seeking membership of the Dorset Premier Football League and an appropriate fee to cover expenses will be charged to existing member Clubs requesting an inspection for upgrading purposes. 5 Where a Club does not own the Freehold of their Ground Then Evidence of at least 3 Years Security of Tenure MUST be provided at the time of the FULL Application. This will be in line with the principles of Rule 2.3.2 from the FA’s Standardised Rules. 6 Any Club having previously been a member of the Dorset Premier Football League will be re-graded before being considered for re acceptance into membership, except those Clubs relegated or seeking demotion from Step 6 of the National League System who have already attained the “G” grading. 7 Clubs MUST provide a copy of their last Committee meeting minutes and an up-to-date detailed Financial Statement to include Income & Expenditure, at the time of the FULL Application 8 All New Applying Club Secretaries MUST have full access to E-mail & Internet Services and will be required to Read & Fully understand the Rules of the Competition(s) as laid out in the League handbook 9 The Dorset Premier Football League is an ENGLAND FOOTBALL ACCREDITED LEAGUE awarded in 2011 (previously as the FA Charter Standard League.)

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 92 GRADING CRITERIA 1. GROUND 1.1 Security of Tenure Where a Club does not own the freehold of their ground then evidence of at least 3 years’ security of tenure must be provided. This will be in-line with the principles of Rule 2.3.2 from The FA’s Standardised Rules. 1.2 Ground Share Ground sharing would be at the discretion of each League within the National League System, taking into account local circumstances. Where ground sharing is permitted the Club must have sole control over and use of facilities on match days. Ground sharing must not be allowed in order for a Club to gain promotion. 1.3 Capacity There is no stated ground capacity. 1.4 Boundary of Ground There is no requirement for a ground to be enclosed in any way. 1.5 Clubhouse A clubhouse facility, whilst being desirable, is not compulsory. If a clubhouse facility exists either on or adjacent to the ground, this should be open on match days to provide refreshments to spectators. 1.6 Car Parking There should be adequate car parking facilities on or adjacent to the ground. 1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier There must be a pitch perimeter barrier, which shall be of solid construction (i.e. steel, concrete or wood stanchions, with steel cross tubes). Ideal height should not exceed 1.1 metres. Any barriers installed at new grounds should be purposed designed, with integrated infill panels as required and be made from UPVC or coated metal. The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction may be infilled. Advertising boards may be acceptable as a means of infill. There should be a minimum of 1.83 metres, ideally 2 metres, between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier. 1.8 Pitch Standards The playing surface will be grass, unless otherwise authorised by the respective League Rules and must be of an acceptable standard. It must be free from depressions and excessive undulations. The maximum slope allowable shall not exceed an even gradient of vertical to horizontal 1:41 in any direction. 3G football turf may only be used provided conditions (i) to (v) below have been met (the Performance Standard”): (i) The pitch must be surfaced with 3G football turf that has laboratory type approval according to the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf (2012 & 2015 editions) – FIFA Recommended One Star/Quality level. (ii) The 3G football turf pitch must be listed on The Association’s register of 3G football turf pitches before use is permitted. (iii) Where a 3G football turf pitch is not yet listed on The Association’s register (for example if it is a newly installed pitch), a Club must obtain a Laboratory Performance Test Report and submit it to The Association. (iv) The Association reserves the right to instruct a Club to have its pitch tested at any time in order to ensure that it meets the Performance Standard. All such tests shall be at the Club’s expense. (v) The 3G football turf, including run-offs, shall be one continuous playing surface and shall be green in colour at least one metre from the outer edge of the touchline and goal line. All line markings shall be in accordance with the Laws of Association Football. It should be noted that:

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 93 To achieve the FIFA Quality performance standard that a pitch must be a minimum of 100 metres x 64 metres. • For a Club to use a 3G football turf pitch at Step 6 or above it would be subject to annual testing, which would be at the Club’s expense. 1.9 Playing Area The playing area is to be in accordance with the requirements of the Laws of the Game. Law 1 states that the length of the touchline must be greater that the length of the goal line. Length - Minimum 100m (109 yds.) Maximum 120m (130 yds.) Width - Minimum 64m (70 yds.) Maximum 90m (100 yds.) It should be noted that at Grade H the playing area must be a minimum of 100 metres x 64 metres, and this is the recommended minimum size at Step 7. Goal posts and goal net supports should be of professional manufacture and conform to the current safety requirements and to the requirements of the Laws of the Game. Reference should be made to the Goalpost Safety Information booklet published by The Football Association. 1.10 Technical Area Trainers’ boxes must be provided and clearly marked ‘HOME’ and ‘AWAY’. These shall be of solid construction, and seat at least 8 persons. Portable trainers’ boxes are permitted and must be securely fixed when in use. A Technical Area shall be marked out in accordance with the guidance contained in the ‘Laws of the Game’ booklet. 1.11 Secure Walkway A secure walkway is not a requirement. 1.12 Floodlighting Floodlighting is not compulsory at this Grade. However, where it is provided it must be to an average lux reading of 120. No single reading can be less than one quarter of the highest reading to ensure an even spread of light. Reading shall be on a grid of 88 markings (8 across, 11 down) evenly spaced with the outside readings falling on the pitch boundary line. The average of all the readings is taken to be the average illumination level in lux of the floodlighting installation. The lux values must be tested every two years in accordance with current guidelines by an approved independent contractor. When new or improved installations are being planned, an average lux reading of 180 should be provided. 1.13 Public Address System A public address system is not compulsory. 1.14 Entrances There is no requirement for fixed entry points. However, where a turnstile is installed, it must be fully operational and be of the controlled revolving type. 1.15 Exits Where fixed exit points are provided, there must be sufficient to ensure the safe evacuation of the ground if necessary. All exits must be clearly signposted. 1.16 Adjoining Pitches No other matches shall be played on adjoining pitches whilst League or Cup matches are in progress. 1.17 Emergency Access Access for emergency services should be provided.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 94 2. SPECTATOR FACILITIES 2.1 Seated Accommodation Seated accommodation is not a requirement. 2.2 Covered Standing Accommodation Covered standing accommodation is DESIRABLE but not mandatory and if provided must be for a minimum of 50 people. This must be of a solid construction. 2.3 Hard standing Is not compulsory, however, where it is provided it must be a minimum width of 0.9 metres, measured from the spectator side of the pitch perimeter barrier where provided. 2.4 Toilets Toilet facilities for spectators must be provided on ground and must also be separate to the Players & Match Officials 2.5 Refreshment Facilities Refreshment facilities for spectators must be available on match days and may be of a temporary or mobile type. 3. DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES 3.1 Players Separate dressing rooms must be provided for both teams. Existing dressing room dimensions will be in order, provided they are of a minimum of 12 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. However, Clubs wishing to progress should be aware of the need to increase to a minimum of 18 square metres. Where Clubs are planning to build new changing rooms, these must be planned to be a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Each dressing room should have the following: A shower area comprising of at least 3 working shower heads - if not located in the dressing room, then they must be located adjacent to it. Hot and cold running water Adequate toilet facilities exclusively for the use of players - if not located in the dressing room, then they must be located adjacent to it, and they must not be accessible to the general public. Shared shower facilities are not acceptable. Ideally, separate toilet facilities should be provided for each team. It is not acceptable for players and match officials to share toilet facilities. In order to be considered for promotion to step 6, clubs must have ensuite shower and toilet facilities with a minimum of 4 shower heads. 3.2 Match Officials Separate dressing rooms must be provided for match officials, the minimum size of which shall be 4 square metres excluding shower and toilet areas. Each match officials' changing room should have the following: At least 1 working shower head. Hot and cold running water. Adequate toilet facilities, exclusively for the use of match officials, which must be separate from those provided for the players. These do not necessarily need to be situated in the dressing room but must not be accessible to the general public. Provision should be made for changing accommodation for both male and female match officials. When new changing rooms are being planned or existing changing rooms refurbished an area of 6 square metres and facilities for mixed gender match officials should be provided. In order to comply with the G Grade after promotion to Step 6, clubs must provide en suite shower and toilet facilities for the match officials. All dressing room areas to be maintained to a high level of cleanliness and secure on match days.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 96 NATIONAL GROUND GRADING (Appropriate to entry to NLS Step 6) NB The suitability of all installations shall be at the sole discretion of the FA Ground Grading Technical Panel. When considering any developments of the ground to comply with the requirements of this grade, clubs are recommended to bear in mind the criteria for higher grading’s which might be achieved for minimal additional expense. 1. GROUND It must be possible for spectators to view the match, either standing or seated, for the full length of at least 2 sides of the playing area. Where a side is designated as spectator-free, measures must be in place to ensure there is no unauthorised access. The location of the ground, in so far as its relation to the conurbation whose name the club bears, or is traditionally associated with, must meet with the approval of both The Football Association and the Board of Directors or Management Committee of the league of which it is in membership. 1.1 Security of Tenure The club must demonstrate security of tenure as required by The Football Association and the league of which it is a member. (Standardised rule 2.3.2) 1.2 Ground Share Ground sharing is permitted in accordance with the provisions of individual league rules and the Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of the National League System. 1.3 Capacity There is no minimum capacity at this level, but a club should be mindful that the minimum requirement for Grade D is 1,300. 1.4 Boundary of Ground The ground must be enclosed by a boundary, not necessarily of a permanent nature. As a general rule, the minimum height, when measured from outside the ground, must be 1.83 metres. It should be noted that at higher grades (E and above) the boundary fence should be of a construction to prevent viewing from outside the ground. 1.5 Clubhouse There must be a clubhouse facility either on the ground or in the near vicinity and which must be open on match days to provide refreshments to spectators. NB for Grade G and above, the clubhouse, if not on the ground, must be immediately adjacent to it. 1.6 Car Parking There should be adequate car parking facilities on or adjacent to the ground. Car parking within the ground may not be acceptable. 1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier Subject to the provisions detailed below, there must be a permanent fixed barrier ideally 1.1 m high as measured from the spectator side, of sound construction (e.g. concrete and steel) and free from all sharp edges, surrounding

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 97 the pitch on all sides that may be occupied by spectators. Existing barriers/rails not at 1.1m high may be acceptable, provided they meet the requirements set out in 1.7 of the Appendix. Any barriers installed at new grounds should be purposed designed, with integrated infill panels as required and be made from UPVC or coated metal. The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction may be infilled. Plastic multi-purpose hi-vis fencing is not considered suitable for infill. There must be a minimum of 1.83 metres, ideally 2 metres, between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier. In the case of new stadium, the minimum must be 3 metres. Immediately in front of an area of seated accommodation the boundary of the playing area may be indicated by means other than a permanent fixed barrier, provided the Club is able to provide assurances that no spectator be allowed to stand in this area to watch the match. Where there is a walkway in front of a standing terrace which is itself fronted by a crush barrier that has itself been subject to an annual risk assessment and, if necessary, tested, an alternative to a fixed barrier (e.g. A-frames) may be used, provided no spectators are allowed to stand in this area to watch the match. The Club must implement a safety management system to ensure this and also to protect the integrity of the playing area. NB where A-frames are utilised instead of a fixed barrier, they must be continuous. (See also Appendix) 1.8 Pitch Standards The playing surface must be grass, unless otherwise authorised by the Competition’s Board of Directors, and must be of the highest possible standard. It must be level and free from surface depressions and excessive undulations. The maximum slope allowable shall not exceed an even gradient of vertical to horizontal 1: 41 in any direction. NB When a new pitch is being developed or significant improvements made to a pitch, the gradient of 1:41 would not be acceptable and the pitch must be constructed with reference to the FA Performance Quality Standard. The playing surface must be maintained to a standard acceptable to the competition in which the club is playing or seeks to play. 3G football turf 3G football turf may only be used provided conditions (i) to (v) below have been met (the “Performance Standard”): (i) The pitch must be surfaced with 3G football turf that has laboratory type approval according to the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf (2012 & 2015 editions) - FIFA Recommended One Star/Quality level. (ii) The 3G football turf pitch must be listed on The Association’s register of 3G football turf pitches by no later than 31 May and tested annually at the Club's expense. (iii) Where a 3G football turf pitch is not yet listed on The Association’s register (for example if it is a newly installed pitch), a Club must obtain a Laboratory performance test Report and submit it to The Association by no later than 31 July. (iv) The Association reserves the right to instruct a Club to have its pitch tested at any time in order to ensure that it meets the Performance Standard. All such tests shall be at the Club’s expense. (v) The 3G football turf, including run-offs, shall be one continuous playing surface and shall be green in colour at least one metre from the outer edge of the touchline and goal line. All line markings shall be in accordance with the Laws of Association Football. 1.9 Playing Area The playing area must be a minimum of 100 metres x 64 metres and must conform to the requirements of the Laws of the Game. Goalposts and goal net supports should be of professional manufacture and conform to the relevant safety requirements and to the requirements of the Laws of the Game. (See also Appendix)

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 98 1.10 Technical Area Two covered trainers’ boxes clearly marked “Home” and “Away or Visitors” must be provided unless adequate provision is made in a seated stand. They must be on the same side of the pitch ideally either side of the halfway line, ideally both equidistant from it and ideally a minimum of 3 metres apart and provide an unobstructed view of the playing area. NB When new boxes are being constructed or installed, they must be on each side of the halfway line, equidistant from it and a minimum of 3 metres apart. Each box should accommodate at least 8 persons on fixed seats or benches. Where bench seating is provided, a minimum of 0.5 m must be allowed for each person (i.e. 8 persons require a minimum of 4 metres.). Portable trainers’ boxes are permitted but must be securely fixed when in use. A technical area must be marked out, in accordance with the guidance contained in the ‘Laws of the Game’ booklet. 1.11 Safe Walkway There must be a safe, unimpeded passage for players and match officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch. The design of the safe walkway will inevitably differ from ground to ground, and it will rarely guarantee the safe passage of players and match officials unless supplemented by stewards. A club should implement procedures appropriate to the structure and be ready to respond to on the field situations which might affect spectator behaviour. 1.12 Floodlighting Floodlights must be provided to an average lux reading of at least 120. No single reading can be less than one quarter of the highest reading so as to ensure an even spread of light. NB When installing a new system, clubs are advised to check any planning restrictions for its use. Reading shall be on a grid of 88 markings (8 across, 11 down) evenly spaced with the outside readings falling on the pitch boundary line. The average of all the readings is taken to be the average illumination level in lux of the floodlighting installation. The lux values must be tested every two years in accordance with current guidelines by an approved independent contractor. Floodlights must be retested after any significant alterations. Existing certification will be accepted provided that the test was carried out within the last two years unless work has been carried out at the ground which may have affected previous readings. It is also recommended that at the same time as testing the lights clubs also test the electrical supply within the ground to ensure that the system complies with current electrical standards and request a visual inspection of the columns for signs of corrosion, fatigue, and overloading. An example of an “approved” contractor is one which is in possession of the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) Approved Contractors Award or ISO 9000/BS 5750 (International Standards/British Standards) or is a member of the Electrical Contractors' Association. Alternatively, it can be a contractor deemed acceptable by the league. The contractor must, when detailing the lux values, give confirmation in writing of the date when the illumination test equipment used was last calibrated. When new or improved installations are being planned, the lighting procured must meet BS 12193 Class 2 and have an average lux reading of at least 200. 1.13 Public Address System A public address system is not compulsory for this grade, but clubs must be mindful that it may be necessary to convey information to spectators in the event of an emergency.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 99 1.14 Entrances There must be at least 1 fully operational turnstile (which must be of the revolving type) or a pay box where a charge for entry to the ground can be taken. In both cases a grille or similar for the payment window and a lock that can be operated from inside must be incorporated. Electronic turnstiles with bar code readers are also acceptable but an emergency procedure must be in place in the event of a power failure. Adequate protection and security must be incorporated for the turnstile operator or, where tickets are sold from a box office, the cashier. It must be possible to gain access to the spectator viewing areas from the turnstiles via a bound surface to a minimum width of 0.9 metre. 1.15 Exits All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with “running man” signs, and are to be kept clear and free from obstructions. (For further information, reference should be made to the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.) There must be access via a bound surface to all exits from the nearest spectator viewing areas. 1.16 Lighting (See Appendix) 1.17 Adjoining Pitches Where deemed that they are likely to interfere with the playing of a match, ball games will not be played on adjoining pitches whilst a match is in progress. 1.18 Emergency Access Access must be provided for the emergency services and maintained free from obstruction. 2. SPECTATOR FACILITIES 2.1 Spectator Accommodation The minimum covered accommodation must be 50. Covered accommodation must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. Existing timber stands are only acceptable subject to a fire risk assessment conducted by a competent person. Any seating must afford a good view of the pitch and be clean, functional and in good condition. Bench seating will be permitted if it is in good repair and that individual spaces (min 500mm) are clearly marked. Standing spectators are not allowed in or near a seated spectator stand where they can obstruct views. Areas where spectators are not permitted to stand must be clearly marked with yellow hatched markings. Alternatively, appropriate signage may be acceptable. Hard standing to a minimum width of 0.9 metre, measured from the spectator side of the pitch perimeter barrier, must be provided on a minimum of 2 adjacent end/sides of the ground with direct access from the entrance. The surface must be tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound material Where a club shares its ground with a cricket club which limits the amount of permanent hard standing which can be installed, a maximum of one side or end of temporary flooring made of a polypropylene material or such like may be acceptable. Precise details of the specification must be supplied to the league and The Football Association before its installation. Spectators must not be permitted to access any end/side without hard standing. 2.2 Press Seating There is no requirement for dedicated press seating.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 100 2.3 Terracing Where terracing is provided, it must comply with the requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. All terracing must be in a sound condition. Terracing that is crumbling, has grass/weeds growing through it or has broken or loose concrete will not be accepted. Any level surface within the ground should ideally be hard standing, such as tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound surface. However, flat and well-maintained grassed areas may be accepted. The use of tree bark instead of grass may be acceptable, subject to prior permission being obtained from the league and The Football Association. 2.4 Toilets Toilets must be located within the ground and must be accessible both to male and to female spectators. NB Where it is necessary to exit the ground to gain access to toilets located in an adjacent clubhouse, these may be deemed acceptable, provided no great distance is involved. A minimum of 2 WCs must be provided. In addition, wash hand basins, with running water, warm air hand driers and/or paper towels, together with a supply of toilet paper, must be provided in each toilet area. All toilet areas must be in working order, with a roof and operational lighting, and maintained to a high level of cleanliness. These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile kind but must be connected to the mains supply (i.e. water and power) and main drainage or an acceptable alternative drainage system. They must be fully accessible with permanent access Individual toilet units often known as 'Portaloo’s' are permissible on a temporary basis but may not be included in the minimum toilet requirements. The location of all toilet facilities must be indicated with appropriate signage. 2.5 Refreshment Facilities 2.5.1 Directors/Committee/Guests Refreshments must be made available for visiting officials and guests. 2.5.2 Ground Refreshment Facilities Refreshment facilities must be provided at the ground or the clubhouse. These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile type. 2.6 Disabled Facilities (See Appendix) 2.7 Segregation When segregation is in operation, there must be adequate toilet facilities and refreshment facilities in each segregated area in addition to the appropriate means of egress and exit. 3. DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES 3.1 Players Separate dressing rooms must be provided for both teams within the enclosed area of the ground. The dressing rooms must be of sound construction and be of a permanent nature. Existing dressing room dimensions will be acceptable provided they are a minimum of 12 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Where clubs are

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 101 planning to build new dressing rooms these must be a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Each dressing room must have the following: · A shower area comprising of at least 4 showerheads · At least 1 wash hand basin located outside the shower area. (All the above must have hot and cold running water) · At least 1 WC in a cubicle There must be a treatment table which is clean and in good condition in each dressing room. 3.2 Match Officials The size of the match official’s dressing room must be a minimum of 4 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. When new dressing rooms are being constructed the match officials’ room should be a minimum of 6 square metres in size, excluding shower and toilet areas. Each match officials’ dressing room must have the following: · at least 1 showerhead · 1 wash hand basin · at least 1 WC in a cubicle. This must be for the exclusive use of the match officials but need not necessarily be ensuite Provision must be made for separate dressing rooms for male and female match officials. Where new dressing rooms are being constructed or existing are being re-designed, separate purpose-built facilities for male and female match officials must be provided. There must be an audible electronic warning device (bell or buzzer) in working order located in the match officials’ dressing room, and which is linked to the players’ dressing rooms. All dressing room areas must be maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and be heated, well ventilated, free from damp and secure on match days. 4. MEDICAL A stretcher must be provided for the removal of injured players from the pitch. (See also Appendix) APPENDIX 1. GROUND 1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier It is important to distinguish between a pitch perimeter barrier/rail which exists to separate spectators from the playing area and a crush barrier which has been constructed and tested according to the requirements of the Green Guide. Where the structure cannot be designated as a crush barrier, e.g. its height exceeds 1.1m, the maximum depth of standing behind it is limited to 1.5m and this must be borne in mind in any capacity calculations. It is recognised that the above may not be an issue for normal attendances but, when a larger crowd is anticipated, the Club should be mindful of the associated management issues and, if necessary, take professional advice. Whatever system is employed, a club should be mindful of its responsibility to ensure spectator safety and minimise the possibility of unauthorised incursions on to the playing area. 1.9 Playing Area Reference should be made to the Goalpost Safety information published by The Football Association, and it should be noted that the use of metal cup hooks is prohibited.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 102 1.16 Lighting Whilst their installation is strongly recommended, neither working nor emergency lighting is any longer a grading requirement. Clubs are reminded that they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of spectators entering, leaving, and moving about the ground and, if a ground is used in non-daylight hours, adequate artificial lighting should be provided. Further, consideration must be given by a club to its procedures in the event of a power failure. 2. SPECTATOR FACILITIES 2.5 Disabled Facilities A club must take full account of the needs of disabled spectators and be mindful of its obligations under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Reference made should be made to the publications / data sheets issued by both The Football Association and the Football Foundation. No specific requirement is currently included in the ground grading criteria, but The Football Association strongly recommends that access is provided to both a covered viewing area and toilet and refreshment facilities. 4. MEDICAL All clubs must provide first aid equipment, including a stretcher, for the use of players and spectators. Its location in the ground, if other than in a dedicated treatment room, should be clearly marked by notices placed in the dressing rooms for teams and match officials. There must be a nominated and suitably qualified person in attendance to assist with spectator problems unless the St John Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross Society or other capable agency are in attendance. The requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds are for one first aider per 1000 anticipated spectators, with a minimum of two. If a crowd of less than 2000 is anticipated, known, and practiced arrangements should be in place to summon either a doctor or NHS ambulance alternative. For crowds of over 2000, an experienced crowd doctor should be in attendance. NB The above in no way purports to be a comprehensive list of Health and Safety issues which it is the responsibility of a club to address. Clubs are recommended to arrange regular safety audits conducted by persons with the appropriate expertise.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 103 Guidelines for Temporary Dismissals 24/25 (Sin Bins) Sin bins: encouraging respect and fair play Temporary dismissals also known as 'sin bins' have been introduced across all levels of grassroots football to improve levels of respect and fair play in the game. Any player committing dissent will find themselves given a 10-minute temporary dismissal from the pitch. Sin bins will apply to all levels of grassroots football This positive rule change is currently implemented up to Step 5 of the National League System and Tier 3 and below in the women's football. 10-minute sin bin dismissals are issued at the discretion of referees as punishment for dissent, and apply to all levels of grassroots football, including youth, veterans and disability. WHY AND WHAT ARE SIN BINS? Why have we introduced sin bins? In March 2017, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) gave all National Associations the ability to implement Temporary Dismissals – more commonly known as sin bins – at the grassroots level of the game. We chose to focus on matters of dissent to improve the match day experience and in support of the Respect programme. Has it been trialled? - Was it a success? In 2016/17 season there were over 73,000 cautions for dissent – making up around 25% of all cautions. With this in mind, we decided to pilot sin bins across all types of the game at Step 5 and below of the National League System and Tier 3 and below of the Women’s game in a bid to reduce levels of dissent. In total, 31 leagues have used the system over the past two seasons. During this period, we saw a 38% reduction in dissent across the selected leagues. It also showed a reduction on dismissals for receiving a second caution in a game and abusive language. A survey carried out to obtain feedback from around 1,400 users showed that: 72% of players wanted to continue with sin bins 77% of managers/coaches wanted to continue with sin bins 84% of referees wanted to continue with sin bins The pilot has shown that participant behaviour/match day experience has improved. It also showed players self-policing the game to prevent their colleagues from getting into trouble.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 104 Are there plans to introduce sin bins to the professional game? This is not a matter for The FA as IFAB only permits the use of Sin Bins at grassroots level. We initially trialled sin bins across various leagues at Step 7 and below, and after a successful trial period we are now rolling it out across all leagues at grassroots level, including at youth level. For what offences can I be sent to the sin bin for? Dissent – by word or by action – which is a behavioural matter rather than a football matter. By reducing dissent, we hope to improve the retention of referees while improving the image of the game. What is dissent? Dissent can fall into two categories, either via word or action in the opinion of the referee. CARDS Does a sin binned player still get shown a card? All cautions for dissent must be dealt with by the sin bin process. The referee will signal this by issuing a yellow card in the normal way and pointing to the touchline where the player must go. It can only be administered to active players who are participating. If a substitute, substituted player or coach/manager commits an act of dissent, what happens? Substitutes or substituted players will be cautioned for dissent, as per the 'usual' process that currently applies across football. Technical area occupants can also be shown red and yellow cards as per the Laws of the Game - but this is separate to the sin bin process. TIMINGS How long are you sin binned for and how is it timed? 10 minutes in adult football and eight minutes in youth football. How do the timings work if multiple players are in the sin bin? The referee will monitor these issues simultaneously. Our research of over 135,000 matches showed that less than 1% of matches have more than three cautions for dissent. The chances of those occurring in the same 10-minute period are remote. However, by following the correct caution procedure, the referee can manage multiple players in the sin bin. PLAYERS RE-ENTERING AND LEAVING THE FIELD OF PLAY Where do sin binned players have to go? There isn’t a physical sin bin. In grounds where there are technical areas, the player in question must go to their team’s technical area. Elsewhere, players must leave the pitch and watch from the touchline with other non-playing staff. Can a sin binned player leave the sin bin area? Yes, sin binned players can leave the sin bin area to warm up.

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DPL HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025 105 What happens if the player commits an offence while sin binned? The player would receive another yellow card, if serious a red card. The player would no longer be able to play and cannot be replaced, therefore the team playing with one less player. How and when does a player re-enter the field of play? The player cannot return to play until there is a stoppage of play. DISCIPLINE AND FINES Can you be sin binned multiple times per match? A player can only receive a sin bin if their first yellow card was for dissent, a second yellow card results in a sending off (red card). What happens if the goalkeeper commits an act of dissent? Yes, goalkeepers are covered under the same law as other players and can go into the sin bin. Much like when a goalkeeper is sent off, any other player must go in goal, but the team must remain with 10 players. Upon returning, if during play, the goalkeeper can become an outfield player, and then return to being the goalkeeper during the next stoppage in play. Can I substitute a sin binned player while they are in the sin bin? Yes, at the end of the sin bin time, a substitute can take their place rather than the player in question returning to the pitch, providing they have not used all of their allocated substitutions. Does the sin bin yellow card count towards a player's season tally? Yes, the caution tally would include any sin bin offence Does the player still have to pay the yellow card fine for being sin binned? Players will be required to pay the administration fee for going into the sin bin as per a standard yellow card offence. We want to encourage better behaviour and a simplified process for everyone involved this process now aligns with the FA disciplinary process.