PDFL Handbook 2017 2018

RULES continued

Winners of Match (a) will play winners of Match (b) in Play off Final. Winner of Play Off Final to be promoted to the next higher division Venue of Play Off Finals to be decided by the Board

(D) In the event of a team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 12(D) a completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the Board. (E) In order to recognize services of those Secretaries of at least 5 YEARS STANDING whose Club were winners, or runners-up in their respective divisions, a memento similar to those presented to their players shall be awarded to such Secretaries (free of charge). (G) The lowest Division teams will all play each other once, fixtures to be determined by the Board. Once all matches are con- cluded the teams will be allocated to either Division A or B depending on finishing position (points from this point will be reset to zero). Division A and B teams will all play each other twice in a standard Division format. Automatic Promotion shall be ap- plied to the first two teams in lowest Division A, teams finishing 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th in lowest Division A, shall take part in Play Offs for promotion as determined by the Board. • Team finishing 3rd to play team finishing 6th at venue of 3rd team Match (a) • Team finishing 4th to play team finishing 5th at venue of 4th team Match (b) • Winners of Match (a) will play winners of Match (b) in Play off Final. • Winner of Play Off Final to be promoted to the next higher division • Venue of Play Off Finals to be decided by the Board 13. REFEREES (A) Registered Referees (and Assistant Referees where approved by the FA or County FA) for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Board 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 Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that game, 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 open age competition. Where the teams fail to agree on a substitute referee, the defaulting Club/Clubs will be liable to pay/share expenses. If the game is not played, then both Clubs to give reasons in writing to the Company Secretary within 4 days. Failure to comply fully with this rule will make Defaulting Clubs liable to a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff and will result in being Charged under Rule 10F. When Club officials, officiate they must retain both Clubs Yellow Team Sheets and send to the League Office within 2 days of the match. (F) Promotion and relegation for the Veteran Development Divisions will be determined annually by the Board. (C) Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee. Failure to do so will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff being imposed on the defaulting Team. Club Assistant Referees will need to report to the Referee 15 minutes before the start of each game. Premier Teams must not use a named substitute as an Assistant Referee. Failing to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Assis- tant Referee must wear the League jackets and tops. Failure to observe this rule will make the club liable to a fine in accord- ance with the Fines Tariff (D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final, subject to either in the case of a ground of a local Authority or the owners of the ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted

(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the sanctioning Association Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be

88