NEWCASTLE FLEXI-FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES 2015/16
Ethos
The ethos of this competition is to provide a ‘less formal’ or ‘more casual’ opportunity to
participate in 11v11 football. Although still competitive in nature; players, coaches, and
spectators should be respectful of each other and play with the spirit of sportsmanship
constantly in mind.
Fixtures
All fixtures take place on Friday nights.
Fixtures will either take place at Benfield Sport Centre’s 3G pitch, or Walker Technology
College’s 3G pitch. All teams will be informed of which venue each of their fixtures will be
played at, and it is the team captain’s responsibility to make sure their team are at the
correct venue.
Fixtures kick-off at 7.40pm an 8.40pm at Benfield.
Fixtures kick-off at 7pm and 8pm at Walker.
A team’s kick-off time and venue will change throughout the competition.
All teams must be on the pitch ready to kick-off at the selected times.
All fixtures, league tables and results can be accessed on the FA Full-Time league website.
All games are 55 minutes in duration. 27 & a half minutes each way with a straight turnaround at half time. OR team captains can both agree to play 55 minutes straight through if
no advantage is to be gained from shooting at a particular end. This must be decided with
the referee before kick-off. As games must finish in time for the next game/pitch booking to
end, playing 55 straight through will be beneficial to maximise playing time.
All fixtures will take place on a 3G rubber crumb pitch. (No metal studs or flat soled trainers
to be worn!). Players found with metal studs or flat soled trainers will not be able to play as it
damages the surface.
Results
The league shall use the FA Full-Time website to make result reporting as quick and simple
as possible.
Each team will nominate two members to receive text messages (sent approx 15 minutes
after their kick-off) asking for their match result. After full-time, at least one of those members
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shall reply (for FREE) to the text by simply stating the score in the requested format. Both
teams must do this within 30minutes of the final-whistle.
Scores will automatically load onto the website. Results will only be visible however once
approved. If text results are different, approval will wait until the actual result is confirmed.
The two members of a team who receive text messages can be changed during the
competition by emailing the new contacts name and mobile number to the league secretary.
Failure to report results will result in a 1 point deduction from your team’s points total.
Teams / Players
Each team shall consist of up to eleven players and up to five substitutes for any one game.
Repeat (or “rolling”) substitutions are allowed, meaning players can go on and off multiple
times. See Substitutions section.
All players must be registered to their team before playing by being included on their Team
List. Blank Team Lists will be sent to captains before the league starts.
Team Lists can be updated anytime by emailing player name, post code, and date of birth of
the player to the league secretary.
A player shall only play for 1 team in the competition.
Forfeiting fixtures
A team must play all of their fixtures unless permission to cancel is obtained from
Northumberland FA. In the case of such permission being granted the League Secretary will
inform both the opposition and the referee.
If a team is unable to complete a fixture the non-cancelling team is awarded a 5-0 victory.
If a team fails to turn up or cannot produce a team of at least 7 players at kick-off a 5-0
walkover is awarded to the opposing team.
Any team failing complete a fixture is responsible for paying their full match fee + half of their
oppositions match fee = £33.
Any team failing to turn up on more than one occasion is liable to be expelled from the
league, without a refund of any moneys paid and be billed for remaining matches.
Substitutions
Each team can have up to five substitutes. All 5 substitutes may be used and repeat
substitutes are permitted. The referee must be informed of any substitution and give
permission for it to occur. Substitutions must be completed as promptly as possible.
Equipment
It is compulsory that all players wear shin guards. No player will be allowed to take part
without shin guards.
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All jewellery and facial piercing must be removed before the start of the game.
The surface has been designed for use with moulded studs, not exceeding 8mm. The
venues never allow the use of spiked running shoes, metal bladed football boots, or metal
football studs on the surface, as these will damage the surface pile.
Referees
It is the responsibility of the League Secretary to appoint a referee for every fixture.
The League Secretary will contact the referee to confirm each fixture. If at that point the
referee is not available the League Secretary will appoint a replacement referee.
If on the day of the match the referee does not arrive the match should go ahead as it is
acceptable for a competent individual to take charge providing both teams verbally agree.
Teams will each receive a £10 refund to their match fee.
The referee will email the league secretary with any cautions/red cards shown and confirm
the match result.
The referee will rule on all decisions, including offside.
The decision of the referee is final and cannot be overruled during a game.
Verbal and/or violent abuse towards referees and/or venue staff and/or opposition and/or
teammates and/or league officials and/or spectators and/or equipment and/or facilities will
not be tolerated under any circumstances. Players or teams will be expelled from the league
with no refund and be reported to Northumberland Football Association Discipline and/or the
police.
Club Colours
Teams must register the colour of its playing kit at the start of the season. The League
Secretary will inform all captains of each team’s playing kit. Where there is the possibility of
a clash the ‘away’ team (second team on the fixture list) will wear their 2nd strip if available,
or wear bibs that the league will provide. No team shall play in black shirts as this will clash
with the referee’s kit.
Competition Format
A round-robin league followed by ‘Finals’ or ‘Play-offs’. The format is subject to change
depending on the number of competing teams. All teams will be informed of the final format
and any format changes.
Scoring System
League:
Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and zero for a loss. League
positions are determined by applying the first of the following rules, which differentiates
them:
 Total points
 Goal difference: Goals scored minus goals conceded
 Goals scored
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 Result(s) between tied teams
 Draw lots
Play-Off/Knockout
If the game is tied at full-time, the game will go straight into a sudden-death penalty shootout to determine a winner.
Discipline (Yellow / Red Cards)
The league and it’s teams are affiliated to the Northumberland Football Association.
The Friday Night Football League will operate a Sin-Bin punishment for yellow cards as a
trial format in replacement of fining clubs £10 for yellow cards. Any player who receives a
yellow card must spend 3 minutes off the field of play. The 3 minutes begins when the player
has left the playing area. This player may not be substituted during their Sin-Bin and their
team must remain a player short for the duration of the Sin-Bin. The Sin-Bin ends when the
referee gives permission for the player to re-enter the field of play.
Any player issued with a second yellow card will receive a red card and must leave the field
of play and also the 3G area for the duration of the match. Ie: a sent off player may not stand
on the side of the pitch. The referee shall also report the red card to the NFA.
Any player who receives a straight red card must leave the field of play and also the 3G for
the duration of the match. The referee shall also report the red card to the NFA.
The NFA will send the appropriate sanctions to the team captain/secretary, detailing the fine
and suspension period. If deemed a serious misconduct charge, suspensions can relate to
all football and not just the Friday Night Football League fixtures.
All red card fines are paid directly to the NFA.
Team Entry and Match Fee Payments
The £10 league entry fee must be paid before a team is accepted into the league. A team’s
place in the league is only confirmed once this payment has been made. The entry fee is
non-refundable.
The £22 match fees must be paid by the Thursday prior to a team’s game on a Friday. This
can be paid by card over the phone or in person at the NFA office. Office hours are 9am4.30pm Mon-Fri. The team organiser will receive a receipt via email confirming each
payment. Late payment, ie: not paying until or after the Friday, will incur a 1 point deduction
for each day payment is not received.
CASH PAYMENTS CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED ON THE NIGHT OF GAMES
Cancellation Policy
All venues (Northumbria University, Newcastle University, and Benfield Sports Centre) and
Northumberland Football Association reserves the right to cancel fixtures due to unforeseen
circumstances. In the event of a cancellation the league secretary will strive to contact all
teams before kick-off to save travelling. If possible the league secretary will rearrange
fixtures to suite the venues and teams affected.
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League Secretary:
David Jones
Northumberland FA
Whitley Park
Whitley Road
Benton
NE12 9FA
0191 270 0700
[email protected]
@NorthumFA
Rules may be subject to change in the event of such changes improving the competition.
Teams will be informed of any changes/additions.
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