Dear Secretary,
We have come to the end of another season, and we now need to start looking forward
to season 2014/15. This season The FA’s Whole Game System is now available and is
being used for the Affiliation process. To access the Whole Game System Portal, please
click WGS.
The Entry into the Portal requires your FAN or your e-mail address and a password. These
details will be the same as those who have entered Member Services through the County
FA website. If you have not been through Member Services, or have forgotten your
password, there is an option go through the forgotten password, under the login boxes.
As always, we require all sections of the Affiliation Form to be completed and paid in full
no later than 1st July 2014.
With the system being new, The FA have prepared some assistance in terms of videos on
The FA website, which can be viewed by clicking here. It is recommended you view this
before going through the affiliation process.
If the details on the form are incorrect, you will be able to amend them by clicking the
pencil as you progress. You are required to submit contact details for the Club Secretary,
Chairperson and Treasurer, as well as details of where the club will be playing in
2014/15. You have the opportunity to enter individuals through a Lookup function in the
system, but this will only look up those individuals who are currently connected to the
Club. If you have an individual taking up a role who is not available in the lookup, please
contact the County Office.
As in previous seasons, all Youth Clubs and Leagues are required to have an appointed
Child Welfare Officer who has an FA CRC check and has been on a Safeguarding Children
and Welfare Officer Workshop.
If there is any subsequent change of Secretary, Chairperson, Treasurer or CWO, their
address and/or telephone number, you will be able to amend this in Whole Game
System, unless it is a person who has not already been connected to your Club. All
correspondence will be conducted through the Registered Secretary ONLY.
If the Club wishes to change their name, this has to be agreed with the County FA prior to
affiliation, and can only be amended by the County FA. Clubs wishing to change their
name must obtain permission from the Association before they submit it to their League.
In the process, there is a box requesting details of sponsors for the Club and individual
Teams. This can be completed, but by doing this does not mean permission is given to
the Club/Team for the sponsor.
You are asked only to indicate the number of teams you have at the time of affiliation.
Any further additions to these numbers should be notified to the office and the
appropriate fees paid immediately. If you affiliate more teams than you actually have
running, the money is non-refundable. The Whole Game System makes assumptions
each team registered last season is going to affiliate for next season. If this is not going
to be the case, then please tick the deactivate box.
All Clubs are reminded each classification section must be affiliated separately. The
Classification sections are Senior (Premier League, Football League, Step 1-6), Step 7,
Junior (Men’s), Women, Youth and Girls. The Youth and Girls Classification sections
include all teams up to and including Under-18s.
FEES
All Fees will be calculated through the entries which are made. Teams have the
opportunity to enter County Cup Competitions, which are available through the team
page of the affiliation process. Cup entries are subject to being eligible to play in
competitions. The Cup pyramid, for assistance is at the end of the e-mail.
Once again, for season 2014-2015 the Essex County FA will be making available the
handbook online, and will not be including a hard copy for Clubs within the Affiliation Fee.
Should your Club require a handbook, then this will need to be shown on the affiliation
form, with the payment of £5 per hard copy of the handbook which is required.
NOTES FOR COUNTY CUP ENTRIES
Adult Clubs are asked to note they will not be permitted to enter more Cup Competitions
than they have teams, e.g. A Club, applying for entry in the Saturday Premier Cup,
Saturday Junior Cup, Saturday Junior Trophy and Saturday Veterans Cup must run four
teams. If a Club has two teams, both able to enter the Junior Trophy, it will be permitted
for the team in a higher division to gain entry into the Junior Cup.
Youth Clubs who run more than one team at a particular age group will be permitted to
enter three teams at that age group, e.g. A Club with three or more Under 13s teams will
be permitted to enter three teams into the Cordell Under 13s Cup.
The criteria for entering the relevant Cup Competitions are detailed in the enclosed
pyramids.
Clubs should note; if after having submitted an entry to a Cup Competition, a club desires
to withdraw a team(s), written confirmation must be sent to the Essex County FA
Competitions Department. The Club will be liable for a fine and any other penalties as the
Cups and Competitions Committee may decide.
INSURANCE
For season 2014/15, clubs will need to purchase 'Personal Accident' (PA) and 'Public
Liability' (PL) insurance before their affiliation with us can be completed.
Once again, the Essex County FA will be paying the PL Insurance on behalf of all Clubs,
except Senior Status Clubs. When you get to the insurance page, please tick the box
saying “we will purchase Public Liability Insurance through the County FA”. When you
then go in to the product section, you will be required to show the purchase of “1” Public
Liability Insurance from the County FA. This shows as £0, but is required to complete the
affiliation process.
We will require notice of PA being purchased, and you have the ability to upload a copy of
the Insurance mandate through the system.
Many Clubs took advantage last season of, Bluefin Sport, who are The FA’s appointed
broker to deliver the National Game Insurance Scheme (NGIS).
For adult eleven-a-side teams, the Bluefin 'Basic' level of PA cover is the minimum
required by the Essex County FA, and we are contributing £20 towards the cost of Bluefin
cover if you play at Step 7 of the National League System or below.
We would recommend that you look at the range of benefits on offer as you may wish to
upgrade your team's cover. Bluefin Sport’s instalment facility can help you to spread the
cost of your personal accident insurance.
PA cover is also available for youth teams, but not mandatory. This protects players,
committee members, managers, trainers and assistant referees/officials in the event of
an accident arising from football activities. The Essex County FA have agreed to
contribute half towards the cost of the Bluefin ‘Basic’ level.
How do I purchase cover for my teams?
Clubs can purchase cover through the National Game Insurance Scheme via
www.bluefinsport.co.uk/ngis.
Alternatively, you can apply by post by completing the application form which you will find
at the back of the Group Personal Accident brochure. This is available, on request, from
the County Office.
Who should I contact if I have any questions regarding the insurance?
Bluefin Sport.
t: 0845 872 5060
e: [email protected]
Important
* Please note that the Countycover products are only available to clubs and teams
participating at Steps Five and below. If your club, or one of its teams, plays at Step Four
and above, please contact Bluefin Sport as they can provide a separate quotation.
* Cover is not provided for the operation of a licensed premises. This element of cover is
usually provided under a commercial combined insurance policy or, alternatively, Bluefin
Sport can provide a separate quotation.
On the page asking for Insurance Documents, there is a request for the Club’s Accounts
document to be uploaded. This is a request, and is not required to be actioned as part of
the affiliation process. Should the Essex County FA wish to view a copy of the Club’s
accounts, a request will be sent separately.
PAYMENT
Due to be an electronic service, the payment can also be done online. It is strongly
recommended when you complete the process you click the “Pay Later” button. This will
submit the purchases for the County Office to verify, and ensure the appropriate invoice
is prepared for the Club. If the Club pays at the time of completion, and there is a
problem highlighted, then you will be required to either pay more or have a refund made.
Late affiliations will incur an additional fee of £25, which will be added on their return.
Affiliations received after 1st July 2014 will NOT be eligible for entry into County Cup
competitions.
COUNTY CUP CHANGES
The following Rule changes have been agreed by the Essex County FA Council for season
2014-2015:
Rule
No.
1E
Existing Rule
5C
All decisions of the Council shall be final and
binding.
8B
For all Senior Challenge Cup matches, up to
and including the Semi-Final tie, all
registrations must have been received by the
League and/or The Football Association by 12
noon on the day prior to the date originally
fixed for the match. In order to be eligible for
the final tie, players must have been correctly
registered and eligible for the Semi-Finals
round of the Competition.
Third and Subsequent Rounds: Each player
shall be registered with the appropriate
Saturday/Sunday Competition as defined in
Rule 12(F) at least twenty-eight days and
played in at least three matches in the
recognised Competition for said team prior to
the date of the match, during the current
season.
In addition, in Open-age Competition, a player
from a lower ranked team in the same
recognised Competition as defined in Rule
8B
8B
Proposed new Rule
New Rule:
To enter the Saturday and Sunday Premier
Cups, and Womens Cup the teams normal
home ground must as a minimum have
changing rooms, showers and toilet facilities.
All decisions of the Council shall be final and
binding, subject to the right of appeal to the
Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
For all Senior Challenge Cup matches, up to
and including the Semi-Final tie, all registrations
must have been received by the League and/or
The Football Association by 12 noon on the day
prior to the date of the match. In order to be
eligible for the final tie, players must have been
correctly registered and eligible for the SemiFinals round of the Competition.
Third and Subsequent Rounds: Each player
shall be registered with the appropriate
Saturday/Sunday Competition as defined in
Rule 12(F) at least twenty-eight days and played
in at least two matches in the recognised
Competition (League and League Cup fixtures)
for said team prior to the date of the match,
during the current season.
Remove:
In addition, in Open-age Competition, a player
from a lower ranked team in the same
8L
8L
10A
11B
12F(ii)
12F(xii)
12(F), who fulfils all other criteria, shall be recognised Competition as defined in Rule
eligible to play in this Competition.
12(F), who fulfils all other criteria, shall be
eligible to play in this Competition.
A player, who receives payment (above his Delete Rule
allowable expenses) for playing, may play in
the Saturday Premier Cup, but not in any of
the Junior Competitions.
A player on temporary (loan) transfer is A player on temporary (loan) transfer is
ineligible to compete unless permission is ineligible to compete unless permission is given
given by the lending Club in writing and a copy by the lending Club in writing by 12 noon the
is received by the Secretary of the Association working day prior to the date fixed for the
by 12 noon the working day prior to the date playing of the match. A registered trainee or a
fixed for the playing of the match. A registered player who is registered on a scholarship may
trainee or a player who is registered on a play for another Club subject to written
scholarship may play for another Club subject permission being given by the Club he is
to written permission being given by the Club registered to by 12 noon the working day prior
he is registered to which must be received by to the date fixed for playing the Round. The
the Association by 12 noon the working day Association will not give permission for players
prior to the date fixed for playing the Round. on loan to play against the lending Club.
The Association will not give permission for
players on loan to play against the lending
Club.
If the ground of the home Club is not available
on the prescribed date, the choice of ground
shall transfer to the away Club.
In all other Competitions, the Winning Club
must telephone the result of the match to the
designated Cup Officer, between the
stipulated times. Clubs failing to comply with
this Rule will be fined ten pounds (£10).
Saturday Premier Cup - teams of Clubs who
play in an affiliated Saturday league who are
selected by the Council having regard to the
standard of football in which the Clubs are
competing.
Under 18s Pelly Cup - teams of Clubs who play
in an affiliated Sunday league at Under 18s or
Under 17s during the season in which the
team will be competing.
13G(ii)
16
All decisions are final and binding.
In all other Competitions, the Winning Club
must communicate the result of the match via
means as directed by the designated Cup
Officer, between the stipulated times. Clubs
failing to comply with this Rule will be fined ten
pounds (£10).
Saturday Premier Cup - teams of Clubs who play
in an affiliated league who are selected by the
Council having regard to the standard of
football in which the Clubs are competing.
Under 18s Pelly Cup - teams of Clubs who play
in an affiliated league at Under 18s or Under
17s during the season in which the team will be
competing.
Add at end “Any Referee making an early
inspection shall be able to claim allowable
travelling expenses at the stipulated rate for the
competition.”
All decisions are final and binding. Within 3
days of posting of written notification of any
decision of the Competition, a Club against
whom action is taken may appeal against such
decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with
the Secretary of the Essex County Football
Association, including a fee of £35, for
adjudication of a Board of Appeal. The grounds
of the Appeal shall be in accordance with FA
Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the
Appeal Fee to be forfeited and decide if costs
are to be borne. The decision of the Board of
Appeal is final and binding on all parties
concerned.
AGREEMENT
By completing the Affiliation form, the Club are agreeing to the Essex County FA
Application for Membership by a Club, this is:
On behalf of The Club, I apply for membership of the Company. The Club agrees to be
bound by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and any rules and regulations of
the Company and undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company, in the event of
the same being wound-up while it is a member, or within one year after it ceases to be a
Member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Company contracted before it
ceases to be a Member and of the costs charges and expenses of winding-up and for the
adjustment of the rights of the contributions among themselves, such amount as may be
required not exceeding £10 (Ten Pounds).
RECEIPTS
On receipt of a correctly completed form, confirmation will be available through the Portal
in due course.
If you have any queries about the process, please contact the County Office, who will be
able to provide assistance.
On behalf of the Essex County FA, I would like to wish your Club a successful 2014/15
season.
Yours faithfully
G W Hart
Greg Hart
Governance Manager
SATURDAY CUPS PYRAMID
LEAGUE
PREMIER CUP
JUNIOR CUP
-
Premier Division
Cambridgeshire County League
Premier, Senior A & B
Divisions 1A, 1B, 2A & 2B
Colchester & East Essex League
-
Premier Division
Reserve Division
-
Essex & Suffolk Border League
Premier Division and 1
All other Divisions
Essex Business Houses League
-
Premier Division
Bishops Stortford, Stansted
& District League
Eastern Counties League
Essex Olympian League
Essex Senior League
JUNIOR
TROPHY
Senior Divisions P, 1 & Reserve Divisions 1, 2 & 3
2
Reserve Division
-
Halstead & District League
-
-
Herts & District League
-
Premier Division
Ilford & District League
-
Premier Division
Mid Essex League
-
Premier Division
Romford & District League
-
Senior Division
Southend & District League
-
-
Southend Borough Combination
-
Premier Division &
Division 1
All Other
Divisions
SUNDAY CUPS PYRAMID
LEAGUE NAME
PREMIER CUP
JUNIOR CUP
Basildon & District Sunday League
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
Braintree & North Essex Sunday League
Premier Division
Division 1
Brentwood Sunday League
Senior Division
Divisions 1 & 2
Cambridge Sunday League
-
Division 3
Chelmsford & District Sunday Social
League
-
-
Chelmsford Invitational League
-
Premier
Clacton & District Sunday League
Premier Division
Division 1
Colchester & District Sunday League
Premier Division
Division 1
Dagenham & District Sunday League
-
Premier Division
Essex Sunday Corinthian League
Senior Division Premier Division & 1
Essex Sunday Football Combination
Senior Division
Divisions 1 & 2
-
-
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
Independent Sunday League
-
Premier Division
London City Airport Sunday League
-
Premier Division
North West Essex Sunday League
-
Premier Division & 1
Pope & Smith Chelmsford Sunday
League
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
Sceptre Sunday League
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
-
Premier Division & 1
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
-
-
Premier Division
Divisions 1 & 2
-
Premier Division & 1
Ford Sunday League
Harlow & District Sunday League
South Essex Sunday League
Southend Sunday League
The Under-21 League
Thurrock Association Sunday League
Waltham & District League
JUNIOR
TROPHY
All other
Divisions
FEMALE CUPS PYRAMID
LEAGUE NAME
WOMEN’S CUP
The FA Women’s Premier
League
All divisions
South East Women’s
Combination League
All divisions
Eastern Region Women’s
League
All divisions
Essex County Women’s
League
Essex County Girls’ League
March 2014
Premier Division
WOMEN’S TROPHY
All other divisions
U18 divisions