FC IRLANDE
The Football Booklet
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Document History
Version
Date
Reason for Change
V1.0
2013
First version
V2.0
November 2015
Updated to reflect the changes in roles and to
remove date specific items.
Dedicated to Brian Kelly (RIP)
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Table of contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Training ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Match Day ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Team Délégué............................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Team Captain ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Director of Football ............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Club Discipline ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
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Introduction
Welcome to "The Football Booklet" which is a reference for every FC Irlande
member.
I would invite you to read this document at your leisure and to keep a copy handy
throughout the season to ensure you know what is expected of you at any given
moment in any given role.
Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the
Director of Football or another member of the Committee.
"C'mon IRLANDE"
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Training
Attendance at training is not compulsory and, of course, some of us have other
commitments as well as football. However, all successful clubs have good
participation at training nights and FC Irlande is no exception.
When selecting teams for Saturday Captains will be encouraged to give priority to
those players that attend training regularly.
Training Ground
The training nights for teams are currently Mondays and Thursdays at the Stade
Communal, Auderghem with exact details of which squads train at which times being
made available on the club’s web-site (www.fcirlande.org).
Players are asked to complete the Doodle on training. This way the trainer will know
how many players are attending and can plan an appropriate training session.
What do I need to bring?
You have to bring your own kit to training including your reversible training bib, which
you will receive after paying your membership fees. Moulded boots suitable for
plastic pitches are advisable.
Non-registered players are welcome to attend training – so if you know any good
players that are not registered with other clubs then feel free to bring them along!
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Match Day
Each team will have either a Tablet (men) or Computer (Ladies) for entering their
team list. This is referred to as the (e)lectronic or e-teamsheet in the remainder of
this document.
FC Irlande match day - Player - What you need
If you want to play for FC Irlande then the captain needs to know you are
available! You should keep your captain informed by using the team's Doodle
(or by e-mailing your captain directly).
The doodle is the only reliable source of information available to your captain and
therefore needs to be filled out accurately. If you are available, fill out the doodle and
do not expect your captain to simply assume that you are available. By the same
token, if you have filled out the doodle but are no longer available, make sure you
update your availability status accordingly. Your captain cannot be expected to
second-guess availability on the doodle or to call around checking whether what is
on the doodle is actually accurate.
Once the team mail has been sent - usually on Friday - you should not simply update
the doodle if you are no longer available, as captains will not be checking the doodle
that often anymore. Call or send a text to your captain, so any amendments required
to the squad can be made in due time.
When playing for FC Irlande you must supply 6 items:
1. Your ID card:
Either your Belgian ID card, residents permit (the blue thing the Commune
give you) or other ID cards (workers in the EU institutions should bring their
"Special Identity card"). If you do not have one of these then you will need a
“federal card”. This is an ABSSA ID card that you will receive when you
register for FC Irlande if requested. If for any reason you have lost, misplace
or are replacing your ID card you must contact our ABSSA Secretary who will
help you get a "temporary playing card" from ABSSA. For the Ladies team,
you need an official identification card.
NO FOOTBALL WITHOUT ONE OF THE ABOVE ID CARDS - THERE ARE
ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS FEDERATION RULE. IF YOU
PLAY WITHOUT A VALID ID CARD THEN THE TEAM WILL
AUTOMATICALLY LOSE THE GAME 0-5 !!!
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In addition to your valid ID card you will require:
2. Men: White shorts;
Ladies: Green shorts
3. Men: White football socks
Ladies: Green and white socks
4. Shin pads (you are unable to play without shin pads).
5. Suitable football boots: Moulded studs are normally sufficient for Belgian
pitches; however, longer studs may be required during the winter months
when the pitches turn to mud. Often we play on synthetic or all-weather
pitches. Normally you will be informed of this before the game. You will be
provided with a football shirt for the duration of the game..
For home games you should be at the pitch one hour before kick off. Kick off
times are different for each of the teams so be sure you know in advance which team
and what time you are due to play. Find your captain, hand over your ID card so that
the team sheet may be completed.
For away games the meeting time will change depending on how far you need to
travel. You need to get this information from your captain or team contact. It is
important to adhere to meeting times which will allow for the trip and your complete
warm up before you play. Usually on arrival at the ground you find your captain,
hand over your ID card so that the team sheet may be completed.
After the match you will be asked to vote for a man of the match (men’s teams). If
it’s you; then it is customary to buy a round of drinks. Bring enough money for this,
as it is considered bad form not to be able to buy a drink for your entire team on such
occasions.
Each player will be required to wash the kit at least one a season. Help your captain
by volunteering to take the kit after the game (and remember to bring it to the next
match).
Enjoy the game!
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Team Délégué
For every home match each team MUST have a team délégué. Their task is to assist
the referee with logistical tasks. Failure to provide a Team Délégué at home games
will result in the forfeit of the game 0-5. For away matches a team délégué is NOT
obligatory – the Captain may also be the délégué.
Tasks of an FC Irlande Team Délégué - Before the game
All team délégués should read these rules of the role of Délégué, as they are very
important and obligatory by Federation rules.
For Home games the team délégué must:
1)
2)
Be a registered FC Irlande player
Wear obligatory white armband for identification (seek armband in
advance).
3) Ask the referee as early as possible if he has everything he needs.
4) Ensure that a medical box is pitch side during game (two are kept at home
ground).
5) Ensure that three match balls are ready (correctly inflated) for the referee at
the start of every game.
6) Collect and arrange ID cards in the order as the team appears on the eteamsheet.
7) Ensure that the opposition receives the e-teamsheet in plenty of time to
complete it and to ensure that you return the e-teamsheet with your team's
details completed1 plus all ID cards at least fifteen minutes before kick off.
8) Supply the match ball to the referee (he may want to see all the match balls).
9) Supply a warm up ball to the opposition.
10) Ensure that water is given to FC Irlande players and opposition players,
before kick-off. Water should be requested from the bar in advance.
11) Recover warm up balls from the opposition
Tasks of an FC Irlande Délégué - During the game
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Ensure that a match ball is always close by in event of ball/balls being kicked
away from the pitch and into trees, onto the next pitch etc.
Ensure the above by making it your responsibility that balls kicked into areas
surrounding the pitch are collected by someone other than the délégué as it
mandatory that the délégué MUST remain pitch side at all time).
Be available to assist the referee at any given moment.
Ensure that the referee gets a drink at half time
Ensure easy access to the medical kit if required.
It is prohibited to either smoke or drink alcohol during your time at pitch side.
Tasks of an FC Irlande Délégué - After the game
Whether the Délégué himself fills in the e-teamsheet for the FC Irlande team, is a matter for discussion
between the captain and the Délégué in advance.
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
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Ensure that all match and warm up balls are collected when the game is
over.
Ensure that the referee completes the e-teamsheet correctly, check for score
and any substitutions and yellow and red cards before putting in your code,
save the match and wait for the final window to appear before uploading to
the ABSSA / URBSFA site.
Pay the referee's fee – the team captain should give you this money in
advance. In general, the amount in question will be €22 plus travel
allowance.
Finally, ensure that the e-teamsheet (electronic sheet) is uploaded to the
ABSSA/ URBSFA side before 18:00hrs.
For Away games if there is a team délégué then he must:
1) Be a registered FC Irlande player
2) Wear obligatory tricolour armband for identification (seek armband in
advance).
3) Check that the referee knows that you and your team have arrived.
4) Seek the e-teamsheet from the opposition's Délégué in plenty of time to
complete it and to ensure that you return the e-teamsheet with your team's
details completed.2 Arrange ID cards in the order as the team appears on the
e-teamsheet and deliver them to the referee at least ten minutes before kick
off.
5) Ensure that the opposition has given your team some footballs for warm up
purposes.
6) Ensure that the opposition has given your team some water prior to taking to
the field.
7) Ensure that the warm up balls are returned to the opposition before the game
commences.
8) Remain in the technical area designated to the away team throughout the
match. It is prohibited to either smoke or drink alcohol during your time at
pitch side.
9) Ensure that the referee completes the e-teamsheet correctly, check for score
and any substitutions and yellow and red cards before putting in your code,
the opposition and the referee finalise the e-teamsheet and saving of the
match details.
Enjoy the game!
Whether the Délégué himself fills in the e-teamsheet for the FC Irlande team, is a matter for discussion
between the captain and the Délégué in advance.
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Team Captain
ROLE OF TEAM CAPTAIN
It is the role of the captain to carry out his duties to the Club by looking after their
respective team. The captain's duties entail:
 They agree with Club rules and principles being an example to their team
mates;
 They communicate with other captains and the Director of Football;
 They work fairly with other captains and encourage our Club's sporting image;
 They attend and encourage team mates to attend the Club's training sessions;
 They encourage better organisation and planning for team selection;
 They lead their team by example on the field of play;
 They respect all refereeing decisions, especially the poor ones;
 They represent the Club's Committee and Members when they lead out their
team;
Squad selection
From the previous season, availability information, pre-season training and newly
recruited players each team captain should have a good idea of their squad for the
coming season. As the season approaches a number of football committee
meetings will take place where it will be obligatory for captains or captain's
representative to be present. Working closely with other captains the squads will be
created allowing some flexibility for players on vacation and not yet registered. It is
essential that created squad lists are complete, with current player information and
contact details. These details are to be stored and managed within our centralised
data system.
Team selection
Each captain will make it known by the Wednesday before match day of his intended
line-up via e-mail to the other captains.
There is no concept of a team or squad (beyond ABSSA’s definition of the squad –
see below) within the club, with every registered player considered to be available for
any of the teams (where ABSSA rules allow).
The Football Committee shall agree a set of priorities for the teams at the start of the
season and the general rule should be that captains shall select their team based on
these priorities. Priorities will be assessed continuously during the season.
The squad will be shared with all the captains and the Director of Football.
To be considered for selection a player must be:
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Registered with ABSSA;
paid up Club member;
not “squadded” in another team (see explanation below);
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available to play on Saturday;
not suspended.
Players must let the Club know of their availability for the coming weeks via Doodle
(or for exceptional reasons via email, telephone or text).
“Squadded” players
In order to prevent that teams field good players in key matches (e.g. the entire 1st
team plays for the 3rd team in a crucial promotion game) the league defines "squads"
per team, as those eleven players who have played the most for that team. No more
than two "squadded" players may play for another team in any particular match.
If a team breaks the rule and picks more than two players squadded with other
teams then they forfeit the game 0-5.
Team Colours
For home matches, the captain should check the opposition’s kit colour (this can be
done on the ABSSA web-site). Should the visiting team play in green, the captain
should ensure that he/she has the second kit before Thursday. The second kit is
normally kept by the Director of Football.
Match Day Pre-Match
Ensure that your team Délégué is aware of their role for your match;
That he has: collected and verified ID cards against the squad on the e-teamsheet;
that he has the appropriate armband;
Home match specific: got match and warm up balls for both teams; supplied water to
opposition; positioned the bucket, sponge and medical kit in the technical area;
Away match specific: got warm up balls from the opposition and procured water from
the opposition;
Ensure that one of the team is assigned to write the match report.
Ensure that one of the team is assigned to wash the kit.
The bottom line is that the Captain must take the ultimate responsibility for his team
Match Day Post Match
Ensure that your team Délégué has verified and signed the e-teamsheet and has
and has made the necessary communications with ABSSA / URBSFA before
18:00hrs (Home games only) – this means uploading the e-teamsheet via the tablet.
Ensure that the man of the match voting sheet is completed (men’s teams)
Remind players that Doodle requires constant updating
Ensure that the kit is collected by the person assigned to wash it.;
All balls & medical kits are collected and stored
Send a brief message (text message) to the Director of Football or Director of
Communication with the match highlights – this is used as input to the weekend
summary on the club’s home page.
The bottom line is that the Captain must take the ultimate responsibility for his team
Statistics
Each captain will be required to supply our Club's statistician with the information so
that we can keep tabs on all aspects of the Club's playing members. Player data
records need to be updated weekly, which allow us to keep track of player
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involvement, such as, number of appearances; number of appearances as a
substitute; goals scored; goal assets; yellow cards; red cards.
If the match report is correctly and accurately completed then this will provide the
necessary statistics. Therefore it is imperative to complete the template match report
and send to the Club Statistician by e-mail on Sunday evening at the latest.
Match Report
In order to ensure that the club’s website is current and up-to-date, the match report
needs to be loaded to the respective team’s web-page before noon on the Monday
following the match.
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Director of Football
ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL
It is the Director of Football's (DOF) role to supervise all football related activities
always acting in the best interests of the Club. The main duties are of the Director
are to: set Club rules in agreement with the committee, President and current
captains;
 ensure Club rules are adhered to;
 communicate with captains and players concerning rules, training and
matches;
 ensure that the work carried out by captains is fair and in the Club's best
interests;
 ensure that the Club's sporting image is improved;
 oversee training and training location selection as well as logistics for each
session;
 attend and encourage Club members to attend the Club's training sessions;
 encourage organisation and meticulous planning for training and match days;
 lead by example on the way to conduct oneself to enhance the Club's image;
 try to improve player's awareness of Club roles and responsibilities;
 try to improve the Club's reputation within our football federation with other
Club's and the leagues hierarchy;
 ensure that Club's Doodles are kept up to date and that they can continue to
be used as an availability management tool;
 decide on the Club's fine structure and implement these fines where
appropriate;
 represent the Club's President, Committees and Members when taking
decisions;
 Ensure each team operates consistently in compliance with Club standards
and league requirements;
 Evaluate needs and process of recruiting new players to the player's pool.
Acquire data and monitor movement of players in and out of the Club and
between teams. Track the progress of new players joining the Club;
 Ensure the interaction between the Club and ABSSA are of a consistently
high level;
 They set goals for each team in agreement with each team captain;
 Assess number of players reaching the appropriate age and requesting to
play Vets Football in the next few years and the potential impact on the other
teams;
 Manage any serious breaches of discipline which may impact the Club's
image;
 Arbitrate between captains should any issues have to be resolved. Raise any
important issues brought by individual players to the attention of the team
captains;
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Club Discipline
The club expects each member to conduct himself or herself in a manner that does
not bring the club into disrepute.
Each yellow or red card that players pick up has a financial impact on the club, each
season this amounts to a serious amount of money.
Any serious foul play or persistent infringement will result in the player involved being
called in front of the Football Committee and could lead to the club imposing a
suspension above and beyond any sanction imposed by the football league.
For serious breaches of discipline the Football Committee may consider a
suspension. Any sanctions imposed by the Football Committee shall be independent
of those laid down by the league.
This Football Committee will meet throughout the season to develop the above rules
whenever they see fit. Any amendments to these rules will be circulated to all Club
Members via the Club Mailing List.
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