RULES OF SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPRING CUP
- The Competition shall be called the Spring Cup competition which is open to clubs in the Premier Division (Step 5) and Division One (Step 6) in the current season, on a voluntary basis.
- The Competition shall be organised in accordance with the Standardised Rules as determined from time to time by the Football Association, except where varied by these rules.
- The Competition shall be organised into two groups initially, with each club playing each other once. On completion of the group matches, the winner of each group will play the runner up of the opposite group in the semi-final, with the winners of these matches progressing to the final. If teams in either position are level on points, goal difference to decide, if this is the same, goals scored to decide. Should this still not decide the winner, then the result of the match between the two clubs shall decide the winner or then failing resolution, the toss of a coin. The winner of each group shall have home advantage in the semi-final.
- To take part in the Competition, only players registered by 12 March 2021 can play in the Competition.
- Any club found to have played an ineligible player, or players, in a match or matches, shall, in the group matches, have any points gained from the match or matches be deducted from its record up to a maximum of 12 points. If a club is found to have played an ineligible player in the semi-final, they shall be removed from the Competition.
- During the matches each club may at its discretion use up to a maximum of 5 substitutes from 5 nominated, at any time in a match. Each team is only permitted a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during normal time in the match (excluding half time).
- The management of the Competition shall be vested in the Management Committee who shall have power to deal with any matter(s) not covered within these Rules.
- All group matches shall be of 90 minutes duration, with 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In the semi final and final the matches shall be of 90 minutes duration, if after 90 minutes a match ends in a draw, the winning team shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the procedures laid down from time to time by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
- When a match is postponed or abandoned before the completion of 90 minutes, with neither club being at fault, it must be played or replayed on the same ground within 5 days of the original fixture. Any match abandoned through the fault of either or both clubs, shall be dealt with as determined by the Management Committee, including removal of the club(s) from the Competition.
- Any club failing to fulfil its fixture on the appointed date shall forfeit the match to their opponents and may be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff, with, in the group matches, their opponents awarded 3 points. Any expenses unavoidably incurred shall be paid by the offending club to their opponents.
- A Referee and Assistant Referees will be appointed for all matches. A fourth or reserve official will be appointed for the final tie. The costs of the match officials will be the responsibility of the home club, except in the final, where the League will be responsible. All-inclusive Match Officials fees to be as follows: Referee £43, Assistant Referees £35, fourth official, where appointed, £35.
- All protests, claims or complaints relating to these Rules shall be heard and determined by the Board, or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Board. All such protests, claims, complaints and appeals must be received in writing by the Competition Secretary within seven days of the event or decision causing any of these to be submitted. The decision of the Board is final.
- Any appeal against a decision of the Board must be lodged with The FA within fourteen days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the Competition Secretary. All appeals to The FA must be lodged in accordance with the appeals procedure
ADDENDUM TO RULES OF SPRING CUP
- You must follow FA Guidance on the Return of Grassroots Football, already circulated to you.
- These include:
- No use of changing rooms – change outside or come ready changed
- Toilets allowed to open 30 minutes before kick off and 30 minutes after matches
- All government guidance on hygiene and social distancing measures must be followed
- No spectators are allowed
- Home clubs are allowed sufficient officials/committee to manage the home fixture
- Clubs must apply their current Covid Risk Assessment arrangements for home games, to incorporate the requirements of the updated guidance
- Number of away officials allowed to attend their matches limited to a maximum of 8
- No other persons allowed into the ground apart from League Officials
It is extremely important that clubs, players, managers, coaches, physios, match officials, League officials, volunteers, any parents and facility providers continue to strictly follow both the UK Government’s latest guidance on Covid-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from the FA. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported to the local County Football Association.
The Gladwish/SSML Spring Cup 2021
GROUP A
Saturday 10 April
Baldock Town v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (@ County Ground, Letchworth)
Dunstable Town v Shefford Town & Campton
Newport Pagnell Town v Biggleswade United
Saturday 17 April
Biggleswade United v Baldock Town
Dunstable Town v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos
Shefford Town & Campton v Newport Pagnell Town
Saturday 24 April
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Biggleswade United
Baldock Town v Shefford Town & Campton (@ County Ground, Letchworth)
Newport Pagnell Town v Dunstable Town
Saturday 1 May
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Shefford Town & Campton
Biggleswade United v Dunstable Town
Newport Pagnell Town v Baldock Town
Saturday 8 May
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Newport Pagnell Town
Baldock Town v Dunstable Town (@ County Ground, Letchworth)
Shefford Town & Campton v Biggleswade United
Saturday 15 May
Winner Group A v Runners Up Group B
Winner Group B v Runners Up Group A
GROUP B
Saturday 10 April
Leverstock Green v Colney Heath
Rayners Lane v Harefield United
Saturday 17 April
Colney Heath v London Lions
Levestock Green v Rayners Lane
Saturday 24 April
Harefield United v Leverstock Green
Rayners Lane v London Lions
Saturday 1 May
Harefield United v Colney Heath
London Lions v Leverstock Green
Saturday 8 May
Colney Heath v Rayners Lane
London Lions v Harefield United
Saturday 15 May
Winner Group A v Runners Up Group B
Winner Group B v Runners Up Group A