Important Information :

Click here for changes to the Handbook ....   (Last change : 21st Sept. 2009)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. (Q) - We do not agree with the fixtures, can you change them ?
   (A) - Contact Fixture Secretary Graham Osborne.


2. (Q) - Who do pitch fees go to ?
   (A) - Cheques for pitch fees should sent to League Treasurer Charles Hewitt.


3. (Q) - How much are pitch fees ?
   (A) - £75.00 for one team, £150.00 for two teams.


4. (Q) - When are pitch fees due ?
   (A) - 1st September, October, November, December, January, an assessment will be made for Feb, March & April to see if Clubs need to pay less or the same.


5. (Q) - We want a referee, who do we contact ?
   (A) - Terry Thacker 01206 824712 or terry.thacker@essexfa.com


6. (Q) - Our appointed referee can't cover this week, can you get me another one ?
   (A) - Contact Terry Thacker as above


7. (Q) - Our pitch is not available, do we need to contact anyone ?
   (A) - Contact Graham Osborne, as soon as possible.

Reminders :

• There is No Smoking in any Council Changing Rooms or Buildings : Failure to comply with this may result in the loss of Council Facilities.


• All Secretarys should have received a letter from the ECFA regarding foul and abusive language : Please remind all club members of their obligations and that again, failure to comply may well lead to further action being taken by the ECFA and/or clubs losing their facilities.


• There have been reports of a number of thefts from changing rooms. For your own safety and peace of mind, please ensure that no valuables of any kind are left in any changing rooms.


• A first class stamp must be used by the home team on the Referee Match Report Card given to the Referees - Rule 13j, it is not up to the Referee to supply the stamp.


• A number of referees have reported that clubs are not bringing them the match balls and flags prior to the game but leaving them out on the pitch or centre circle. The rule requires clubs to present these to the ref prior to the game - please oblige.
  Please ensure that as well as balls and flags, a list of your substitutes is provided to the referee in the changing rooms before the game.


• This is for Secretarys, please take note of rule 10d - "at least three clear days prior to the playing of the match" - this means any club, playing at home, not contacting either (or both) the opposition Secretary (not Manager) and the Referee before Wednesday night will be liable for a £20.00 fine.
  A number of clubs are not making contact before Thursday / Friday nights and this is unfair on other teams who have to notify their players of travel arrangements etc.


• Unregistered Players (Ringers)
  The Management Committee have over a number of seasons received a small number of anonymous pieces of correspondence regarding unregistered / banned players - although we appreciate this goes on and we are trying to clamp down on it by introducing spot checks at games, neither the League nor the ECFA are able to act on anonymous correspondence.


• Please be aware of the cup rules regarding player registration - Page 22 Rule 8a.
  A number of clubs have defaulted by not following this rule.


• The League Management Committee wishes to remind all Clubs' of Rule 9a - 'Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from other players and the Referee. No player, including the goalkeeper shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts'.


• Urinating in a public place is forbidden and an offence by law where prosecution can result. Club Secretaries please remind your players and officials to use the facilities provided and not the hedge.


• Please could all clubs collect all litter that has been left after your match, it takes only a few seconds to do or else we may lose pitch facilities.