Before embarking on forming a new team, the following two questions should be asked:
1. Are there enough potential players?
2. Are there enough volunteers to take care of club organization and administration?
The First Steps for setting up a club
By following these simple guidelines you should be in a position to have your new club up and running in no time.
Constitution - appointment of club officials
Clubs must appoint a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to enable the club to function effectively within County FA Rules and Regulations. It is also suggested that other people are appointed to assist in other administrative areas of the club.
Finance - income and expenditure to run the club
As a new club it will be important to raise funds to run the club and initially these will probably be from player memberships and subscriptions. It is also advisable to produce a list of costs to run your team which will help you create a budget of income and expenditure for the season. You will be required to send in a copy of your club accounts annually.
Players - registration, eligibility, discipline, child protection and coaching
It is important that clubs are fully conversant with the rules of each competition that they may wish to enter. All discipline at grassroots is administered by the County Football Association and the Secretary of the club is responsible to ensure that all players are eligible to play. If clubs have any doubts about player eligibility, for example suspensions, they should contact us for details. For youth teams, it is important to be aware of child protection safeguards and advice is available from our Child Welfare Officer.
Insurance - Public Liability and Personal Accident
It is compulsory for all affiliated clubs in Sussex to be covered by Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance. Details of these can be found with the affiliation information.
The Second Steps for setting up a club
Affiliation - County Associations and Leagues
A Club will need to affiliate to a parent County Football Association (this is decided by where the home ground is situated i.e. if in Sussex you will need to affiliate to Sussex) and the league it wishes to join.
Please note as from season 2008/09 a Club Welfare Officer is mandatory for Youth Football Clubs, and recommended for Adult Clubs with under 18 players. Officers must complete a CRB Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit in order for the club to be affiliated. Club Welfare Officers must have an 'accepted' or as a minimum an 'in progress' CRB Disclosure from the season 2008/09. For further information on this matter, please contact The FA CRB Unit 0845 210 8080 or FACRB@tmgcrb.co.uk. Should you wish to speak to Catherine Larner who is the County Welfare Officer she can be contacted on 01903 753547 during office hours.
Fixtures - League and Cup Competitions
Fixtures are administered by the appropriate competition secretary, who advises clubs of forthcoming matches. If it is a home match, the club secretary must arrange hire of a pitch (unless this is arranged by the league), notify opponents and match officials of kick-off time and location of venue. For away games arrange to inform your own team of venue, kick-off time and arrange for transport of players. All County Football Associations run cup competitions which give an opportunity for teams to play against clubs from different leagues or divisions.
Please make sure you read the relevant rules relating to the league/competition entered to ensure you abide by them. Each league/competition may vary with regard to their requirements. If in doubt contact the league/competition organizers.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE ASSOCIATION ONLY DEAL WITH FIXTURE MATTERS RELATING TO THEIR OWN CUP COMPETITIONS.
Pitches - useful contacts and advice
If the league does not allocate pitches, apply to your Local Authority, other local teams, Parish council or owner of a private ground to hire a pitch. Please note hire charges will vary.
Kit & Equipment
Purchase suitable equipment prior to the start of your fixtures and ensure you have sufficient equipment for all teams in your club. The necessary equipment will include, playing strip, first aid kit, nets and balls.
Administration
See below the Club Action Timetable which covers tasks in pre-season, tasks prior to the day of the game, task on the day of the game, discipline and the club annual general meeting (AGM).
Results/Public Relations/Press
Ensure you pass on results of your matches to comply with competition regulations. For Sussex County Football Association competitions, the results are collected by each League and therefore you will only need to notify your own league. All clubs are recommended to establish good relationships with the local press to publish results, match reports and possibly just interesting stories about their club. Good PR will help raise the profile of your club, bring in new players and may even attract some sponsorship.
CLUB ACTION TIMETABLE
Below is a suggested timetable to help your club run smoothly throughout the entire year.
Pre-Season
Players
Ensure each team has a squad of at least 14 players or the appropriate number for Mini Soccer/Small Sided teams.
Affiliation
Complete and forward the appropriate documentation and fees to the Sussex County Football Association and league or other competitions.
Facilities
Arrange pitch(es) which comply with appropriate league regulations and specifications. It is also prudent to arrange/book training facilities early.
Meetings
Organise club/team meetings (eg. Weekly Training, Monthly Management Meeting, AGM). Also attend relevant league or Sussex County Football Association meetings when required.
Registration
Ensure all players are registered with the appropriate league (forms will be available from the league). Up to date photographs may be required.
Friendly Fixtures
Arrange fixtures with secretaries of other affiliated clubs and notify the Sussex County Football Association for approval.
Subscription
Set a subscription for players and members to meet your costs for the season. Carry out fund raising (appropriate to the club).
Delegation
Club Secretaries/Team Managers should seek support from other members to spread the administrative workload where practical.
Prior to the day of the game
Confirm Fixture
eg. kick-off time, colours, directions to ground, availability of pitch with groundsman, match officials.
On the day of the game
Pitch
Ensure pitch is safe and correctly prepared with nets, flags, markings and access to appropriate changing facilities.
Match Officials
Ensure match officials have been paid (home team only).
Refreshments
Provide refreshments where appropriate.
Results
Ensure the result card is completed and posted to the appropriate league official to arrive by designated time. Please note the competition may require the result to be confirmed by telephoning the appropriate official. Level of detail on result card (e.g. players, goal scorers, substitutions, injuries etc) will be depend on league policy.
Other tasks
Disciplinary Procedures
This is an ongoing task throughout the season. The secretary and players must complete and return appropriate documentation with fines. A record should be kept of players discipline and ensure any suspended players do not play.
End of Season
AGM
Arrange AGM and/or presentation evening.
A copy of your club accounts must be posted or emailed to the Sussex County FA by the 30th September each season.
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