ROTHERFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB

WELCOME & INFORMATION PACK

SEASON 2014/15

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3. Welcome To Your Club

4. Important Contacts

5. Training Programme & Junior

Coaching

6. Club Sponsors

7. Club By-Laws

8. Code Of Best Practice

9 – 11. Friends Of RFC

12. Rotherfield Sports Club 100

Club

13 -17. FA RESPECT Information

Welcome Pack CONTENTS

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Welcome to YOUR Club Welcome to Rotherfield FC, YOUR Club. A warm welcome to you if you

are a new player to the Club. If you are not new hopefully you have had a pleasant summer break and are raring to go! We have yet another

exciting season ahead with challenges all round. The 1st team will be looking to improve on last season in the MSFL Premier Division while

both Reserve and 3rd team squads will also be looking to improve on last season and aim for promotion out of their respective divisions.

What Makes YOUR Club Different?

Your Club takes pride in the standards we have set at grassroots level

football. Your Club has an ethos: pro-active, not reactive. In other words you will be expected to help out with the little jobs like putting nets up

before a game without being asked or in some cases being told to! Clubs like Rotherfield FC cannot survive on a small handful of people doing

everything. We help provide the structure, you make it happen.

So what’s happened during the close season? Thanks to the hard work players, coaches and parents at the end of

season, the pitches look in fantastic condition. Following that, our contractor deposited over 100 tonnes of sand and over-seeded all the top

field playing areas. During the close period, a further revamp project took place to help improve the bottom field’s drainage system by a

‘french drain’ in right-hand corner and along the touch line adjacent to the bank. Hopefully, this will further improve the playing surface for both

Junior Teams and 3rd Team Senior players.

This Season

2014/15 season will feature all teams in the Gray Hooper Holt Mid-Sussex Football League (MSFL). Rotherfield 1st Team playing in the

Premier Division, the MSFL Montgomery Challenge Cup and the Sussex FA Brighton Marquees Intermediate Challenge Cup for the second time in

the Club’s 120 year history. This cup features teams that play in the Premier Divisions of Sussex based leagues and Division 3 County League

teams. It will be a chance for the 1st team to play potentially better opposition and to play at different venues. Please note that away games

could be anywhere in Sussex so prepare for a long journey. The Club may arrange for a minibus if the 1st team are drawn away. The Reserves

will play in the MSFL Division 6 and the Malins and Stratford Challenge Cups. The 3rd Team will play in the MSFL Division 11 and the MSFL Brian

Hall and Tester Challenge Cups. All teams will play on the top playing

field but the 3rds will play on the lower field if the top field is unavailable.

Membership and Match Fees As with any Club at this level, Your Club charges an annual membership

fee. This will be £10 for employed £5 for unemployed/students. You have

until the 1st November to pay this fee then the amount is doubled. So

Your Club can be Your Club, we have to pay the Sussex FA a certain

amount per player (about £3 per player), £2 of your annual fee then

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goes to your Rotherfield Sports Club (RSC) membership. RSC is the

umbrella group that runs and maintains the Clubhouse and the facilities

for the Football Club, Cricket Club and Bowls Club. If you would like to

know more, please feel free to speak to Pete Ford, Mark Powell or Robin

Paige.

In order for Your Club to be able to run week by week, each player, if

selected, must also pay a match fee every match. This maybe before or after the game depending on what the Club policy is at the time. This

goes towards referee fees, kit washing and general up keep of the Club. The fees are as follows:

Employed - £6

Unemployed/Student - £4

Important Contacts

Below are the contact details for the team managers. PLEASE KEEP

HOLD OF THESE CONTACTS. You have also been issued with a copy of

the Club by-laws with this pack, which contain details of what to do

regarding contacting managers for match days. PLEASE READ THEM!

First Team Manager:

Pete Ford

Home: 01892

668161

Mobile: 07714837297

Email: pford@odeonuk.com

Second Team

Manager: Gary Ould

Home:

01424 224092

Mobile:

07775726021

Email:

gary@residentbroker.com

Third Team Manager:

Mark Powell

Home: 01892

853747

Mobile: 07733262 015

Email: mpowell555@btinternet.com

Club Secretary:

Dave Hacker

Home: 01892

853745

Mobile 07974832052

Email: dave.thelma@talktalk.net

Player Reps.

Below is a list of players that are our Senior Team Reps. If you have

any issues that you would like to discuss, you have an amazing idea on

how to raise funds or you would like to get involved in social events,

then please feel free to contact your team rep who will put forward

your thoughts to YOUR Club committee:

Dave Kilby

Paul Barnes

Matt Crouch

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Training Programme:

Pre-season training will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7pm at

Rotherfield Recreation Ground. Training will continue for as long as possible at

the ground and under floodlights. Indoor training details will be announced

nearer the time.

Ever Thought About Coaching?

A number of RFC Senior players are coaches for our Rotherfield Junior

Football Club.

Ever thought about passing on your knowledge....

Fancy taking on a new challenge.....

Give something back to the game, become a Level One coach at Rotherfield

Junior FC and help secure the future of YOUR Club..

Enjoyable and Rewarding.... What are you waiting for?

See Pete Ford for more details.

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Club Sponsors

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Club Bylaws

The following bylaws are made under rule 12 of the Rotherfield Football Club

rules & shall be binding on all members as defined in the aforementioned

rules.

1. It shall be the responsibility of members to contact the appropriate

match managers to determine whether they have been selected for

the forthcoming matches. Contact shall be made by Wednesday

evening preceding the weekend fixtures. Midweek fixtures shall not be

governed by this bylaw.

2. If a member is unable to play in the matches for which he has been

selected he shall contact the appropriate match manager at the

earliest opportunity. Contact after a Thursday evening preceding the

weekend matches shall only be acceptable in exceptional

circumstances, & may constitute misconduct under rule 12 at the

discretion of the Committee.

3. Failure by a member to turn up for a match for which he has been

selected may construe misconduct under these bylaws. Such incidents

may incur a financial penalty of £10-00 for each incident. Refer to club

rule 12. The appropriate team manager shall inform the secretary of all

such instances who shall record details of the debt owed.

4. A member who plays whilst suspended by either the League

Management Committee or the Committee of the Club shall be guilty

of misconduct, & shall incur a financial penalty (see Club rule 12). In

addition the Team manager for the Club team in question shall also be

guilty of misconduct.

5. All fines, which the League management committee in respect of

offences by members imposes on the Club whilst playing for,

spectating or otherwise being involved with the activities of the Club

shall be recovered from the individual members concerned. This will

include fines imposed for poor disciplinary records of a Team, in which

instance the fine amount shall be apportioned equally to all members

who have contributed through personal fines imposed. Any personal

fines imposed that are not paid by the appropriate date may incur

additional charges on the Club, which shall be recoverable from the

members concerned.

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Rotherfield FC Code of Best Practise

As previously mentioned in this pack, YOUR Club takes pride in the standards it

sets. Below is the Code of Best Practice, the guide to what we expect from

you.

As a player of Rotherfield FC I will:

Endeavour to be available for selection every Saturday between the last

Saturday of August and the 1st Saturday of May. (Please note that some

fixtures may take place on Bank Holidays and mid-week towards the end of

the season).

Inform my Team Manager at the earliest opportunity if I am unavailable for

selection (see Club By-Laws).

Attempt to attend training on a regular basis throughout pre-season and

during the season.

Understand that various jobs are needed to be done if a game is to go

ahead eg: pitch marking, goal nets, corner flags, kit organisation, respect

barriers, changing room maintenance etc. I will take responsibility in assisting

in completing these tasks both pre and post game.

Arrive at each game with money to pay for match fees (your team

manager will inform you of the cost). Failure to pay, may result in non-

selection.

Promptly pay the required signing on fee set by the Club, by the agreed

date. (Your team manager will advise you of the date).

Endeavour to attend and support Club events eg Annual Quiz Night,

Awards Evening, Junior Fun Day.

If provided with/ purchased Club wear, I will arrive at match day in full kit. If

wearing Club wear during a non-Club event I realise I am responsible for my

actions and if found guilty of bringing the Club into disrepute, I understand I

may have further action taken against me by the Club.

Adhere to the FA’s RESPECT programme at all times when participating or

spectating on match days.

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One aim for every player is to encourage someone you know to become a

Friend of Rotherfield FC

Are you involved with Rotherfield FC?

Are you are parent of a child that plays in the Junior Section?

Are you a non-playing member?

Are you a former player for the Club?

Are you a coach or a helper for the Junior Section?

Are you a friend or relative of someone who is involved or plays for the

Club?

Are you any of the above?

If so, then become a Friend of Rotherfield FC!

Over the many years Rotherfield FC has been in existence, there has always

been a strong contingent of non playing members who have followed the

club’s success.

Today the Club has the most non-playing members ever ranging from

parents of junior members, previous players, coaches, helpers and people

who have followed the club for many years.

For a minimum annual fee of just £5, become a Friend Of Rotherfield FC

You pay a yearly subscription of a minimum of £5, where £2 of that

membership fee goes to your annual Sports Club membership (as all

members of Rotherfield FC are Sports Club members) and £3 to the Football

Club. As this is a donation to the Club (except the £2 Sports Club

membership fee) we can receive Gift Aid from HMRC.

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What You Will Get As A FRFC Member

Become members of Rotherfield FC as non-playing members.

Become members of Rotherfield Sports Club; the umbrella organisation that

looks after the maintenance of the Clubhouse and grounds.

Receive quarterly newsletters from FRFC about progress of both Senior and

Junior sections.

Receive exclusive news on events throughout Rotherfield FC.

The knowledge that you are securing the future of YOUR local football club.

Gift Aid Declaration

Rotherfield Sports Club (includes Rotherfield Football Club) is a registered

Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) with HMRC. This entitles the Club to

a number of benefits including Gift Aid that works as follows

the recipient CASC can claim income tax relief from HMRC at 28p in

the pound on the gift as long as the person making the gift is a tax

payer in the UK.

this only applies to gifts from individuals, not from Companies

the individual making the gift can offset their donation at their tax bill if

they pay tax at a higher rate than basic

If you would like to make such a gift or donation by becoming a Friend of

Rotherfield FC then any amount you donate (above the £2 membership fee

to the Sports Club) will qualify as Gift Aid, and the Club will claim back an

additional 28p for every £1 donated.

Please tick the boxes below

I would like to make a Gift Aid donation of £..............................to Rotherfield

Sports Club.

I would like all gifts of money I make now & in the future to be classed as Gift

Aid donations.

Note: You must pay an amount of income tax and/or Capital Gains tax for

each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that the CASC will

reclaim on your gifts in that tax year.

Signed: Date:

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Friends of Rotherfield FC Membership Form.

Name:................................................................................................................................................

Address:............................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................Postcode:....................................

Email:.................................................................................................................................................

Telephone:........................................................................................................................................

Mobile:..............................................................................................................................................

Please note: Membership runs from 1st September to 31st August of each year. Please

make cheques payable to Rotherfield Football Club; please send all monies to Elliot

Ridley-Smith, Rotherfield FC Commercial Manager, 3 High Street, Rotherfield, TN6 3LL

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

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Join today and stand a chance of winning £70 a month! Tickets cost £1 per month, with no

limit on the amount of tickets per person!

You can pay by cash or by cheque for a minimum of 12 months in advance or by Standing Order. Application forms are available from the bar in the Clubhouse.

All profits go to Rotherfield Sports Club to help maintain the Club’s facilities.

So, what is the 100 club?

It is a monthly cash prize draw (or lottery) for members of the Sports Club (that

is all of you)! The Sports Club is the umbrella organisation that runs the

clubhouse.

60% of the money collected is returned in 3 cash prizes every month. Tickets

cost £1-00 each per month. Not only might you win one of the prizes but 40p

of every pound you contribute goes to the club, to be returned to you in

improved facilities. You can have as many tickets per month as you want.

You can pay by standing order (forms are available in the Clubhouse) or by

cheque in advance. Just complete the slip below & send to Gary Ould or

Pete Ford along with a cheque for a minimum of 12 months. (All cheques

made payable to Rotherfield Sports Club).

However if you wish to pay by cash/cheque please make a minimum of 12

months contribution so that we do not have to chase for payment too often!

It’s for a worthwhile cause - YOU & YOUR Club!

ROTHERFIELD SPORTS CLUB 100 CLUB

Name: Date:

Address: Monthly amount: £

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Respect is the collective responsibility of everyone involved in football to create a

fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place. These are

some of the outcomes from the 2010-11 season.

Referee recruitment and retention

The total number of referees is 28405 an increase of 5 per cent from 2010.

There are 6,000 more referees than in 2008 Quantity and quality - Accompanied

by Referee Development Officers, Referee mentoring, Referee academies,

Improved IT support.

The Referee’s experience - Respect marks were collected for 24,000 games from

4,500 referees.

Average marks was 4 out of 5.

Overall most match officials have an enjoyable experience of officiating and are

treated with respect by most participants.

On field discipline

Overall across the FL and PL dissent has fallen by 16 per cent since 2008/09.

Since 2008/09 Dissent has declined across the 15 senior leagues and divisions by

16 per cent.

The number of misconduct charges such as ‘Surrounding a match official’ or

Technical area offences also fell in comparison to 2010/11.

Assaults on referees

Although there has been a decline in the most serious cases of assault by 15 per cent

the number of incidences of improper conduct towards Referees has risen by 25 per

cent. Some of this will reflect the increased number of match officials and reports

being submitted. The key message remains however that it is never acceptable to

confront a referee in any way.

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Experience of the game

In The FA’s annual Grassroots Survey 56 per cent of respondents reported that their

experience of the game had improved as a result of measures introduced through

the Respect programme - up from 40 per cent in 2009-10.

The same survey ranked ‘Continuing to implement the Respect Programme’ as the

third highest priority for The FA to attend to behind ‘Improving facilities’ and ‘A

qualified referee for every organised game'.

Support within the game

40,000 FA coaches and Referees have received Respect training 854 leagues have

signed up and committed themselves to Respect.

Respect Awards

The FA has launched a rewards scheme to help tackle the ugly side of the game,

and is accepting nominations from the football public.

The new Respect Awards recognise the selfless work being done by football’s

volunteer league administrators who implement and promote The FA’s Respect

programme at the grassroots level.

Your Role In Respect

Respect affects the entire game, and needs your help, regardless of how you are

involved in football.

Player

Coach

Referee

Parents and Spectators

Club and League Officials

Club Welfare Officers

Youth League Welfare Officers

County FA Welfare Officers

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PLAYERS

Whether you're in the starting team or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to

the success of Respect.

On a match day, you'll be expected to work with your coaches and your captain to

allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse. With the

game losing thousands of referees from the game every year, it's hugely important,

because without the referees, the game isn't the same.

If the league you play in adopts the Respect programme, you will be asked to read,

agree to, and sign, a Code of Conduct at your club. This will be your 'promise' to

abide by a set of rules governing your behaviour as a player. Working together with

your coach, your captain, and each referee that takes charge of your games during

the season, you can play a major role in improving the game for everyone, through

Respect.

COACHES

Coaches have a hugely important role to play in Respect, as they are not only

responsible for their own behaviour, but they can also influence that of their players

and spectators, too.

On a matchday, you'll be expected to work with your players, parents and other

spectators to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to

abuse.

REFEREES

The Respect programme aims to allow Referees to officiate matches without being

subjected to abuse by players, coaches or spectators - and the referees themselves

have a key part to play in the process.

Working in partnership with the clubs they officiate, referees can provide post-match

feedback regarding the behaviour of players, parents, coaches and other

spectators, to help the clubs enforce their Codes of Conduct.

SPECTATORS

Spectators have a big responsibility as part of the Respect programme. Respect is

working to eradicate touchline abuse in football, and spectators can play their part

by agreeing to, and signing, their club's Code of Conduct and abiding by them

throughout the season.

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TEAM CAPTAIN

As your team's captain, you have a vital role to play in helping us achieve the

number one priority for footballers in The FA's biggest-ever survey of grassroots

football - a referee for every game.

Thousands of referees are dropping out each season because of the abuse and

intimidation they receive. It ruins games and can cause matches to be abandoned.

Then we've all lost.

Captain taking responsibility

As a captain, you have no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game,

but you do have a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of your team.

To promote Respect, the referee will work with you, as the team captain, to manage

the players and the game effectively.

Even if you are some way away from an incident when the referee feels he/she

needs you involved in a discussion with a player, the referee will call you over. This will

ensure that, as the team captain, you remain the point of contact for the referee.

How Captains can help to instil Respect:

Ensure you wear a Respect captain's armband - these will be provided by your

league to your club

Together with your opposition captain, make yourself known to the referee before

the game. He/she will ask if you are clear about your responsibilities

Ensure all your players understand what they can/cannot do in relation to the

referee and what is meant by 'unwanted behaviour'. No-one's trying to curb

enthusiasm - just instil more discipline. This can only benefit your match - and football

as a whole

Ensure your vice-captain (appoint one if you haven't got one) is aware of these

rules, in case you are unavailable for a game, or have to leave the field.

Ensure every player in your team has signed the Respect Code of Conduct

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LEARN THE 5 R’S & RESPECT THEM

RESPECT & read the Club/FA Code of Conduct

RESPECT the officials

RESPECT your team

RESPECT the volunteers

RESPECT the opposition & supporters

HERE TO PLAY FOOTBALL, RESPECT COMES FIRST.