Answers:
How do I set up a team/club?
Constitution – Appointment of Club Officials
Clubs must appoint a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and a Club Welfare Officer (For Clubs with Children) to enable the Club to function effectively within County FA Rules and Regulations.
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.
Players – Registration, Eligibility, Discipline, Child Protection & Coaching
Clubs must understand the rules of each competition that they enter. All discipline at grass roots 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 eligibilities, for example suspensions, they should contact Derbyshire FA for details.
For youth teams, it is important to observe The FA Child Protection Policy, Practices and Procedures. The Club Welfare Officer is required to attend the FA Safeguarding Children in Football Workshop, FA Welfare Officer Workshop and complete a CRB check through the FA.
Insurance – Public Liability and Personal Accident
Clubs are required to have adequate insurance cover for their players in case of injury or accident whilst playing or travelling to matches.
Affiliation – County Associations & Leagues
A Club will need to affiliate to a parent County Football Association and the appropriate League it wishes to join. Clubs are recommended to seek advice on suitable League membership from our Governance Office.
Fixtures – League & 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, 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.
Pitches – Useful Contacts & Advice
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. Make sure you have a Manager/Coach or other volunteer who is responsible for the equipment. Clubs can access funding towards club equipment through the Football Foundation Junior Kit and Goalpost Safety funding schemes. Please have a look in under our Funding tab.
Results / Public Relations / Press
Ensure you pass on results of your matches to comply with competition regulations. 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 the club, bring in new players and may even attract some sponsorship.
Administration
A timetable which covers tasks in pre-season, tasks prior to day of the game, task on the day of the game, discipline and the club Annual General Meeting (AGM), is given below:
PRE-SEASON
Meetings
Organise club/team meetings (eg. Weekly Training, Monthly Management Meeting, AGM). Also attend relevant League meetings when required.
Registration
Ensure all players are registered with the appropriate League. Up to date photographs may be required.
Friendly Fixtures
Arrange fixtures with Secretaries of affiliated Clubs – Ensure you inform the Governance Department of this fixture.
Subscription
Set a subscription for players and members to meet your costs for the season. Carry out fundraising (appropriate to the club).
Delegation
Club Secretaries/Team Managers should seek support from other members to spread the administrative and volunteer workload where practical.
PRIOR TO THE DAY OF A GAME
Confirm Fixture
Kick-off time, colours, directions to ground, availability of pitch with groundsman, match officials etc.
ON THE DAY OF A 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).
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 telephone to the appropriate official. Level of detail on result card (e.g. players, goal scorers, substitutions, injuries etc) will be dependent on League policy.
OTHER TASKS
Disciplinary Procedures
This is an ongoing task throughout the season. The Secretary and player 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 THE SEASON
AGM & Presentation Evening
Arrange AGM and/or presentation evening.
Go to Questions
How do I find my local club?
The County FA have a "Find a Club" Section under the "GetIntoFootball" section of this website. The search will help you to identify a team in your locality by postcode, distance from a particular area, team name, gender and/or age group. You can also search for clubs accredited with FA Charter Standard.
Go to Questions
How do I write a Development Plan?
For examples and templates of;
- Supporting policies and guidance
- Good practice templates
- Useful forms
- Football development plans and examples of completed plans
Please follow the Documents Link in the Related Links Section.
For help and assistance please contact the Football Development Team on 01332 361422.