Constitution
Constitution
Name
The name of the group shall be English Veterans Football Club (EVFC).
Aims
The aims of EVFC shall be:
To manage football teams:
- for players over the age of 50
- to represent England
- to play matches against representative teams from other countries, dependencies of the United Kingdom, the Armed Forces, English Counties, Veterans Leagues and on occasion, club sides.
- to represent six different age groups – over 50’s, over 55’s, over 60’s, over 65’s, over 70’s and over 75’s.
- to comprise of the best English players for each age group, selected by conducting trials or by other means.
- to be affiliated with an English County Football Association.
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To play football matches in accordance with the:
Laws of Association Football, specifically;
- 11 players per side.
- 90 minute games.
- Running football – as opposed to walking football.
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Law modifications for veterans’ football as sanctioned by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), specifically;
- The allowance of ‘return substitutes’ – roll on, roll off.
- The allowance of a reduced duration of 80 minutes.
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Rules of sanctioned tournaments which, for example;
- may reduce the duration of matches to less than 90 minutes.
- may reduce the number of players per side to less than 11.
- may reduce the dimensions of the field of play.
Membership
Membership of EVFC will be open to anyone who is:
- male (at birth); and
- English (holds a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport with a substantial period of residency in England; and
- over 50 years of age; and
- selected to play by the team Manager.
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There is no membership fee, but selected players are required to pay a subscription per match (the match fee). The match fee shall be set by the team Manager on a game to game basis, to cover costs.
A list of players (members) shall be maintained by the Manager of each football team.
Membership shall cease when the player is no longer selected to play for any of the teams managed by England Veterans Football Club.
Equal Opportunities
EVFC shall not discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, religious or political belief or marital status.
Officers, Committee and Committee Meetings
The business of EVFC shall be carried out by the officers within the Management Committee.
The Management Committee shall meet as necessary, but not less than four times a year.
The Management Committee will comprise, the;
- Chair, who shall formulate the agenda and run the meeting.
- Secretary, who shall distribute papers, take minutes and record actions.
- Manager of England Veterans Over 50’s
- Manager of England Veterans Over 55’s
- Manager of England Veterans Over 60’s
- Manager of England Veterans Over 65’s
- Manager of England Veterans Over 70’s
- Manager of England Veterans Over 75’s
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The roles of Chairman and Secretary may be combined. The Chairman and/or the Secretary may also be the Manager of a football team. A Manager may manage more than one team.
In the event of the Chairman, Secretary or a Manager standing down, a replacement shall be elected by the Management Committee as soon as possible.
The quorum for Management Committee meetings shall be three.
The agenda and digital link to the meeting shall be circulated at least five days before the meeting. If a member of the Management Committee is unable to attend a meeting, they shall register their apology but a deputy shall not attend in their absence.
Communication with the players (members) shall be via email, text, social media, face to face etc.
Rules of Procedure for the Management Committee
All questions that arise at any meeting shall be discussed freely and openly and the officers shall seek consensus.
If consensus cannot be reached a vote shall be taken and a decision shall be made by a simple majority of officers present. If the number of votes cast on each side is equal, the Chair of the meeting shall have an additional casting vote.
Finances
Financial accounts shall be maintained by each of the England Veterans’ Managers, one for each of the England Veterans’ teams.
The accounts shall record all income and expenditure incurred on behalf of the team and the narrative for each book keeping entry shall adequately describe the source of monies received and the destination of monies paid. The accounts shall also show a running total.
An officers’ personal bank account can be used for the management of monies but all football related transactions must be clearly identifiable.
Any monies raised by or on behalf of England Veterans Football Club, including sponsorship, shall only be used to further the aims of the group, as specified in item 2 of this constitution.
Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution shall only be made at a Management Committee meeting or at a Special General Meeting. The proposal shall be circulated with the notice and agenda for the meeting.
Any proposal to amend the constitution shall require a majority of those present and entitled to vote.
Dissolution
If a meeting, by a simple majority, decides that it is necessary to close down the club it shall call a Special General Meeting to do so. The sole business of this meeting shall be to dissolve the club.
If it is agreed to dissolve the club, all remaining monies and other assets, once outstanding debts have been paid, shall be donated to a local charitable organisation. The organisation(s) shall be agreed at the meeting which agrees the dissolution.