CODE OF CONDUCT

On the movement of Clubs between Leagues

It is expected that every league acts with absolute integrity and consideration for all parties who are likely to be affected by the potential movement of clubs from one league to another.

The overarching principles of this Code therefore seek to ensure that any movement of clubs between leagues is conducted in a fair and open manner whilst ensuring that a club which wishes to move is not the subject of unreasonable impediment.

Every league is expected to adhere to the following Code, understanding that it is not acceptable for Leagues or League officials to make direct or indirect approaches to clubs in other leagues. Leagues must ensure that their member clubs are aware of the Code.

For the further avoidance of doubt it is recommended that leagues also include a resignation clause within their own rules that corresponds with the following:

1. Any club seeking to move to another league must resign from its present league prior to the 30^th June of the current season if it is desirous of playing in the new league in the following season.

2. Any league secretary receiving an application from any club or team from another league shall, upon receipt of the application, immediately advise the secretary of the club’s present league. They must firstly obtain permission, in writing, from the member League to which it belongs. Such permission shall only be withheld if the Club has failed to fulfil its financial obligations or has failed to observe the Rules of the member League in respect of withdrawal of membership.

3. If the member League does not provide the written permission within 14 days, the Club shall have the right to appeal to the LCF Recreation Appeals Sub-Committee. Permission to negotiate shall not be interpreted as resignation or dismissal, but should the date by which such resignations are due to be received in that League pass without further written notification of future action from that club, the written permission to negotiate shall then be deemed to be invalid without further action being necessary by the member League.

4. They should also advise the present league and the LCF of the eventual outcome of the application in writing within 7 days of the meeting held for that purpose.

5. No applications for membership shall be considered unless the club concerned has complied with the resignation rules of The LCF and this code.

6. No application for membership shall be considered if the club has any outstanding obligations of any kind to its present League(s).

7. Any negotiations, which are not completed by the agreed deadline (June 30^th), shall be null and void. Applications shall not be held over from year to year.

8. Any allegation of a breach of this code should be made in writing to the relevant County Board who may deal with it as a disciplinary matter in accordance with their Articles of Association or any other applicable rules and procedures existing at the relevant time.

9. Nothing in this Code shall prevent any County Board from adopting its own rules and procedures in relation to the movement of clubs between leagues (which shall take precedence, although such rules and procedures should not conflict with this Code).”

Notwithstanding the above, in the event of both leagues being in agreement over the transfer of a club, the LCF should be informed in writing by both League Secretaries.

Unacceptable number of transfer requests

Should a member League consider that an unacceptable number of approaches is being made by another league in respect of its Clubs, or in respect of its players (through that League’s affiliated Clubs) there shall be a right of appeal to the LCF Recreation Appeals Sub-Committee, which has a bounden duty to protect the interests of all its members.

The decision of the LCF Recreation Appeals Sub-Committee shall be final.

The Procedure to be followed at any LCF Recreation Appeals Sub-Committee meeting is set out (Paragraphs 4.6 to 4.11) these rules.