Chairman:
Alex Scorer  (Brierley Hill & Dudley S.F.A.)

Vice-Chairman:
Neil Wilson (Warley (Sandwell) S.F.A.)

Hon. Secretary:
Martin Duffield (Brierley Hill & Dudley S.F.A.) – 01384 242526 / 07852 276416
Email: cuddlydudley@sky.com

Hon. Treasurer:
Bill Law (Walsall S.F.A.)

West Midlands County S.F.A. - Meeting Dates

Council Meetings – all commence @ 7.30 p.m.

• Tuesday 25^th September 2007
• Tuesday 06^th November 2007
• Tuesday 15^th January 2008
• Tuesday 04^th March 2008
• Tuesday 10^th June 2008 - Annual General Meeting @ 7.00 p.m.

County Handbook

If any school / college has not received a copy of the County Handbook please contact the County Secretary

COUNTY TRIALS

• Under 14 - Saturday 06 October, 2007
• Under 15 - Saturday 13 October, 2007
• Under 16 - Wednesday 03 October 2007
• Under 18 - Friday 05^th and Monday 08^th October 2007

Nominations for Trials at Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 age-levels are made through the District Schools’ F.A.   Nominations for Trials at Under 18 age-level are made via Schools and Colleges

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS/COLLEGES

If you have entered any of the County schools / colleges cup competitions you must ensure that games are played by the set limit dates for each round.  The winning team is responsible for ensuring the result is forwarded to the competition secretary for each competition. Results may be sent to the County Secretary (Martin Duffield) or to Peter Jordan (all contact details are in the County Handbook)

It is the responsibility of BOTH schools/colleges to make contact and arrange the match within the limit date for each round.

If there are problems in arranging a fixture then this must be communicated to the Competition Secretary immediately and PRIOR to the limit date for that round.  Information received after the limit date about a match not played will not be considered

If games are not played and/or results are not communicated to the appropriate person then the school(s) / college(s) may find themselves scratched from the competition.

REFEREES

Schools / Colleges must appoint their own match officials for matches in County Cups – If you need any assistance with the appointment of a match official please contact your local Schools’ F.A. Secretary or your local Referees Association.  School / College pupils/students should not be used to referee your own matches – this can lead to un-necessary problems especially in the later rounds of competitions.  Any players cautioned or send off and any report of any misconduct must be report to the County Association within 3 days of the game – The appropriate forms may be downloaded from the County website.

GOALPOSTS  - the Football Foundation have now amended the criteria for funding new goalposts.  The requirement for goalposts to be damaged and dangerous to qualify for a grant of up to 50% of the cost no longer applies and the FF will allocate grants of up to 50% for those schools who require additional goalposts either for 11 v. 11 pitches or goalposts for small-sided/mini-soccer – Details on www.footballfoundation.org.uk

IMPORTANT: Metal net hooks attached to goalposts are BANNED as from the start of the 2007/2008 Season – for more information please contact the County Secretary

SHIRTS - PLEASE NOTE – that BLACK shirts are not permissible in schools’ football.

MIXED FOOTBALL – you may have seen media coverage of a pilot scheme to allow girls to play in boys’ teams during the course of the 2007/2008 season. Please note that this does not apply to Schools’ Football.  Mixed teams are allowed up to and including Year 6.  Boys may not play in Girls’ teams.

MINI SOCCER CLARIFICATION: Under 7 – Under 8

Under 6  (Year 1) pupils may not play in a match of any kind

Under 7  (Year 2) pupils are not permitted to play

• In leagues where results are collected, recorded and/or published.
• In a Cup Competition whether one-day or over a period

Under 7 (Year 2) pupils may play

• In a league where results are not collected, recorded and/or published

Under 8  (Year 3) pupils are not permitted to play

• In a Cup Competition whether one-day or over a period

Under 8 (Year 3) pupils may play

• In a league where results are collated and published

AGE BANDINGS – FA Rules permit players to participate in a 2-year age banding and therefore an Under 7 player can play with an Under 8 player, and an Under 8 player with Under 9 and Under 9 with Under 10 ** It is possible the F.A. may change this Rule

Amendments to the Laws of the Game

Players Equipment

• A jersey or shirt – if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main colour as the sleeve as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
• Shorts – if undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts.
• Players must not revel undershirts that contain slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements
• A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organizer. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment contains political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organizer or by FIFA.
• Jersey must have sleeves

Additional Instructions to Match Officials

• A player must be cautioned when:
  • In the opinion of the referee, he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory
  • He climbs on to a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal being scored
  • He removes his shirt over his head or covers his head with his shirt
  • He covers his head or face with a mask or other similar item to celebrate a goal
• Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence  in itself but it is essential that players return to the field of play as soon as possible