CLUB RULES & CONSTITUTION

Rules and Constitution of Old Trafford Athletic Football Club

(Confirmed at 2025 AGM)

NAME

The name of the organisation shall be Old Trafford Athletic Football Club.

PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Club is to provide association football for its members and such social and recreational pursuits as maybe deemed by the desirable by the Committee.

In providing a Football Club for young people and adults of all ages, the aim is to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Greater Manchester area without distinction of sex, political, religious or other opinions, by associating the local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to improve the physical and economic conditions of life in the Greater Manchester area and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for football and youth development.

3. AFFILIATION

The Club shall have the status of an Accredited Club of the Football Association by virtue of its affiliation to/membership of the Football Association. The Rules and Regulations of the Football Association Limited and any League or Competition to which the Club is affiliated for the time being shall be deemed to be incorporated into the Club Rules.

No alteration of the Club Rules shall be effective without prior written approval by the Management Committee.

The Club will also abide by the Football Association’s Child Protection/Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policy.

4. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR FOOTBALL

Football is a national game. All of those involved with the game at every level, whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high. This code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of the Football Association.

Community:

Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football will take into account community feeling when making decisions.

Equality:

Football is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.

Participants:

Football recognises the sense of ownership felt by those who participate at all levels of the game. This includes those who play, those who coach or help in anyway, and those who officiate, as well as administrators and supporters. Football is committed to appropriate consultation. Young people – Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young people and pledges to set a positive example.

Propriety:

Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.

Trust & Respect:

Football will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.

Violence:

Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone involved in the game.

Fairness:

Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved in the game.

Integrity & Fair Play:

Football is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent with fair play.

5. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics are their attitude directly effects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct. Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent. Set out below is The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct (which reflects the standards expressed by the National Coaching Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches) which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching:

Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.

Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.

Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.
Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.
Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, and physiotherapists) in the best interest of the player.
Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. Fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.
Coaches must consistently display high standards or behaviour and appearance.
Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language.

6. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost – fair play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.

This code focuses on players involved in top-class football. Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players at all levels.

Obligations towards the game: A player should:

Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, techniques, tactics and stamina.
Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
Set positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.
Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
Not use inappropriate language.

Obligations towards one’s own team: A player should:

Make every effort consistent with fair play and the laws of the Game to help his own team win.
Resist any influence, which might, or might seem to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules: A player should:

Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally, and within the spirit of the game.
Resist any temptations to take banned substances to use banned techniques.

Respect towards Opponents: A player should:

Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

Respect towards the Match Officials: A player should:

Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
Show due respect towards Match Officials.

Respect towards Team Officials: A player should:

Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code.
Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

Obligations towards the Supporters: A player should:

Show due respect to the interest of supporters.

Upon signing for the Club, players agree to the abide by the Club rules as stipulated herein.

7. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TEAM OFFICIALS

This code applied to all team / club officials (although some items may not apply to all officials).

Obligations towards to Game: The team official should:

Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
Promote and develop his own team having regard to the interest of the Players, Supporters and reputation of the national game.
Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interests.
Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game.
Always have a regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the Team: The team official should:

Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the Club/team, and to obtain the best results by the team, using all permitted means.
Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
Promote ethical principles.
Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials, at their own club / team and others.

Obligations towards Supporter: The team official should:

Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

Respect towards the Match Officials: A team official should:

Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official.
Show due respect.

8. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

The Management Committee shall appoint a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee Members.

Each Club Officer and Club Committee Member shall hold office from the date of the appointment until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) unless otherwise resolved at a Special/Extraordinary General Meeting. One person may hold no more than four positions of Club Officer at any time.

Decisions of the Management Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Management Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Management Committee meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. Meetings of the Management Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson or in their absence the Secretary.

Decisions of the Management Committee of meetings shall be entered into the Minute Register of the Club which is to be maintained by the Club Chairperson/Secretary.

Any member of the Management Committee may call a meeting of the Management Committee by giving not less than 14 days’ notice to all members of the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall hold no less than four meetings per year.

An outgoing member of the Management Committee may be re-elected. Any vacancy on the Management Committee which arises between Annual General Meetings shall be filled by a member proposed by one and seconded by another of the remaining Management Committee members and approved by a simple majority of the remaining Management Committee members.

A Club Welfare Officer shall be appointed at the first available Management Committee Meeting following an AGM and a Club Safeguarding Children Policy must be kept at all times.

The Management Committee shall meet on a monthly basis.

A quorum will consist of 3 members of the Management Committee including two Officers.

A simple majority shall be sufficient to decide all questions at meetings of the Management Committee and in the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.

The Trustees of the Club will be three named roles within the Management Committee and the role will be transferred upon any member being replaced, The Trustees will have no overriding powers within the Club beyond their official Management Committee roles, other than securing the financial/moral future of the Club.

ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

The Management Committee shall call, no later than June each year, an Annual General Meeting which all Club Members are entitled to attend.

Distribution of a report detailing the activities of the Club over the previous year.

The Management Committee shall present to the meeting a statement of accounts and a Chairman’s Report of the Club’s activities over the previous year.

Consider any other business.

Nominations for election of Members as Club Officers or as Members of the Management Committee shall be made in writing by the proposer and seconder, both of whom must be existing members of the Club, to the Club Secretary no less than 21 days before the AGM. Notice of any resolution to be proposed at the AGM shall be given in writing to the Club Secretary no less than 21 days before the Meeting.

A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called at any time by the Management Committee and shall be called within 21 days of the receipt by the Club Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by no less than five Members stating the purposes for which the Meeting is required, and the resolutions proposed. Business at an SGM may be any business that may be transacted at an AGM.

The Secretary shall send each member either by post at their last known address or via e-mail, written notice of date of a General Meeting together with the resolutions to be proposed, at least 7 days before the Meeting.

Each Member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of equal votes, the Chairperson of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

The Members of the Club from time to time shall be those persons listed in the register of members (The Membership Registry) which shall be maintained by the Club Secretary.

Any person who wishes to be a member must apply in writing to the Club. Election to membership shall be at the sole discretion of the Management Committee. Membership shall become effective upon an applicant’s name being entered into the Membership Register.

In the event of a member’s resignation or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Register.

A monthly fee payable by each non-playing member shall be determined from time to time by the Management Committee. Any fees shall be payable on a successful application for membership and monthly by each member. Fees shall not be repayable unless agreed by the Management Committee in extreme cases.

The Management Committee shall have the authority to levy further subscriptions from the members as are necessary to fulfil the objects of the Club.

10. REGISTRATION AND EXPULSION

A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which, said member gives notice to the Management Committee of their registration. A member whose monthly membership fee or further subscriptions is more than 2 months in arrears, shall be deemed to have resigned.

The Management Committee shall have the power to expel a member when, in their opinion, it would not be in the interest of the Club for the to remain a member. There shall be no appeal procedures.

A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or a share of any of the Club property.

11. CLUB TEAMS

At its first meeting following each AGM, the Management Committee shall appoint Club Members to be responsible for each of the Club’s football teams. The appointed members shall be responsible for managing the affairs of their team.

12. ANTI DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICIES FOR CLUBS

As the governing body of the game, The Football Association is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the game at every level.

Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally. Our commitment is to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability and to encourage equal opportunities. The following policies should be at the heart of your club’s activities:

Anti-Discrimination Policy for Clubs:

The Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability. Equality of opportunity at the Football Club means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

The advertisement for volunteers.
The selection of candidates for volunteers.
Courses.
External coaching and education activities and awards.
Football development activities.
Selection of teams.
Appointments to honorary positions.

Old Trafford Athletic Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Old Trafford Athletic Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation and in the wider context, within football as a whole.

13. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY FOR CLUBS

The Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality. All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited in:

Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.
Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirements for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different to the requirements for others.
Imposing on individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include applying a condition (which is not warranted by the requirements of the position) which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race of sex.
Victimisation of an individual.
Harassment of an individual (which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable thereto is regarded as discrimination).
Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, of others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters etc. – in other words all instances where those in control of members are required to make judgments between them – it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

The Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claim of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage of loss ( if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination. Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Football Club’s policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure. The Football Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members, the difficulties of their disablement permitting assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.

14. CLUB COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

In the event that any member feels that they have suffered discrimination in any way or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken should follow the procedures below:

They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another member of the Committee.

Your report should include:

Details of what, when and where the occurrence took place.
Any witness statements and names.
Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.
Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.
A preference for a solution to the incident.
The Club’s Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:

Warn as to future conduct,
Suspend from membership,
Remove from membership,

Any person found to have broken the Club’s Policies or Codes of Conduct.

16. CLUB FINANCE

The Management Committee is responsible for ensuring that adequate records of all income/expenditure are kept. A bank account must be kept for this purpose. Signatories for this account must be the Chairperson or Treasurer plus one other nominated/agreed Member of the Management Committee.

No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account unless authorised by the designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited into the Club Account.

The Management Committee is responsible for managing all monies generated by the club and any monies received or in its control.

The Management Committee shall not incur any expenditure which cannot be met from the funds it controls.

The financial year to be per calendar year i.e. April to April. A financial statement to be issued at AGM/SGM to end of April.

The Club Property, other than the Club Account, shall be vested in no less than two and no more than five custodians, one of whom shall be the Treasurer (the Custodians), who shall deal with the Club Property as directed by decision of the Club Committee and entry in the Minute register shall be conclusive evidence of such a decision.

The Custodians shall be appointed by the Club in a General Meeting and shall hold office until death or resignation unless removed by a resolution passed at a General Meeting.

17. EQUIPMENT

The Management Committee are responsible for keeping an inventory of all property belonging to the Club.

The Management Committee has the right to buy and sell equipment, as it feels appropriate.

The Management Committee must ensure the Health and Safety rules are complied with, with regard to facilities and equipment.

18. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution shall not be amended except at an AGM or SGM called for the purpose, following 14 days of the proposed amendments. Such must receive at least two thirds majority of those present and voting.