The objectives of the SMFC shall be to arrange association football matches and social activities for its members. To always represent the Club in both football and social terms in the best interest of the community. Specifically for the Junior section the Managers (Coaches) will provide the child (player) the opportunity to develop both their football and social/teamwork skills in a fun and safe environment.

STATUS OF RULES

These rules (the Club Rules) form a binding agreement between each member of the Club. Membership will include managers, coaches, players, spectators, and club officials.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Club shall have the status of an Affiliated Member 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 Football Association or any League or Competition to which the Club is affiliated for the time being shall be deemed to be incorporated into the Club Rules.

FEES

An annual fee payable by each member shall be determined from time to time by the club committee. Fees shall not be repayable. No player can represent SMFC without a valid membership.

The Committee shall have the authority to levy further match subscriptions from the registered players/coaches as are reasonably necessary to achieve the objectives and meet the expenditure of the Club. These fees will normally cover the cost of training and match costs, equipment, and training courses and are set at the beginning of each season.

RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION

A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which, he or she gives notice to the Club Committee of his or her resignation. A member whose annual membership fee is not completed by November of each season will not be able to represent the football club.

The Club Committee shall have the power to expel a member when, in their opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for them 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.

CLUB COMMITTEE

The Club Committee for the Senior and Junior Sections. Officers shall consist of:

Chairperson

Vice Chairperson

Welfare Officer (Safeguarding Children)

Secretary

Development Officer

Other Club roles may be added as required however, the four main roles as stated above remain the senior committee members.

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

The Club Committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the Club. Decisions of the Club Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Club Committee meeting.

The Chairman of the Club Committee meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. Meetings of the Club Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson or in their absence the Secretary. The quorum for the transaction of business of the Club Committee shall be three.

Decisions of the Club Committee of meetings shall be entered into the Minute Book of the Club to be maintained by the Club Secretary.

Any member of the Club Committee may call a meeting of the Club Committee by giving not less than 7 days' notice to all members of the Club Committee. The Club Committee shall hold not less than four meetings a year.

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

Save as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of The Association and Affiliated Association to which the Club is affiliated, the Club Committee shall have the power to decide all questions and disputes arising in respect of any issue concerning the Club Rules.

ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year to:

Receive a report on the activities of the Club over the previous year

Receive a report of the Club’s finances over the previous year

Elect the members of the Club Committee

Consider any other business

Nominations for election of members as Club Officers or as members of the Club 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 not 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 not less than 21 days before the Meeting.

A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called at any time by the Committee and shall be called within 21 days of the receipt by the Club Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by not 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 to each member at his last known address written notice of the date of a General Meeting together with the resolutions to be proposed at least 14 days before the Meeting.

The quorum for a General Meeting shall be 20 % of the members of the senior football section.

The Chairperson, or in their absence a member selected by the Club Committee, shall take the chair. Each member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of any equality of votes, the Chairman of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.

The Club Secretary, or in their absence a member of the Club Committee, shall enter Minutes of General Meetings into the Minute Book of the Club.

During the season general Club meetings will be held on a monthly basis to update on the football, team positions, and general activities of each team.

CLUB TEAMS

At its first meeting following each AGM, the Club Committee shall appoint a Club member to be responsible for Club’s first team. The appointed member shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team and selecting an individual to manage the reserve team.

The appointed members shall present to the Club Committee at its last meeting prior to an AGM a written report of the activities of the team.

All the Club teams shall play in the club colours of Sky & Navy Blue.

CHILD PROTECTION

All the team Managers/Coaches) will be CRB checked prior to taking up their position, this will be followed at the nearest availability for them to complete a recognised Football Association Safeguarding Children Certificate. All parents and children (players) will be made aware of the Club's Child Welfare Officer, who will be available for any of their concerns.

EQUALITY

The Club encourages everyone to participate in football regardless of their ethnicity, disability, or gender. The Club will give all possible opportunities to give the whole community a chance to be involved whether at playing, managing/coaching, administration, volunteer, or spectator level.

CLUB FINANCES

A bank account shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club (the Club Account) individual for Junior and Senior. Designated account signatories shall be the Club Chairman, the Club Secretary, and the Treasurer. No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account except by cheque signed by two of the three designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account.

The income and assets of the Club (the Club Property) shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club.

The Club Committee shall have the power to authorise the payment of remuneration and expenses to any member of the Club and to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club.

The Club shall prepare an annual Financial Statement in such form as shall be published by The Football Association from time to time.

The Club Property, other than the Club Account, shall be vested in not less than two and no more than four custodians, one of whom shall be the Treasurer (the Custodians), who shall deal with the Club Property as directed by decisions of the Club Committee and entry in the Minute Book 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.

On his or her removal or resignation a Custodian shall execute a Conveyance in such form as is published by The Association from time to time to a newly elected Custodian or the existing Custodians as directed by the Club Committee. On the death of a Custodian, any Club Property vested in him shall vest automatically in the surviving Custodians. If there is only one surviving Custodian, a Special General Meeting shall be convened as soon as possible to appoint another Custodian.

The Custodians shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the Club Property for all expenses and other liabilities reasonably incurred by them in carrying out their duties.

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

The Club will protect its managers (coaches), players, and spectators by taking out the appropriate Public Liability Insurance.

DISSOLUTION

A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of the members present.

The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Club Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.

Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to the parent Association which shall determine how the assets shall be utilised for the benefit of the game.