Information for new clubs wishing to join the West Kent Sunday
Football League
Updated April 2021
This information is a guide only. Take time to download and read a
copy of the current Rules here to
familiarise yourselves with the rules by which the League operates.
Any questions about your application should be raised with the
General Secretary.
You are encouraged to consult us about joining the League, its
benefits and possible problem areas, before formalising your
application. You may be invited to a meeting or meetings to discuss
your plans.
Membership of the League is open to clubs whose playing headquarters
is within a 20 mile radius of Tunbridge Wells Railway Station. Map.
The cost of starting a club from scratch will possibly be as much as
£800 - £1000 once kit is taken into account. Annual running costs -
pitch fees, referee fees, new footballs, first aid kit etc etc will
be several hundred pounds. You almost certainly need a good sponsor!
From a former club secretaries point of view, I would absolutely
make sure that you get a serious amount of money from your players
well before the season starts. This could be either as an annual
subscription or payment of match fees in advance. That helps cash
flow no end!
The League takes a very close look at all applications. You will be
asked many questions and will often be asked to provide documentary
evidence in answer.
Applications
An initial entry fee of £150 for each team is payable with the
application. In addition a deposit of £150 may be requested, which
would be returned at the end of membership. An annual subscription
of £100 is payable if the application is successful. The entry fee
is repaid in the event the club or team is not admitted to the
League.
Applications must be made on the official form obtainable from the
League General Secretary as above.
Reserve or Third Teams
Application from existing clubs for Reserve or Third teams must also
be submitted by 1st May using the forms as above. Costs apart (you
will already be affiliated to the appropriate County FA) the issues
are much the same as for new clubs.
County FA Affiliations
All clubs must be affiliated to the appropriate County Football
Association not later than 15th July. BEFORE you apply to join this
League, you should contact your County FA to establish the fees and
charges and obtain the relevant forms. These fees are in addition to
those you will have to pay to this League.
Players
Players must be 16 years of age or older. You will be asked to give
us a list of potential players at the time of application.
'Poaching' players from existing clubs is not acceptable. Also,
please be aware that, although it sounds very bureaucratic, you may
need to obtain international clearance if you are proposing to
include foreign nationals, including those who may have previously
played in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. After all, they may
be suspended by their national FA! Please check with the County FA
or FA itself about this if in any doubt.
The official International Clearance information is at http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/policies/player-registration/international-clearance
and there is a lot of it.
All players must be properly registered in accordance with League
Rule 8. You must have registered at last twelve (12) players THREE
WEEKS prior to the start of the season on the first Sunday in
September.
Pitches
Your club must provide, with the application, positive evidence that
it has a pitch to use which is of an acceptable standard. If you are
thinking of using the facilities provided by Tonbridge and Malling
Council, Tunbridge Wells Council or Paddock Wood Council you should
discuss this with the League at the earliest opportunity. The League
has first call on the allocation of these pitches.
If you are proposing to share a pitch with an existing club you will
be asked provide confirmation of an agreement with them.
All pitches must have secure changing facilities for players and
officials to a standard acceptable to the League. If yours is a
facility unknown to the League, it will be inspected as part of your
application.
The League has no objection to the use of synthetic grass (3G or 4G)
pitches, but these MUST be on the Football Association's list of
approved pitches. The foregoing requirements must also be complied
with.
Finances and Insurance
All clubs must have a correctly administered bank account. The use
of personal bank accounts for football business is strongly
discouraged! All payments to the League and by the League are by
cheque or electronic transfer. We do not deal in cash.
Your attention is drawn to League Rule 15 concerning club financial
accounts and Rule 16 concerning Public Liability and Personal
Accident Insurance. The County FA also has the power to scrutinise
club accounts.
Public Liability Insurance is compulsory and a payment is included
in County FA fees. You should check whether it is adequate for the
pitch and facilities you intend to use.
You are urged to advise your players, particularly those who are
self-employed, to ensure they have adequate personal injury and
accident insurance. Clubs can pay into various schemes or players
can make individual arrangements to suit their circumstances. The
payouts from insurance schemes funded within the County FA charges
are minimal.
Be aware that the League will not act as a debt-collector in the
event of players owing money. One simple rule helps - don't pay,
don't play next week!
Committee
The club should have a properly constituted committee to run its
affairs. A 'one man band' is unlikely to gain acceptance by the
League.
Correspondence, Internet and Email
The official business of the league is conducted by correspondence.
Email is used to reduce costs and it is now essential that your club
provides an email address through which official business (for
example sending fixture lists or invoices) may be conducted. Results
and league tables are published on the website every Monday morning
throughout the season.
Player Registration 'on line' using the FA 'Whole Game' system is
mandatory. It is therefore essential that your club has members
willing and able to use it!
The website www.wksl.org.uk is
used to keep everyone informed, but the conduct of official business
is in accordance with the rules in force.
Annual General Meeting
The 2021 AGM, at which your club MUST be represented, will be on Thursday
July 27th
at the Six in One Club, Tonbridge, start 8pm. You must be
signed in before that time, so plan to arrive a little earlier.