Operational Procedures

Updated June 2026

Lucan United Football Club.

Abbreviations:   

EXE = Executive Committee

FC = Football Committee

CWO = Child Welfare Officer

CEO = Chief Executive Officer

COO = Chief Operating Officer

CO = Compliance Officer

Chapters:
A. Membership.
B. Representation Squads.
C. Rules & Procedures.
D. Subscriptions.
E. Fundraising.

A. Membership

1. Admission to membership rests with the EXE and may be delegated to team managers in normal circumstances.

2. The EXE may terminate the membership of any member who fails to comply with club rules.

3. A team manager may terminate a player’s membership. The player may appeal in writing to the FC within fourteen days. Where the player is under 18, the CWO or delegate must attend any termination meeting.

4. Any meeting with parents or guardians regarding possible termination must include the CWO or delegate.

5. The appointed club official must be informed of any proposed player termination before contact is made with the player, parent, or guardian.

6. If dissatisfied with the FC decision, the player may make a final written appeal to the EXE within seven days.

7. The EXE decision is final. If an appeal is upheld, the EXE will decide whether the player returns to the same team or is assigned elsewhere.

8. A manager may move a player to another team with the agreement of the receiving manager.

9. Player movement for non-football reasons, including disciplinary matters, must be approved by the FC.

10. Any discussion with parents or guardians about player movement must include the CWO or delegate.

11. The appointed club official must be informed of any proposed player movement before contact is made with the player, parent, or guardian.

12. Players may only move during the relevant internal or external league transfer window.

13. A transfer form must be completed and submitted to the league before the player can play for the new team. Until then, the player remains with their current team. The lead manager requesting the move is responsible for completing the form.

14. Managers should consult the team coach before deciding on player movement; however, the final decision rests with the manager.

15. A manager may request a player from another club team and may play that player with the other manager’s consent, provided league rules are not breached.

16. Players should play within their own age group where the club has an appropriate team. Players may play up, play on loan, or move where no suitable team exists at their level.

17. All players are registered to Lucan United FC, not to one team, and may be required to move teams where appropriate.

18. The EXE may move a player without manager approval where it believes the player is at the wrong level and this is affecting development.

19. The EXE may delegate player movement responsibilities to the FC.

20. Manager removal or movement will be managed by the FC in consultation with the EXE.

• A two-person panel appointed by the FC must manage any manager removal or movement.
• All such decisions must be discussed and voted on by the FC.
• The EXE must be informed before the manager is notified.
• The EXE may place any proposed removal or movement on hold for up to ten days if further clarification is required.
• A manager may appeal to the EXE in writing within ten days where sufficient grounds exist.

21. Any player aged ten or over whose last registration was outside Ireland must obtain an International Transfer Certificate before registering with Lucan United FC. The EXE will assist with this process.
22. Any player transferring from professional football must be regraded to amateur status. International clearance is also required where the transfer is from another association.

23. Coach hiring, removal, movement, and discipline will be managed by the appointed EXE member responsible for coaches and coaching schedules. Coach disciplinary matters will be handled by a two-person EXE panel.

CEO Responsibilities

1. The CEO is a senior leadership role responsible for strategic and operational leadership across Lucan United FC, in line with the direction set by the EXE.

2. The CEO supports the EXE by implementing club strategy, agreed decisions, policies, procedures, and priorities in a consistent and professional manner.

3. The CEO may lead and coordinate club operations, including administration, facilities, compliance, communications, events, football operations, commercial activity, and strategic projects.

4. The CEO works with the EXE, FC, COO, Compliance Officer, CWO, managers, coaches, volunteers, and officials to ensure club standards are understood and delivered.

5. The CEO may act as a central coordination point for committees, teams, volunteers, parents, sponsors, partners, leagues, governing bodies, and other stakeholders.

6. The CEO may identify risks, improvements, resources, and strategic issues for EXE consideration.

7. The CEO may support the development and review of club plans, structures, policies, procedures, and reporting processes.

8. The CEO may make operational decisions where delegated by the Directors or where required for effective day-to-day running of the club.

9. The CEO may not override EXE decisions unless expressly delegated by the Directors.

10. The CEO must always act in the best interests of Lucan United FC and uphold club values, policies, procedures, governance standards, and standards of conduct.

COO Responsibilities

1. The COO supports the operational management of Lucan United FC and ensures day-to-day activities are delivered in line with CEO and EXE direction.

2. The COO works with the CEO, EXE, FC, Compliance Officer, CWO, managers, coaches, volunteers, and officials to keep operations coordinated, consistent, and professional.

3. The COO may oversee facilities, fixtures, equipment, events, team administration, volunteer coordination, matchday arrangements, communications, and club logistics.

4. The COO supports implementation of club policies, procedures, standards, and approved operational plans.

5. The COO may identify operational issues, resource needs, risks, and improvement opportunities and escalate them to the CEO and/or EXE.

6. The COO may support club projects, events, facility improvements, and operational initiatives approved by the CEO or EXE.

7. The COO may act as a point of contact for operational matters involving teams, managers, volunteers, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders.

8. The COO may make operational decisions where delegated by the CEO or EXE, or where required for effective day-to-day running of the club.

9. The COO may not override CEO or EXE decisions unless expressly delegated.

10. The COO must always act in the best interests of Lucan United FC and uphold club values, policies, procedures, governance standards, and standards of conduct.

Compliance Officer Responsibilities

1. The Compliance Officer supports the club in meeting governance, safeguarding, registration, league, FAI Club Mark Level 2, and regulatory obligations.

2. The Compliance Officer works with the EXE, CEO, COO, CWO, FC, managers, coaches, and officials to ensure policies and procedures are understood and followed.

3. The Compliance Officer may support the review, maintenance, and communication of club policies, codes of conduct, disciplinary procedures, and operational standards.

4. The Compliance Officer may help maintain required records, registrations, certifications, vetting, training, FAI Club Mark Level 2 evidence, and relevant documentation.

5. The Compliance Officer may support preparation, maintenance, review, and evidence gathering for FAI Club Mark Level 2 and related governance or development requirements.

6. The Compliance Officer may advise the EXE and relevant committees where policy, procedure, or compliance requirements need clarification or review.

7. The role does not replace the CWO in child welfare or safeguarding matters but may support the CWO where appropriate and as directed by the EXE.

8. The Compliance Officer may not override EXE decisions unless expressly delegated by the Directors.

9. The Compliance Officer must always act in the best interests of Lucan United FC and uphold club values, policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.

B. Selection of Players for Representative Squads
Players are normally selected for representative squads by league or international managers. Where the club is asked to nominate players for trials or representative opportunities, selection must be based solely on football ability and must be free from bias. Coaches and assistant managers should be consulted, but the final decision rests with the team manager and should be transparent to the team.

C. Rules and Procedures

1. Team managers deal with day-to-day disciplinary matters.

2. Complaints are dealt with by the FC. Contact: Lucanunitedfc@gmail.com.

3. Appeals against FC decisions are dealt with by the EXE.

4. The EXE decision is final and does not require explanation.

5. Investigations may take time; members are asked to be patient while matters are reviewed.

6. Appeals will not be heard where a player is dropped for football reasons, unless the issue relates to non-football matters.

7. The team manager has full control of team affairs.

8. Each manager may set team discipline guidelines. Failure to meet these may result in a player being asked to leave the club.

9. Senior players only may be fined for lateness, dirty boots, or match-day absence. Fines are set by the manager and must not exceed one week’s subscription. Physical fighting may result in immediate dismissal.

10. Abusive behaviour towards a manager or staff member may result in immediate dismissal.

11. Repeated fines may result in dismissal.

12. The FC may suspend a player where further disciplinary action is required. Appeals must be made to the EXE in writing within seven days and must state the grounds for appeal.

13. Junior Managers, coaches, and team staff are appointed by the COO following screening. Managers must not appoint staff without COO or FC approval.

14. Senior Managers and staff are appointed by CEO.

15. Parent behaviour issues requiring a meeting must be referred to the FC. A FC member should attend where appropriate.

16. Parents must receive advance notice of the meeting, the agenda, and the opportunity to bring a person of their choice.

17. Serious disciplinary matters will follow the club’s disciplinary procedure.

Red Cards

Red cards may result in suspension and/or fines. Club-paid red cards apply to denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity by handball, or denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a foul. All other red-card fines must be paid by the person who receives the red card.

Players are not permitted to play until all fines are paid in full. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure this rule is followed.

Player-Paid Red Card Offences
Player-paid red cards include serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures, and receiving a second yellow card. These include dangerous challenges, physical aggression, spitting at any person, abusive conduct towards players, officials or spectators, and any second caution in the same match.

D. Subscriptions

1. The EXE may amend membership and registration fees as required.

2. Fees must be paid before the season starts through MyClub Finance, or by standing order for family memberships across the season.

3. A player may be suspended from all club activities until overdue fees are paid.

4. Reduced rates may apply, at EXE discretion, for unemployed players or parents and full-time third-level students.

E. Fundraising
All members of the club are required to participate in fundraising activities. Participation is not optional.

Sportsmanship is based on trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The club expects all members to reflect these principles.

Parent Contract

I agree to the following:

· I will not force my child to participate in football.

· I will remember that children play for enjoyment and development.

· I will inform the coach of any condition that may affect my child’s safety or the safety of others.

· I will learn and respect the rules of the game, league policies, and club procedures.

· I will be a positive role model and encourage sportsmanship, respect, courtesy, and positive support for players, coaches, officials, and spectators.

· I will not engage in unsporting behaviour, including taunting, refusing to shake hands, abusive language, or offensive gestures.

· I will not encourage behaviour that endangers player health or wellbeing.

· I will teach my child to play by the rules and resolve conflict without hostility or violence.

· I will expect my child to respect all players, coaches, officials, and spectators.

· I will value effort, fairness, learning, and enjoyment over winning.

· I will never ridicule or shout at any child for making a mistake or losing.

· I will support skill development and player wellbeing above personal ambition.

· I will respect officials and raise concerns with coaches only at an agreed time and place.

· I will support a drug-free sporting environment.

· I will not coach from the sideline unless I am an official coach.

· I understand my child may appear in club photographs or media from time to time.

Manager Contract

I agree to the following:

1. I will remember that children participate for enjoyment and development, and that the game is for young players, not adults.

2. I will learn and respect the rules of the game, league policies, and club procedures.

3. I will be a positive role model and promote sportsmanship, respect, courtesy, and positive support for players, coaches, officials, and spectators.

4. I will not engage in unsporting behaviour, including taunting, refusing to shake hands, abusive language, or offensive gestures.

5. I will not encourage behaviour that endangers player health or wellbeing.

6. I will teach players to follow the rules and resolve conflict without hostility or violence.

7. I will require players to respect all teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, and spectators.

8. I will value effort, fairness, learning, and development over winning.

9. I will praise players for competing fairly and trying their best.

10. I will never ridicule or shout at a player for making a mistake or losing.

11. I will prioritise skill development, practice, player wellbeing, and age-appropriate competition.

12. I will promote players’ emotional and physical wellbeing above any personal desire to win.

13. I will support a drug-free sporting environment.

Policy on the Selection of Senior Players for Senior Teams

This policy assumes the first team plays on Sundays and the second and third teams play on Saturdays.

1. The club aims to develop all players and compete at the highest possible level. Selection is based on ability, fitness, commitment, and track record.

2. The EXE appoints all team managers and assistants, who manage teams on behalf of the club.

3. The first team manager acts as Club Manager with overall responsibility for senior teams and players. Other senior managers must support the Club Manager in developing senior football.

4. The Club Manager should monitor other senior teams and older schoolboy teams. Other senior managers should do the same where possible.

5. Combined senior training and player movement between training groups should take place where useful. Schoolboy players may be invited to senior training and considered for senior selection.

6. When selecting players, each manager must consider the needs of the other senior teams.

7. Senior managers must communicate clearly on selection. The first team manager, and then the second team manager where relevant, must give other managers timely notice of player selections and hold regular senior squad discussions.

8. Players moving from lower or schoolboy teams must be welcomed and treated properly. Underage players entering senior football must be treated appropriately by managers and senior players.

9. All senior players form one club pool and are available to represent the club at the level selected.

10. The first team is the club’s senior football pinnacle. Managers and players must support selection of the strongest available first team.

11. Weekend panels are normally selected on Thursday evening. The first team manager has first choice, followed by the other senior managers in order.

12. A lower-team player selected to start for the first team on Sunday should not play on Saturday.

13. First-team substitutes should normally play for the second or third team on Saturday. The first team manager may limit or direct their minutes or position depending on Sunday requirements.

14. A player returning from a higher team automatically regains their place on the team they left and must not be penalised for promotion.

15. Once selected, the relevant senior manager is responsible for the assigned panel for that match.

16. If a senior player refuses to play for the selected team, the matter must be reported to the EXE through the Club Secretary by the selecting manager and/or player. The EXE will investigate and decide the action required.

17. Senior managers must ensure that they, their players, and assistants follow the club Code of Conduct, particularly on discipline and behaviour before, during, and after matches. Managers must lead by example.

WhatsApp Group Rules

Respect and Kindness: Treat all members with respect. Avoid rude or offensive language and be mindful of cultural differences and sensitivities.

Stay on Topic: Keep discussions relevant to football and club-related matters.

No Spam or Advertising: Do not post spam or advertisements that are unrelated to football or club activities.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Do not share personal information, photos, or confidential group information without permission.

No Hate Speech or Discrimination: All interactions must be free from hate speech, discrimination, or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.

Be Considerate of Time: Group chat should only be active between 7:00am and 10:00pm. For urgent matters outside these hours, contact a management team member directly.