Operational Procedures

Updated Oct  2024

Lucan United Football Club.

Abbreviations:   

EXE = Executive Committee.

FC = Football Committee. 

CWO = Child Welfare Officer.

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

A. Membership:
1. The admission of any person rests with the EXE, but in normal circumstances will generally be delegated to the team Managers.
2. The EXE has the power at any stage to terminate membership of any  member who in their opinion does not abide by the rules of the club.
3. A Team Manager at any stage can terminate a player membership to the  club.  That player has fourteen days to submit to the FC a written  appeal.  Any under 18 terminations must be done in the presence of the  CWO
4.  Any subsequent meeting with player’s parents on possible termination must be attended by the CWO
5.  The appointed club official must be communicated to about any  potential termination of players before any communication to  player/parent.
6. If the player is not happy with the findings of the FC, they can submit a final appeal in writing to the EXE within 7 days.
7. The EXE word is final. If the appeal is upheld the player may or may  not go back to the same team depending on the EXE decision.
8. A Team Manager has the right at any stage to move a player from  his/her team to another team within the club if he/she has the agreement  of the other Team Manager.
9. Any movement of player due to any reason other than football matters  must be cleared by the FC. This includes Discipline issues.
10. Any discussion with parents about moving a player must be attended by the clubs CWO.
11. The appointed club official must be communicated to about any  potential movement of players before any communication to player/parent.
12. Players can only be moved during the external or internal transfer window of the affiliated league.
13. Transfer form must be filled in and sent to the league before the  player can play for the new team. Until then the player stays with  current team. It’s the responsibility of the lead manager to ensure  transfer is filled in. (This is the manager who is either  looking to move a player or a Manager is requesting a player. Whoever  is driving the move looks after transfer form)
14. Managers are advised to consult Team Coach before making any  decision on movement of player. However the final decision is the  Managers.
15. A Team Manager can request a player from another team within the  club and may play the player on consent of the other Team Manager if not  breaking any league rules.
16. Players must play at own age group if the club have a team at the  appropriate level. Players can play up, on loan or if no appropriate  team at the correct level.
17. All players are signed for Lucan United Football Club and not just  one particular team and again may be required to move team from time to  time.
18. The Exe reserve the right to move a player without the Managers  permission to another team if they deem the player is playing at the  wrong level and its having a negative impact on his/her development.

19. The Exe reserve the right to delegate this task to the FC.

20. Removal of Managers will be dealt with by the FC on consultation with the EXE.

• Removal or movement of a Manager must be performed by a panel of two allocated by the football committee.
• All removals or movements must be discussed and voted on at football committee level.
• The Exe must be informed of a plan to remove or move a manager prior to the manager been informed
• The Exe has the power to put a move or removal on hold if further clarification is required for 10 days.
• A manager has the right to appeal the FC decision to the Exe if she/he  has sufficient grounds within 10 days in writing (by email lucanunitedfc@gmail.com)

21. Any Player aged ten (10) years or over wishing  to be registered within Lucan United having last been registered within  another Country must obtain an International Transfer Certificate  (“ITC”). Please contact a member of the EXE to  facilitate this requirement.
22. Any player moving from Professional football to Lucan United must be  regraded to Amateur status and if coming from another association must  receive International Clearance. Please contact a member of the EXE to  facilitate this requirement.

23. Removal and Hiring of Coaches will be dealt  with by the appointed EXE member responsible for the management of  coaches and coaching schedule.

• Coaches may be moved from team to team as required.
• Matters of Coaches discipline will be dealt with by a panel of two EXE Members.

B. Selection of Players for Representational Squads.
In most cases players are chosen by the League or International Managers  for squads. However from time to time clubs are asked to select players  they feel would have the ability for example merging talent trials.
No child should be showing bias under any circumstances when selecting  representation for our club other than footballing ability. Coaches and  Assistant Managers should be contacted and asked for an opinion on the  children selected. However the final decision  should be the Managers. His/her decision should only be based on  football ability and the decision must be transparent to all other  members of the team.

C. Rules & Procedures:
1. Matters of discipline will be dealt on a day to day basis by the Team Managers.
2. The Football Committee will deal with complaints. Contact Lucanunitedfc@gmail.com
3. The EXE will deal with appeals to decision made by the Football Committee.
4. The EXE decision is final and they are under no obligation to explain their decision.
5. (Investigations may take time and your patients is required)
6. Appeals will not be heard due to players been dropped by a manager unless it’s for reasons other than football matters.
7. The Team Manager has full control of team affairs.
8. Each Team Manager will lay down guidelines for his own team around  discipline. If these are not met a player may be asked to leave the club  by that Manager.
9. Senior Players only can be fined for 1) Tardiness 2) Dirty Boots 3)  Absence on match day if deemed appropriate by their manager. The fine  will be decided by the team manager but can’t exceed a week’s subs.  Physical Fighting among players could result in  instant dismissal from the club.
10. Abusive behaviour towards the Manager or his staff may result in instant dismissal from the club.
11. Frequent fining could result in dismissal from the club.
12. A player may serve a suspension laid down by the Football Committee  if they deem his/her actions require further discipline. This can be  appealed to the EXE within 7 days in writing if grounds are identified.
13. Team Managers Coaches and all team staff will be appointed by the  EXE after a screening process. Managers must not appoint staff without  the EXE/FC approval.
14. Managers must direct all issues with Parents behaviour to the  football committee for review if a meeting is required to take place  with the Parent. It is advised that a member of the Football committee  attend the meeting.
15. It is also advised that the parent concerned is giving advance  warning of the meeting, the intended Agenda and an opportunity to have  someone of their choice to attend that meeting with them.
 In Matters of serious disciplinary issues - the club DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE will be followed.

Red Cards:

Below outline the types of red cards a Player /  Manager can receive.  For each red card the received a suspension and  fine are applied.

Red cards for the following will be paid by the club:
 

Denying a Goal or Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity by Handball

• Deliberate handball by a field player to prevent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is a red card offense.

Denying a Goal-Scoring Opportunity by a Foul (“Professional Foul”)

• If a player commits a foul to prevent an opponent’s clear path to scoring, they will be shown a red card.

Red cards for the following must be paid by the person receiving the red card:

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

Serious Foul Play

• This includes dangerous tackles or challenges that  put an opponent at risk of injury, especially if there is excessive  force or brutality involved.

Violent Conduct

• Any action involving physical aggression toward  another player, official, or even a spectator that is not part of the  gameplay, such as punching, kicking, or head-butting.

Spitting

• Spitting at anyone on or off the field, including opponents and referees, is a serious offense and results in a red card.

Offensive, Insulting, or Abusive Language and/or Gestures

• Using foul, derogatory, or offensive language,  gestures, or actions towards players, officials, or fans can lead to an  immediate red card.

Receiving a Second Yellow Card

• Two yellow cards in a single game automatically  result in a red card, meaning the player must leave the field for any of  the offences above.

D. Subscriptions:
1. The executive can change Membership and Registrations fees as they deem fit.
2. The annual Membership & Registration fees will be payable in  advance of the start of the season every year through my club Finance  online or by standing order for family memberships over the season.
3. If the fees are not paid on time a player may be dropped from all activities until payment.
4. Unemployed players/parents or players who are attending full time  third level education will be asked to pay a reduced rate deemed by the  executive.
 

E. Fundraising:
All members of the club are required to take part in fund raising. This is not optional.

The essential elements of character-building  and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and  six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,  caring, and good citizenship. The highest  potential of sport is achieved when competition reflects these "six  pillars of character."

Parents  Contract

I therefore agree:

• I will not force my child to participate in soccer.
• I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
• I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
• I  will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship  by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support  for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every  game and practice.
• I will not  engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach,  player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands;  or using profane language or gestures.
• I will not encourage any behaviours or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the players.
• I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I  will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and  spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, colour, sex or  ability.
• I will teach my child  that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child  will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her  performance.
• I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
• I will never ridicule or shout at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a match.
• I  will emphasise skill development and practices and how they benefit my  child over winning. I will also de-emphasise games and competition in  the lower age groups.
• I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the players ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
• I  will respect the officials and their authority during games and will  never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game, and will take  time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from any kind of drugs.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during matches and practices unless I am an official coach.
• I agree that from time to time my child may appear in club photos on Facebook or other forms of Media.

Managers  Contract

I therefore agree:

1. That children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.

2. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.

3. I will be a positive role model for children and  encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by  demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and  spectators at every game and practice.

4. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike  conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and  taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or  gestures.

5. I will not encourage any behaviours or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the players.

6. I will teach children to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

7. I will demand that the children treat other  players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of  race, creed, colour, sex or ability.

8. I will teach children that doing one’s best is  more important than winning, so that they will never feel defeated by  the outcome of a game or his/her performance.

9. I will praise the children for competing fairly and trying hard, and make them feel like a winner every time.

10. I will never ridicule or shout at the children or other participant for making a mistake or losing a match.

11. I will emphasise skill development and  practices and how they benefit children over winning. I will also  de-emphasise games and competition in the lower age groups.

12. I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the players ahead of any personal desire I may have to win.

13. I will demand a sports environment that is free from any kind of drugs.

POLICY ON SELECTION of Senior Players for senior teams

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of the first team playing on Sundays and the second and third team on Saturdays.

1. The objective of the Club is to promote the development of all  players so as to have its teams playing at the highest level possible.  Players will be selected for teams on the basis of their ability,  fitness, commitment and track record.
 

2. The Exe Committee, acting on behalf of the Club, shall appoint all  team managers and assistants. Managers and their assistants are  entrusted with the responsibility of managing teams on behalf of the  Club.
 

3. The first team manager shall be Club Manager with overall  responsibility for all senior teams and senior players. Other senior  team managers are expected to co-operate with and support the Club  Manager in the development of senior players and senior teams.

4. The Club Manager should watch other senior team  games as well as older schoolboy games and monitor the progress of  players. The other senior team managers should do likewise where  possible.
 

5. There should be regular combined training sessions for all senior  players as well as interchanging of players between training sessions  having regard to potential team selections. Schoolboy players may be  invited by the 1st team Manager into training sessions  with a possibility of selection for the senior teams.

6. In his selection of players the first team  manager must be conscious of the requirements of the other senior  managers and their teams. This principle also applies in turn to  subsequent team managers.

7. It is essential that good communications should  exist between the managers of the senior teams. The first team manager  and in turn the second team manager have particular responsibility to  ensure that the other manager(s) are advised  in good time regarding their selection of players. The first team  manager should hold regular meetings with the other senior managers at  which they can advise each other of issues concerning the entire senior  squad.

8. Senior managers should ensure that players who  are brought into a team from a lower team or schoolboy team are warmly  welcomed into the squad and are well treated by the other players. It is  particularly important that underage players  coming into a senior team are properly treated not only by the manager  but also by the senior players.

9. All senior players are regarded as a single pool  of players who are available to represent the club at whatever level  they are selected.

10. The first team is regarded as the pinnacle of  the Club and all managers and players are expected to assist in ensuring  that the first team has the best players to represent the Club.

11. For week-end matches, panels of players will  normally be selected on Thursday evening. The first team manager has  first choice followed in order by the other manager(s).

12. If a player from a lower team is selected to start a game for the first team on Sunday he should not play on Saturday.

13. The substitutes selected for the first team  game on Sunday should normally play for the second or third team on  Saturday. However, the first team manager may require that they play a  full game in a certain position or only part of a  game if a particular situation so requires e.g. if the first team has  an important cup match or if he feels that he will definitely need to  use the player. If the first team manager feels that a player is  unlikely to feature in the team on Sunday he may permit  such a player to play a full match on Saturday.

14. If a player, who had been selected for a higher  team, reverts to a lower team he will automatically regain his place on  the team he left. A player should never be penalised for being promoted  to a higher team.

15. Following the selection of players for each  match, the relevant senior team managers shall have responsibility for  the panel of players assigned to them for the duration of their  assignment.

16. If a senior player declines to play for the  team for which he is selected the matter should be reported (by the  selecting manager and/or the player concerned) to the Exe Committee  (Club Secretary). The Exe Committee will investigate  the matter and determine the appropriate action to take in the case.

17. Senior managers have a particular  responsibility to ensure that the club’s Code of Conduct is observed by  themselves, their players and by their assistants especially regarding  discipline and good behaviour before, during and after  matches. In exercising their responsibilities managers should lead by  example

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