"The FA Charter Standard is awarded to clubs who display a commitment to delivering a quality experience to its players and those who attain the Charter Standard are taking part in a genuine grassroots revolution.

They need to demonstrate that they are well managed with qualified coaches, adherence to FA Child Protection best practice and in raising standards , for example by the promotion of a Code of Conduct."

Les Howie, The FA National Club Development Manager

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1. Name: The club shall be called the "Martlesham Youth Football Club" (hereafter called MYFC), and shall be affiliated to the Suffolk County Football Association.
(Suffolk FA affiliation no. for season 2007/08: EY100190)

2. Mission: The aim of the club shall be to provide association football for its members and such Social and Recreational pursuits as may be considered desirable by the General Committee.
The scope of the club's policy regarding signing on players, vetting adult helpers, code of conduct etc. are covered in other documents that are reviewed as appropriate by the General Committee.

3. Officers: The officers of the club shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

4. Committee: The club shall be controlled by a General Committee consisting of the aforementioned Officers and six other members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting or appointed by the Officers of the club within 21 days of the AGM.
The six other officers may be drawn from individuals performing the roles such as:

• Vice Chairperson
• Assistant Secretary
• Assistant Treasurer
• Membership Secretary
• Publicity Officer
• Team Managers
• Fundraising Organiser
• Discipline Secretary
• Managers Co-ordinator
• Assistant Team Manager
• Publicity Officer
• Pitch Bookings Co-ordinator
• Parent Co-ordinator

5. Committee Meetings: The General Committee will meet at approximately monthly intervals and the proceedings recorded. At the meetings of the General Committee, five appointed committee members shall form a quorum. The Martlesham Parish Council representative shall be entitled to vote on any matters other than those concerning the Martlesham Parish Council, although the representative will be entitled to express an opinion. In addition to the voting members of the General Committee, other representatives of MYFC may attend the meetings as appropriate to the business in hand. Such persons will normally represent the roles listed in Rule 4.

6. Powers of the Committee: The property and/or assets of the Club shall be vested in the General Committee.
The General Committee shall have the power to appoint such Sub-committees as may from time to time be deemed necessary and shall receive reports of such committee at its meetings. Examples could be for the organisation of tournaments, training, publicity or fundraising events.
The General Committee shall have power to suspend or expel any member deemed guilty of conduct prejudicial to the good name of the club. As such the General Committee has the final decision on behalf of the club regarding misconduct (see Rule 11).
The General Committee has the final decision on behalf of the club regarding complaints (see Rule 12).
The General Committee shall have power to fill such vacancies as may arise in its constitution between AGMs. The General Committee shall have power to declare a seat vacant should a member be absent from 4 consecutive meetings without an explanation deemed to be satisfactory.
The General Committee shall be responsible for ensuring any Roles and Responsibilities for the effective running of the club are fulfilled as appropriate. The General Committee shall maintain appropriate documentation for the club, including matters relating to club policy.
Candidates for election to the General Committee shall be proposed and seconded by club members.

7. Membership: A member of the club shall be regarded as follows:-
7.1. A player who has signed a club membership form and who may have registered with a football league affiliated with the Suffolk FA in the name of MYFC. Note that for some local leagues, a player who has registered with the league as a member of a particular team remains so until de-registered (e.g. Ipswich & District Sunday Youth Football League).
7.2. Appointed members of the General Committee.
7.3. Those individuals noted each year as performing recognised roles on behalf of MYFC (e.g. as listed in No. 4).
7.4. For the purposes of voting at SGMs/EGMs, and the club's disciplinary or complaints procedures, members shall also include the parents or guardians of players who are members.
A register of club members shall be kept by the club membership secretary. The membership year shall run from 1st June to 31st May annually. In the event of non-payment of due subscriptions by 31st December membership will be deemed to be terminated.
A member wishing to resign shall give notice to this effect in writing to the team manager concerned or an officer of the club, such notice to be accompanied by payment of all club dues at that date. The General Committee, and the Membership Secretary in particular, must be notified of this fact so that any further action required can be taken (see note under 7.1 above).

8. Membership Fee & Other Subscriptions: The membership fee will either be graded according to age groups or a flat rate and be paid either by instalments or as a single payment. This fee is intended to cover a number of costs including:- league registration fees for teams, limited insurance cover for players, pitch marking fees, footballs and training equipment, general playing equipment (goals, nets, flags etc.) and limited maintenance. Other costs, such as goalkeeper gloves, full team kit will be considered by the General Committee although teams are encouraged to seek sponsorship where possible (subject to Rule 15).
The current payment arrangements are for a single payment that is a flat rate for all age groups.
The membership fee is agreed at an AGM via a valid proposition. Each year, members of the General Committee or Team Managers will be entitled to a free membership for their dependants. This concession is not available to persons performing recognised roles who are not either on the General Committee or a Team Manager.
Other subscriptions will include match fees for league and cup competitions. Team Managers may also request additional subscriptions for special training or other events.
Concessionary membership Status
The annual membership fee and additional charges (such as match subs) shall be discounted by 50% of the full rates.
Members must reveal to the Committee changes in circumstances that removes concessionary status.
Member's parent/guardian in receipt of one of the following types of benefits qualify for concessionary status:

• Job seeker Allowance Income based
• Housing benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Family Credit
• State retirement pension
• Council Tax Benefit

9. Annual General Meeting: The AGM shall be held not normally later the 31st May in each year. The Secretary should give 21 days notice of such meetings to all members. The financial statement and Chairman's report shall be received by the meeting, which will also elect the Officers and General Committee as stated in item 4. If more than one officer is nominated, a ballot will be conducted. The AGM will also appoint Auditors or approve the results from such.

10. Extraordinary General Meeting: An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the Committee when deemed desirable and also upon the written request of 10% of the membership. The Secretary shall give seven clear day's clear notice to all members of such meetings at which 25% of members shall form a quorum.

11. Code of Conduct and Misconduct Procedure: The club will maintain a Code of Conduct (see Code of Conduct for MYFC Members, Managers, Players, Parents & Spectators) which all club members, managers, parents and friends of MYFC players shall be expected to follow. The General Committee will review this Code, together with an associated misconduct procedure, as necessary. Players and spectators will be asked by the club to settle any fines resulting from their behaviour.

12. Child Protection, Equal Opportunities and Anti- Discrimination: The Club will abide by the Football Association's Child Protection Policies and procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Equal Opportunities and Anti- Discrimination Policy available at http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/GOALChildProtection?Downloads or a copy can be requested from the club secretary.

13. Complaints Procedure: The club will operate a complaints procedure which all club members, managers, parents and friends of MYFC players with grievances shall be expected to follow. The General Committee will review this procedure, as necessary.

14. Finance: The General Committee shall require the treasurer to keep a book of accounts for the club that shall be audited annually.
The General Committee shall authorise cheques to be signed by two of its members, one of whom is normally the treasurer.
Details of expenditures that are to be paid for out of club funds must be provided to the treasurer.
The treasurer will require a regular statement of accounts from each team manager.
The treasurer will also require details of the accounts for any club fundraising activity, including all receipts for expenditure.
Each team may organise limited fundraising to cover the cost of activities or equipment that the club would not normally be expected to pay for. Each team is encouraged to seek sponsorship for team kit where possible subject to Rule 15.

15. Roles & Responsibilities: A list of appropriate Roles and Responsibilities for the effective running of the club will be kept, and appointment of persons to perform these roles, and any changes necessary, is the responsibility of the General Committee. The club secretary will keep a list of these roles, a description of the responsibilities involved, and any persons appointed.

16. Club Colours and Logo: The General Committee shall decide upon the club colours and any logo to be used on kit or official communications from the club. Any new kit, including tracksuits or training tops shall conform to these colours and the logo. The colours, unless agreed and noted elsewhere will be black shorts/socks and green shirts with white and/or black markings. Deviations to this rule, for example where a particular sponsorship arrangement available stipulates such can only be accepted following approval of General Committee (a majority vote). Where possible, any publicity material should also make use of the club colours or any approved logo.

17. Club Vision: The club shall maintain a forward-looking Vision to encourage improvements to the service it offers members and the community at large. Details of the Vision, and any plans to achieve aspects of it, will be made available to club members.

18. Alteration to Rules: No alteration to these rules shall be made except at the AGM or at a monthly committee meeting which are consistent and necessary to allow the club to apply for the FA Standard Charter. These changes can be approved with the caveat that any changes made during the year will be advised and reviewed at the next AGM

19. Other Business: Any matters not governed by the foregoing rules shall be dealt with by the General Committee, the decision of which shall be final and binding.

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Our committee comprises all the team managers (see the 'Teams' menu for details) plus:

Role	Name	Contact
Chairperson	Hugh Curle	01473 623222
Vice chairperson	David Lesaint	01473 333243
Secretary	Elaine Lynch	01473 612017
Child Protection	Jim Booth	01473 623141
Treasurer	Andy Parrish	01473 636166
Assistant Treasurer	Vacant
Discipline Secretary	Howard Donovan	01394 387410
Membership	Lucy Hodge
Fundraising	Jon Yates

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We take child protection extremely seriously. We have a Child Welfare Officer who's role it is to consider child protection issues in their various forms.

This website uses images of our players in accordance with the FA's 'Ten Golden Rules' for appropriate use:

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For queries or problems with this website please email the webmaster