1. Bilston Partnership Youth Football League
Pre-match, match-day & post-match procedures
A Guide for Managers – page 1
FIXTURES – pre-match, pitch issues, kick-off times
When must I contact the referee and opposition? Four clear days before the match.
What if I can’t contact the referee? Contact Richard Jordan
What if I can’t contact the opposition manager? Contact the opposition Club Secretary (details will be in the League Directory).
What if the home team hasn’t contacted me by the Wednesday? Make reasonable efforts to contact them yourself. If no contact can be made, contact Chris Johnson for advice on
What if my pitch isn’t available? It is your responsibility to ensure you have a pitch when you are the home team. In exceptional circumstances where your pitch isn’t available the advice is to discuss with your opposition switching the fixture to their home pitch and/or contacting your local council to locate any available pitch. ALWAYS KEEP THE REFEREE INFORMED.
What if my pitch is unplayable? If the referee is not present you MUST contact him/her first to discuss. The referee can insist on carrying out a pitch inspection in person, and if he/she does so and agrees the pitch is unplayable, he/she is entitled to half match fee. You MUST also keep your opposition informed in reasonable time.
Do I have to tell anyone else if my match is postponed? The home team MUST inform the Results Co-ordinator as though calling in a result (see next page)
What are the kick-off times? For u12 it is 10.30am.. For u17 to u21 it is 2.00pm. For mini- soccer the kick-off times will be shown on the fixture lists distributed at the League meetings.
What if I or my opposition want to change a kick-off time? Teams should be reasonable with each other and endeavour to co-operate with such requests. THE REFEREE MUST ALSO AGREE. In the event of any disagreement then the kick-off time will be as stated above. Occasionally the referee may require the kick-off time to be changed; both teams are expected to make best endeavours to comply with the request.
FIXTURES - match day, match officials
Do the opposition have to see my Registration cards? Yes both teams must exchange cards before the game.
Can I simply list my whole squad on the match report from? NO. The form should list only your match day squad. If you have an ineligible player listed on your form the player will be deemed to have played and disciplinary action against your team can result.
How many substitutes can I name? Five for u8s, seven for all other age groups. Note: check the rules of County Cups or other non-BPYFL competitions you enter.
Are all subs roll-on/roll-off? Yes, at all age groups and including County Cups.
What if the opposition don’t arrive on time? You must allow 20 minutes after which time you are entitled to leave and consider the match postponed. But do try to make contact.
What if the referee doesn’t turn up? Inform Richard Jordan and make reasonable efforts to agree with the opposition to appoint a referee from either team’s party.
What if I don’t have enough players on a match-day? The League rules make clear the minimum number of players which constitute a team for a match. These are: SEVEN for 11-a-side, SIX for 9-a-side, FIVE for 7-a-side and FOUR for 5-a-side. If you have that number of players available you are expected to play
What is the maximum duration of matches? u7 & u8 – 40mins; u9 & u10 – 50mins; u12 – 60mins; u17 to u21 – 90mins.
What if there‘s a colour clash? The HOME team must change however BOTH teams MUST have a set of bibs available to facilitate colour differentiation.
Who pays the referee’s fee? For ALL games except Cup Finals the referee’s fee is paid by the AWAY team. The HOME team must collect the fee and present to the referee.
What do I do if I want a League Assistant Referee? Contact Richard Jordan in advance to make the request. You will be responsible for the Assistant Referee’s fee.
What if my game is abandoned? You must describe why on the match form and send it in. You must also notify your Results Coordinator (see next page).

2. MATCH REPORT FORM & REPORTING RESULTS
Bilston Partnership Youth Football League
Pre-match, match-day & post-match procedures
A Guide for Managers – page 2
MATCH REPORT FORM & REPORTING RESULTS
Note: For County Cups and other external competitions you must use the match form applicable for that competition and do with it as described in that competition’s rules. DO NOT send it to the BPYFL Match Report Form Secretary. The details below apply to the BPYFL match form only.
Which information must go on the form? All sections of the form need to be completed and the form signed by both teams and the referee. Make sure the player names and numbers are legible. Ensure all goalscorers are marked accordingly and yellow/red cards are clearly indicated. Also make sure BOTH teams have awarded a mark out of 100 for the referee. The HOME team is responsible for making sure the form is completed and signed, and that it is submitted on time.
What do I do with the Match Form? For u12 upwards, send it to Debbie Reynolds the League Secretary by post or in person (see Directory), or good quality legible scanned images to her via and then bring the original to the next League meeting. However you send it, the form MUST be received NO LATER THAN THREE DAYS after the match. For mini-soccer hand the fully completed form to a member of the League team at the venue.
Before sending the form make sure you have to hand the information required when submitting your result (see below):
When do I need to give the result of my match? The HOME team must submit the result and other required information (see below) NO LATER THAN 6.00PM on the day of the game. Teams involved in external cup competitions must report the result whether home or away.
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What information is required when I submit the result?
The team names
Age Group
Type of match – League or Cup and if Cup, which one
The final score including penalty shoot-out score if applicable
FULL names of scorers for BOTH teams (penalty shoot-out scorers are not required)
How do I submit the result and other information?
For u12s send the information to Julie Wigley by text to or by to
For u17 – u21s send the information to Dave Wigley by text to or by to
Note: Dave & Julie are happy to receive the information any time prior to the 6.00pm deadline. Both will ALWAYS acknowledge your text/ so if you do not receive an acknowledgement by 6.00pm assume your message has not been received.
And please remember, if you are in an external cup competition (home or away) you are still required to submit result information.
Finally, also remember for abandoned matches the match form must be submitted and Julie / Dave notified.