As defined in SCOR with the following additions.

Nomenclature & Constitution

(A). The League will run one tournament throughout the season, with the format agreed before the
Competitions start. The entire control and management of the Cup Competitions shall be vested
by the Swindon & District Football League Management and Cup Committees, who shall have
power to formulate the Rules of the Cup Competition and to alter or add to the Rules from time to
time.
The Trophies being the absolute property of the “official sponsors” and confined for annual
competition to clubs who are members of the Swindon and District League.

Knockout Cup Format

The Swindon & District League Challenge Cup, is a single elimination Tournament integrated
with the League fixtures, and played throughout the season.

The George Thomas/Don Rogers Knockout Plate Competition (the plate for the Swindon &
District League single elimination tournament),is confined to those clubs that fail to win their
opening game in the Swindon & District League Knockout Cup.

Entry Fees

(B). Cup and Plate Competitions, (integrated with the fixtures throughout the season), the entry is
mandatory for all teams. The entry fee for both formats in accordance with the published Tariff.
When the round robin competition is played at the end of the season entries will be voluntary, the
fee in accordance with the published tariff.
Refusal to enter will result in a fine in accordance with the Fine tariff.

Eligible Clubs & Qualification Of Players

(C). The single elimination Competitions is open to all teams (including Development & Reserves).
.
Eligibility of players.
SINGLE ELIMINATION COMPETITIONS
To be eligible to play at each stage of the single elimination tournament a player:

(i) Where a team can prove to the satisfaction of the Management Committee that it has not been able to complete at least 50% of its league fixtures up to the date of the semi- final and registered before 31st December then as long as 2 games have been completed then they will be eligible to play in the semi- final”

(ii) Must have been registered at least 72 hours prior to the original date fixed for the round.

(iii) Must not have played for another club in any other Cup Competition controlled by the
Swindon and District Football League during the current season.

(iv) Must not have played in any Competition (Cup or League) SENIOR to this (other than a
County FA Junior Cup Competition), after the start of the current season, prior to playing in any
game in the Competition. .For clarity, a player can play for a senior club BEFORE the SDFL
season starts.
Please Note: Wiltshire Premier League & Hellenic are the main local senior competition. For
clarity, Wiltshire Divisions One & Hellenic Division 2 teams are equivalent to SDFL.

(v) To clarify, (to have played a game), players must have taken part in a match. Being named as
substitute and not having played, does not count.

(vi) Semi-Final eligibility. Subject to the above conditions a player may compete from the
Semi – Finals onwards
(a) If he has taken part in at least 4 Swindon & District Cup or League games for his
competing club during the current season.
(b) Where a team can prove to the satisfaction of the Management Committee that it has not been able to complete at least 50% of its league fixtures up to the date of the semi final and registered before 31st December then as long as 2 games have been completed then they will be eligible to play in the semi final.

(vii) Eligibility for postponed matches or replays
(a) In the case of postponed or replayed matches only players who were eligible to play on the
date originally fixed for the tie shall be eligible to play.
(b) Players also excluded will be those who were under suspension by the County FA, through
suspension in any competition, when the original tie was due to have taken place.

(viii) Any winning teams proven to have fielded ineligible players without reasonable excuse shall be
eliminated from the Competition and the tie awarded to their opponents, otherwise a replay shall be ordered with a fine in accordance with the published Tariff and match day expenses for the
replay awarded against the defaulting team.

(x) Where a losing team is awarded a game and is also found guilty of playing an ineligible player,
without good reason, it shall be eliminated.

(xi) The losing team shall not be unduly disadvantaged by the date of the replay. The same principle
shall apply to any team involved in a drawn game that requires a replay.

(ix) 5 substitutes can be named and used.

(xiii) Any challenge of player eligibility must be made at time of team sheet exchange before start of
game but is between the teams, the SDFL Management Committee can take further action on
any indiscretion based on reports and submitted team sheets.

Club Colours

(D). If playing on a neutral ground the management Committee shall decide on the colours. The
second team “drawn out of the hat” will change in clash of colours for the Final.

Playing Season, Condition Of Play, Kick Off Times, Substitues

(E) (i) All formats, matches must be played on the date fixed unless otherwise arranged by the Cups
Secretary on behalf of the Management Committee. October matches with a 1.30 pm kick off. If a
club is unable to play a Cup fixture on the date stated it will result in the game being awarded to
their opponents

(ii) Ground. The club first drawn shall be deemed to be the home team but allowed have the
choice of ground up to the Quarter Finals, at the discretion of the Management Committee…

(iii) Duration of matches
KNOCKOUT CUP – ALL CUP & PLATE MATCHES, INCLUDING SEMI FINALS & FINALS. In
the event of a MATCH BEING DRAWN AT THE END OF 90 MINUTES 30 MINUTES OF EXTRA
TIME IS TO BE PLAYED, THEN IF THE MATCH IS STILL LEVEL, IT WILL BE DECIDED BY
PENALTY KICKS, in accordance with FIFA conditions.

Match Expenses for all Cup Competitions

(i) The cost of staging each tie up to the Final will be borne equally by both competing Clubs,
unless otherwise directed by the Management Committee, and must be settled on or before
the day of the match.
(ii) Any club found guilty of failing to reimburse its opponents with its share of the cost of
staging the match, on or before the day of the match, will be fined in accordance with the
published Tariff.
(iii) Where the Management Committee directs that the League will pay all or part of the
expenses for staging any match, up to the Final, the competing clubs must submit an
application to the League, together with legitimate proof of expenditure incurred, within a time
limit specified by the Management Committee.

The Finals

(i) The Finals shall be played at Gerard Buxton Stadium on Saturday 27th April 2024. Clubs
shall bear their own travelling expenses.
(ii) All 4 competing teams shall provide two footballs suitable for match play. Failure to do so,
or if the match official deems one or more unsuitable, the defaulting club(s) will be fined in
accordance with the published Tariff.