1. NAME

The name of the Club shall be ‘Gomersal & Cleckheaton Football Club’ (hereafter called the Club)

2. CLUB ETHOS & VALUES

The Club is committed to providing football opportunities for children, young people and adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in a fun, safe, inclusive and supportive environment.

The Club will:

• Promote good behaviour and respect for others.
• Ensure all players play within the rules and spirit of the game.
• Promote the importance of teamwork, commitment and personal development.
• Play to win, but not at the cost of development.

The Club recognises that participation is a choice and strives to be a well-run club with excellent facilities, supportive coaches, respectful players and parents, and a welcoming community for everyone involved in grassroots football.

3. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Club are:

• To provide football opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• To provide facilities for and promote participation in football.
• To develop players, coaches, referees and volunteers.
• To promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• To support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of participants.
• To contribute positively to the local community through sport.

The Club shall comply with the rules, regulations and policies of The Football Association, West Riding County

FA and any leagues in which it participates.

The Club recognises that volunteers are fundamental to its success and is committed to supporting, developing and recognising those who give their time to the Club.

4. POWERS

In furtherance of its objectives, the Club may:

• Affiliate to football governing bodies and leagues.
• Enter into agreements with third parties.
• Raise funds and receive grants, sponsorship and donations.
• Employ or engage services where necessary.
• Acquire, lease, hire or dispose of equipment and assets.
• Invest funds held by the Club where considered appropriate.
• Do all lawful things necessary to further the objectives of the Club.

5. MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all persons without discrimination, subject to the rules of football and safeguarding requirements.

The Club shall maintain a register of members.

The Club may refuse membership or remove membership only for good and sufficient reason, including conduct likely to bring the Club into disrepute.

Any individual shall have the right to appeal such a decision to the Management Committee

6. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Membership categories shall comprise:

Full Members; Individuals actively involved in the governance, management or operation of the Club, including:

• Club Officers
• Committee Members
• Age Group Managers
• Team Managers
• Coaches
• Life Members

The Management Committee may approve additional Full Members where appropriate.

Only Full Members shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings.

Playing Members; Players registered with the Club through the Club's approved registration process.

Where a Playing Member is under the age of 18, registration must be approved by a parent or guardian.

Life Members; Individuals whose contribution to the Club has been recognised by the Management Committee as meriting Life Membership.

7. MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS

Membership fees and subscriptions shall be determined by the Management Committee and reviewed periodically.

8. PRESIDENT

The Club may appoint a President in recognition of outstanding service to the Club.

The President shall be appointed for a period of three years and may be reappointed.

The President shall be an honorary non-voting position.

9. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

The governance structure of the Club shall comprise:

• Members
• Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Executive Committee
• Management Committee
• Football Development Forum
• Sub-Committees, Panels and Working Groups established from time to time

The detailed composition, responsibilities and delegated authority of these bodies shall be defined within the Club Governance Framework.

10. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM shall be held annually.

The AGM shall:

• Receive reports from Club Officers.
• Receive the annual accounts.
• Elect Club Officers.
• Appoint or confirm the President where required.
• Consider amendments to the Constitution.
• Conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting.

Twenty-one days' notice shall be given for the AGM.

A quorum of twelve Full Members shall be required.

11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

A Special General Meeting may be called by:

• The Chairperson.
• The Executive Committee.
• The Management Committee.
• A written request signed by not less than thirty Full Members.

At least seven days' notice shall be provided.

The quorum shall be twelve Full Members.

12. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall provide strategic leadership, governance oversight and long-term direction for the Club.

The Executive Committee shall comprise:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Welfare Officer
• Marketing, Communications & Digital Officer
• Football Development Officer
• Facilities Manager

The Executive Committee shall:

• Oversee governance, risk and compliance.
• Provide strategic leadership.
• Approve expenditure from the Development Fund.
• Approve significant financial commitments.
• Consider matters escalated by the Management Committee.
• Recommend constitutional changes to Members.

The Executive Committee shall not normally become involved in the day-to-day operation of the Club except where governance, safeguarding, legal or financial concerns arise.

The quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall be four members

13. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Club.

The composition of the Management Committee shall be defined within the Club Governance Framework.

The Management Committee shall meet not less than six times each year.

The quorum shall be one-third of appointed members.

14. SUB-COMMITTEES AND PANELS

The Management Committee may establish sub-committees, working groups and panels as required and may delegate powers to them.

All delegated decisions shall be reported to the Management Committee.

15. VOTING

Each member present and entitled to vote shall have one vote.

No individual may exercise more than one vote regardless of the number of roles held within the Club.

In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.

16. SAFEGUARDING

The welfare of children and young people shall be the Club's primary concern.

The Club shall maintain safeguarding arrangements, including the Safeguarding Handbook and supporting procedure.

17. FINANCE

The income and assets of the Club shall be applied solely towards furthering the objectives of the Club.

No profits shall be distributed to members.

The Club shall maintain appropriate accounting records and prepare annual accounts.

The financial year shall end on 30 June.

18. DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Club shall maintain a Development Fund to support the long-term development, sustainability and strategic objectives of the Club.

A monthly contribution shall be made to the Development Fund from membership income. The amount of the monthly contribution shall be determined through the Club's annual budgeting process and approved by the Management Committee.

The governance, operation and permitted use of the Development Fund shall be defined within the Club Governance Framework and Financial Governance Policy.

Expenditure from the Development Fund shall require Executive Committee approval in accordance with the Club's delegated financial authority and shall be reported annually to the AGM.

19. ASSETS

All assets acquired by the Club shall remain the property of the Club.

No Club asset may be disposed of without the approval of the Management Committee.

The Management Committee shall ensure appropriate records of Club assets are maintained.

20. TRUSTEES

The Management Committee may appoint one or more Trustees where required to hold assets on behalf of the Club or to fulfil any legal, regulatory or contractual requirement.

The appointment, responsibilities and terms of any Trustee shall be determined by the Management Committee at the time of appointment.

Trustees shall act only within the authority granted to them by the Club and shall report to the Management Committee.

21. INSURANCE

The Club shall maintain appropriate insurance arrangements including Public Liability Insurance and any other insurance considered necessary by the Management Committee.

22. DISSOLUTION

The Club may only be dissolved by a resolution passed by at least seventy-five percent (75%) of Full Members present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting convened for that purpose.

Any remaining assets following settlement of liabilities shall be transferred to a sporting, charitable or community organisation with similar objectives and shall not be distributed amongst members.

23. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may only be amended by a resolution passed by at least seventy-five percent (75%) of Full Members present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting.