Important Information

SMB Saints are a church team who aim to compete in the true meaning of being sporting. We seek to promote a healthy attitude among our players and aim to play with dignity and pride, which includes respect for referees and opponents. Please bear this in mind by watching your language and tackles.

We believe in character building and playing as a team in addition to improving individual footballing skills. We seek to give recognition to those who demonstrate calmness and patience in the face of adversity. We will not always win matches and not always play well, but we can increase our natural tendency to react well to whatever circumstances we come across.

We participate in the East Kent Churches League and operate inside the rules of the league.

Normal rules will apply regarding bookings and sendings off. This is the responsibility of the referee and is at his discretion. Again, the referee’s decision is final and should be accepted by both teams.

It is worth pointing out that this is a Christian league, and as such matches should be played in Christian love! As such there is no place for foul and abusive language on the pitch. Therefore there will be an automatic booking for any such occurrence and this will be at the referee’s discretion. This is not to say there will be a booking for every swear word that is uttered, as in the heat of the moment we are all fallible and likely to let slip the odd word here or there. However, the booking should be used for persistent offenders and for those who direct foul and abusive language at others, be it the referee or otherwise. Again, I would ask for referee’s to be sensible and use their sound judgement in each situation that arises – in most cases common sense will dictate how you handle the situation.

There are fines for yellow and red of £5 & £10 respectively with a red card also incurring a one match ban.

Regardless of the rules of the league, SMB Saints have the following club penalties for cards received in matches:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->1 RED CARD = 1 match ban

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->3 YELLOW CARDS = 1 match ban

Team managers also reserve the right to impose penalties as they see fit.

Personal injury insurance

Unfortunately, the club does not have this type of insurance to cover the team. Please make sure you are sufficiently covered and avoid flying two-legged tackles!

SMB Saints operate on a non-profit basis for the benefit of our players. Registration fees help fund training equipment (including training bags, bibs, cones, first aid kits and balls etc.), while kit is generally funded by our sponsors.

Please do not take kit home and always put back worn kit into the kit bag at the end of matches. We do not want a situation arising where there is not enough kit on match days (in the past, we have been short of shirts, shorts and socks). However, we would also strongly encourage players to wear kit socks and shorts, to represent that we are a Saints player and united in our endeavours.

We are continually replacing balls, pumps, and other necessary equipment. Please treat SMB Saints equipment with respect and do not walk off with any of it, intentionally or otherwise. Players found to have taken Saints equipment without being authorised to do so will be asked to pay for or supply replacements.

Registration and Match Fees

Match fees are £4 for a full match, with reductions for substitutes. Match fees cover the costs of referees and pitches.

We operate a registration fee of £10 to be paid at the start of the season, accompanied by the completion of a registration form. Completion of the form is important as it contains contact details in the event of serious injury.

Any registration fees or forms outstanding after the Christmas break will result in a player being ineligible for matches, until the registration fee has been paid.

We are sympathetic of anyone unable to pay fees at any given time and are willing to make allowances under certain circumstances. Please speak to a member of the committee if this is the case.

If you would like to discuss any issues, whether football-related or not, or would like prayer for anything at all, feel free to speak to one of the guys on the committee.

SMB Saints committee