Let's keep up the good behaviour
A message from the chairman to every player, parent and supporter.
West Kirby United is very fortunate to have well-behaved players and supporters. We are grateful to all of you who keep the beautiful game at its stunning best with your good behaviour, both on and off the pitch.
What we get for poor behaviour
Poor behaviour results in the club being fined and disciplinary points being imposed. The FA gives points for behaviour offences:
- Dissent or a yellow card
- 4 points
- Red card for violent conduct
- 7 points
- Red card for spitting
- 10 points
As the points accumulate, the action escalates:
- 25 points
- A warning letter.
- 50 points
- A £75 fine.
- 75 points
- A further warning letter, and a meeting with the FA.
- 100 points
- An action plan implemented by the club, and a call with the County FA discipline team.
- 125 points
- Suspension or cancellation of the club’s affiliation and accreditation.
If we reach 125 points, it basically means we cannot play any fixtures. It is also likely to result in one of our defibrillators having to be used to resuscitate our long-serving secretary, Martin Higby.
The system does not take the club’s size into account. We have about 1,000 players, and if just over 1% of them were red-carded for spitting, we could end up having all our fixtures cancelled.
What the rules say
FA rule E21 bites us every season. It says the club is responsible for ensuring our supporters
“conduct themselves in an orderly fashion whilst attending any match and do not… behave in a way which is improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative; or throw missiles or encroach on the pitch.”
In practice, if a referee reports a disorientated parent who has wandered onto the pitch during a game, we are probably getting 7 points and a £50 fine.
What we need from you
Treat players, referees and other supporters with respect. Football is played for fun at all ages, so keep it in perspective.
If the referee makes a bad decision, count to 10. If they are wearing a yellow armband, they are under 18 — so count to 100.
Many thanks,
Paul Wood
Chairman
The club’s Code of Conduct sets out what is expected of players, parents and spectators in full.