Aston Clinton Colts Tournament 2025 Rules

1. Competition Format

1.1 This Competition is called Aston Clinton Colts Tournament and is sanctioned by the Berks & Bucks County FA

1.2. The competition is by open invitation. Applications will only be considered upon

receipt of a fully completed entry form and cleared payment. Entries will be confirmed by the Tournament Organiser at least seven days prior to the tournament. 

1.3 No Academy players are eligible to play in any team in the tournament. Fielding an academy player will result in team disqualifiction from the tournament, no refunds.To ensure an enjoyable experience for all the teams taking part, this tournament is not open to teams playing in EJA, JPL or Academy level leagues.

2. Age Groups, Squads & Player Qualification

2.1. Age groups will relate to the 24/25 season.

2.2. Each team shall register a squad of players on the day of the competition.

2.3. Each team may register a squad of up to 10 players.

2.4. Each registered player shall only play for one team throughout the duration of the tournament. 2.5. Each team shall appoint a manager. The manager shall be responsible for their team being registered on arrival and being 

available to play on the correct pitch at the correct time. The manager is also responsible for adherence to the tournament rules and communication of the rules to their squads’ players and supporters

2.6. All players must wear shin pads and appropriate footwear. For the U6 age group, all players must have attained the age of 6 years old to be able to take part.

2.7 U6, U13, U14, U15 are 5-a-side. Other categories are 6-a-side.

3. Duration of Matches & Balls

3.1. All matches will be 12 mins - no break.

3.2. No half time, no swapping ends.

3.3. All teams are responsible for considering players’ playing time does not exceed the FA’s

guidelines on maximum playing time for children

3.4. In each match the first named team will provide an appropriate quality and correct sized match ball.

3.5. In the event of a clash of colours, the second named team should provide alternative shirts / bibs. 

4. Scores & Results 4.1. All knockout matches will be decided by the teams scoring the most goals during normal time. In the final, if the score is equal after normal time, a penalty shootout will decide the winner.

5. Playing Rules 

5.1. The Laws of association football will apply.

5.2. Substitutes are roll on, roll off from those named on the registration form. A substituted player can return in the same match. Referee’s must be informed of and allow

substitutions. The number of substitutions made during a game is unlimited. 

Appendix A

7. Reporting Results

7.1. The referee / winning team shall be responsible for reporting the result of the game to the

result co-ordinator at the conclusion of each game.

8. Protests and Appeals

8.1. All questions of eligibility, qualification of players or interpretation of Rules shall be referred to the Tournament Committee, but no objection relative to the dimensions of the playing area or other appurtenances thereon shall be entertained by the Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the game.

9. Referees

9.1. Referees shall be appointed by the Competition.

10. Medals and trophies

10.1 The following will receive a medal:

Winners (U9 and 10 age-group), everyone (U8 & U6/7’s)

Appendix B

Match Rules

Wherever possible, normal FA rules apply except:

A. There are no offsides.

B. Players are allowed into the goal area.

C. The goalkeeper may leave the goal area.

D. The goalkeeper may handle the ball in the goal area only.

E. The goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball from a back pass.

F. Should the goalkeeper pick the ball up from a back pass, then a

direct free kick is awarded. U6’s will be given 1 warning on back

passes in the spirit of helping them understand the rules of the

game.

G. A team cannot score directly from kick-off, a goal kick, or a dead ball

situation unless the ball is touched by another player or gk before

going in the net.

H. Goal kicks are to be taken from the goal line for age-groups U9

upwards.

I. For U6, U7’s and U8’s, opposition players shall retreat to the half-

way line for goal kicks.

J. Goalkeepers from U9 upwards cannot kick the ball into play directly

from their hands, it must be thrown out either underarm or overarm

or playing it with their feet. Should the goalkeeper return the ball

into play by kicking it, then a direct free kick is awarded.

K. Opposing players must stand least 5 yards from free kicks, corners

and goal kicks and kick ins.

L. Rolling substitutions are allowed in all age-groups at any time after

making the referee aware. Players must leave the pitch at the

halfway point closest to their coach and the oncoming sub. Once the

player has left the field of play the oncoming player may enter. If the

player enters before the opposition has left, then a direct freekick

from where the ball is will be given and the offending player sin

binned.

M. There are no throw ins. When a ball goes out of play the player must

place the ball on the touch line where it went out. They stand clear

then can dribble on and play as normal or pass the ball direct below

the referee’s knee height. This is the same for corners. Players do

not need to wait for the opposition to be ready and can react as

quickly as possible. The player cannot score direct from the kick.

N. Should a knockout match finish in a draw then each team must

select 3 players from their squad. They then play golden goal 3v3.

After 2 minutes if no goal is scored a player is removed so 2v2. After

another 2 minutes 1v1 then play until a goal is scored. Substitutions

can only happen from injury.

O. Ball sizes: U6 - u10, Size 3, U11 and above Size 4.

Discipline

P. This competition uses the yellow and red card system.

Q. An accumulation of two yellow cards in a single game in the

competition will result in the player being suspended from the next

match.

R. Two yellow cards in one match equals a red card and the player will

be sent off.

S. A player who receives a yellow card will receive a two minute sin

bin.

T. A player who receives a straight red card will not be permitted to

take any further part in the competition.

U. All cautions and red cards will be dealt with on the day of the match.

V. Any time wasting by kicking balls away or standing in front of the

ball will be an instant yellow card and 2 minute sin bin.

W. Any misconduct from the tournament will be reported to Berks &

Bucks FA by the referee as normal.

X. The Referees decision is final.

Y. We have u18 referees and volunteers. Anyone found to show

threatening, abusive, or aggressive behaviour will have the police

called and asked to leave the park. Any coaches behaving in such

away will have their team disqualified and asked to leave. The FA

will be informed.

Z. Any issues please speak to the referee not officiating at that time

and they will direct you towards the chairman.

AA. Aston Clinton Colts are proud to follow the FA Respect Code.

Any team or individual not abiding by the Respect guidelines may be

asked to leave the tournament.