Chris Brown Secretary of newly formed club Stage E.U. offers advice to teams thinking about obtaining the award.

How to achieve a charter standard award for your club.

What is the F.A. Charter Standard Scheme?

Firstly, the Charter Standard Scheme sets standards for coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League. It is a benchmark for quality; it will improve the playing experience for all. It allows your club run smoother and with more professionalism to enhance the playing experience for all involved i.e. players, coaching staff and those who do all the work behind the scenes.

What does your club need to do to achieve the award?

Firstly, you will have to contact the Suffolk FA and speak with a gentleman called Chris Walsh, who will send you a pack with all the relevant criteria for you to fill out. Once you have received this, you will need to follow the step by step guide required for this achievement. It is a very simple process, all you have to do is insert a CD ROM and fill out all the blanks in the PDF files that are their. Below is a sample of what you will be required to submit on the forms provided

• Rule and procedures for the running of the club.
• Set guidelines for coaching staff and players
• Set guidelines for spectators
• Rules and Regulations of receiving finance for the club
• Code of conduct for adult players
• Code of conduct for football
• Player recruitment policy
To see more please go to the Suffolk FA website and follow the link.

They will ask for committee notes, AGM minutes, finance records and they will also ask for proof of the first aider in your club and they will need to hold a current qualification. There is also an application form that will be needed to be filled in and accompany the forms and supporting evidence.

What happens next?

Once they have completed your application and returned it to Suffolk F.A., they will forward it to the FA in London. It normally takes up to three weeks for them to write back and send you all the relevant information. As I said previously it is a very simple process, all you really have to do is set a side a short amount of time to fill in the relevant information on the PDF files and then print them off. It is worth doing as you do receive a lot of bonuses for doing this.

How would the club benefit from the Charter Standard?

The good thing about this scheme is that you receive so much from it, for instance:

• You get 40% of all football pitches if booked through the local council
• You receive £100’s worth of Umbro vouchers
• The support of all FA staff around the country
• A plaque that you can hang on the wall of your club
• A certificate saying that you have received this award.
• Also a CD ROM with logos and publicity information.

The other good thing about this that it DOESNT cost anything! It’s FREE! As the club secretary of Stage EU Football Club, I have to say it’s definitely worth pursuing.

If you have any further questions about the Charter Standard Scheme, please contact,
Suffolk FA. Headquarters is open Monday to Friday between 9:00am & 5:00pm the address is:
Suffolk FA
Bill Steward House
The Buntings
Cedars Park
Stowmarket
IP14 5GZ Tel: 01449 616606 Fax: 01449 616607 Email: info@suffolkfa.com
Details supplied by Chris Brown, Club Secretary and Treasurer, Stage Security European. Football Club holders of the F.A.Charter.


Congratulation to Stage Security on achieving the prestigious F.A. Charter award says Flare League Chairman and Secretary Bob Friend. “The benefits to clubs are enormous and well worth the small amount time and effort that is required in achieving the standard “The Flare League need at least 60 percent of the league teams Charter Awarded to be able to gain Charter status for its self. At no cost to teams, other than a little time, it shouldn’t be long before the league can apply for the award.

With almost 500 matches postponed so far this season club secretaries need to be aware that F.A. and League Cup rounds will need to be played if they are still outstanding. They are also required to make sure that the league fixture that is being replaced by any re-arranged cup game is postponed by them and the team that they were scheduled to play and the appointed referee are duly notified. Please don’t allow teams and referees to turn up for games that are no longer going ahead as they could re-arrange one of their own outstanding fixtures helping to ease the back log.