1.0 Name

1.1 The name of the association shall be “AFC Fylde Supporters Group”. The Group is to operate as a “not for profit” organisation with all funds raised or profits gained to be reinvested within the Group.

2.0 Objectives and Purpose

2.1 To organise the support all football teams associated with AFC Fylde.

2.2 To promote the interest of and provide facilities for the supporters of AFC Fylde.

2.3 To set down and encourage the acceptance of standards of conduct to be observed by members of the Supporters Group.

2.4 To organise social events, competitions and fundraising to further the aims of the Supporters Group. This will also enable the Supporters Group to make donations to AFC Fylde for specific defined activities or projects.

2.5 To encourage friendly relations with supporters of all football clubs.

2.6 To encourage participation of younger members (under 16’s) and senior members (over 60’s) of the Supporters Group.

2.7 To carry out such things that may be deemed beneficial to facilitate the objectives of the Supporters Group.

2.8 To encourage closer links between players and supporters.

3.0 The Committee

3.1 The Supporters Group shall be governed by a Committee comprising of members of the Supporters Group. Roles within the Committee shall be proposed and seconded by members and a vote undertaken to determine selection at the AGM. All roles within the Committee shall be re-elected at each AGM

3.2. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings, including Committee Meetings. They shall have a casting vote in all decisions. In their absence the chair shall be filled by the Secretary, or by a member appointed by the Committee members present at any such meeting.
3.3. The Secretary will issue all dates of any upcoming meeting of members and Committee, and in general attend to all correspondence. They will keep records of meetings and will make available Minutes to all members.
3.4. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate and up to date record of all transactions of members funds. They shall keep a bank account in the name of AFC Fylde Supports Group, to be operated by any two from the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, or a nominated member. They shall submit a statement to the Committee at each Committee Meeting and at the end of the financial year shall close their books and prepare a statement of account inclusive of all receipts and expenditure to be presented to the AGM. When it is deemed appropriate, the statement of account will be audited or reviewed by an appropriate independent individual. The Financial year will run from 1st July until 30th June.
3.5. The appointed members of the Committee of the Supporters Group shall not be less than three (3) and not more than ten (10). The minimum number of attendees at a Committee meeting shall not be less than three (3).

3.6. The quorum at Members Meetings of the Supporters Group shall not be less than ten (10) members (one of which must be the Chairman or Secretary).

3.7. The quorum at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings shall not be less than 15 members or 50% of the membership, whichever is the lower.

4. Rules

4.1 The Supporters Group shall adopt rules governing the day-to-day conduct of the Supporters Group and the rules and any amendments thereto shall not conflict with the provisions of this constitution. Amendments to the constitution shall only be made at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting.

5. Membership

5.1. Membership is open to any individual who:
a) Is a supporter of any AFC Fylde team.
b) Agrees to be bound by the rules as described by the AFC Fylde Supporters Group and this constitution; and
c) Is not subject to any football related ban or disciplinary action.

5.2. Membership of the Supporters Group will be open to all age groups. Every candidate will complete a membership form to be accepted by the Committee who reserve the right to refuse the application. The Secretary will provide the applicant with the reasons for rejection; if rejected the applicant will have the right to appeal.

5.3. Members are to pay an annual subscription fee and make payment as stated in the Group rules. Membership shall be renewable annually from 1 July each calendar year.

5.4. In the event of a member making payment to the Supporters Group for an event and subsequently failing to attend, any repayment of the monies received will be at the discretion of the members.

5.5. The Supporters Group Committee shall have the power to reprimand, suspend or expel any member who shall infringe any rule or whose conduct shall, in their opinion, render them unfit for membership. Before any such suspension the member concerned shall be given the right to explain their conduct to the Committee. A suspended member shall forfeit all rights of membership during suspension. No expelled or suspended member will be entitled to the return of any part of their membership fee.

5.6 No member may use the name or title of the Supporters Group without the written authority of the Committee.

6.0 Meetings

The Committee shall give at least 14 days notice of any annual, extraordinary or general meeting. The Chairperson may invite any person to attend an Annual General or Extraordinary General Meetings in a non-voting capacity at the request of the members. Only members over the age of 16 will be allowed a vote at any meeting.

6.1 General Meeting

6.1.1 A General Meeting can be called by a minimum of 15, or 50% of members, whichever is the lower, of the Supporters Group.

• Annual General meeting (AGM)
  2.1. The AGM shall take place within 3 months of the end of the financial year.
  6.2.2. Any items for the agenda must be submitted to the Committee Secretary in writing at least 14 days prior to the AGM.
  6.2.3. Each full paid-up member shall have one vote at an AGM by show of hands or by private recorded vote. In the event of a tie the Chairperson will have the casting vote.

6.2.4. The main purpose of the AGM will be:
6.2.4.1. To approve and sanction the appointment of the Supporters Group committee.
6.2.4.2. To receive, review and if approved, the adoption of the annual report and statement of the Supporters Group accounts for the preceding year.
6.2.4.3. To deal with any special matters raised by the membership, subject to notification, or at the discretion of the Chairperson.

• Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
  3.1. The purpose of an EGM is to deal with an urgent item of business that would normally only be dealt with at an AGM. An EGM can be called at any time by either a majority of the full committee membership or 25% of the individual membership. Reasons for requesting an EGM must be made in writing to the Secretary. These reasons will then be stated in a notice to the full membership of the Group with 14 days notification of the EGM being given to Members.
• Fans Forum
  • A fans Forum can be requested by AFC Fylde giving 14 days’ notice of such an event together with an agenda of matters for discussion.

7. Finance

7.1 The Supporters Group year shall run from 1st July to 30th June.

7.2 The Supporters Group shall keep accounts of all transactions connected with the Supporters Group and shall have a bank account which all funds received by the Supporters Group shall be paid into.

7.3 Accounts of the Supporters Group shall be prepared annually.

7.4 All funds arising from activities of the Supporters Group shall be applied in accordance with the rules of the Supporters Group.

7.5 In the event of the winding up of the Supporters Group, all its assets, monies and other securities shall be disposed to AFC Fylde.

8. Relationship with AFC Fylde

8.1. The Supporters Group shall be administratively and financially independent of the AFC Fylde senior teams.

8.2. The Committee will represent the views of the membership by means of regular meetings with AFC Fylde representatives as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the two organisations.

9. Unspecified Matters

9.1. Any matter not covered by the above shall be dealt with by the Committee.

This constitution was approved by the Annual General Meeting of the Group held on 2^nd November 2022