Cumberland FA

Debt Recovery

On Behalf of Affiliated Clubs and Leagues

RECOVERING DEBT OWED TO YOUR CLUB.

Unfortunately in football there are occasions when players leave clubs without paying their debts and sometimes leaving clubs in financial difficulty.

At Cumberland FA we operate a system to collect football debts on behalf of our affiliated clubs and leagues.

Under FA Regulations, football debts are defined as those costs where actual monies have been expanded arising directly from football activity and such would include:
• Match Costs (e.g. match fees)
• League Costs (e.g. repair to cups etc.)
• Fines from discipline cases (cautions, dismissals, misconduct charges)
• Playing expenses (e.g. pitch hire)

The following are not considered to be football debts:
• Kit/Equipment
• Club subscriptions
• Signing on fees
• Internal Club fines (except for those imposed as a result of discipline cases)
• Fund Raising schemes
• End of season trip costs

There are strict timelines and criteria under which football debts can be chased and we are unable to deal with any debts that do not conform with FA regulations.

We therefore recommend that all clubs and leagues familiarise themselves with the procedures, the key points of which are highlighted below:

REASONABLE STEPS
It is essential for the creditor (i.e. the club/league) to take reasonable steps to recover the debt before requesting us to take action. Reasonable steps should include:
• Writing to the player/club to inform them of the monies owed providing a deadline for payment and keeping all records of such requests.
• Not playing the player as soon as it becomes obvious that there is an issue with recovering monies.

TIMESCALE
We should be approached as soon as it is clear that there is a problem. In all cases this should be within 28 days of formal payment being requested and 112 days of the debt being incurred.

REQUESTING DEBT RECOVERY
When requesting our help to assist with recovering a football debt from a player, the creditor must supply the following information:
• Full Name, Date of Birth and last known address of the individual responsible for the debt
• Evidence of the debt (e.g. discipline case references)
• Evidence of the efforts and communications made by the Club to recover the debt before requesting our assistance with debt recovery.
• Details of any other clubs the individual is registered with (if known)
• Payment of the £25.00 deposit, which will be returned when debt has been recovered.

If you wish to make an application to the debt recovery scheme please complete the Debt Recovery Scheme Application Form which can be downloaded in the section below.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Suspension notice sent to participant, including a CFA administration fee.
• Where there is more than 1 debtor on an action, the administration fee from the CFA has increased to £2 on each individual. Where there is only 1 debtor, the fee of £10 remains.

Payment sent to the County FA or appeal requested within 21 days from date suspension notice was issued. If no payment is received or appeal requested, then on the 22nd day following suspension notice being issued, the participant is suspended from All Football activities until the debt is cleared.

 

 

Want to find out more?

Here's some answers to your faqs:

A deposit of £25.00 is required for the County FA to chase debt on behalf of a Club. This fee is returned when debt has been recovered.

No. You can contact the local County Court and complete a small claims application request.

You should contact us as soon as possible having taken all reasonable steps to recover the debt yourself. However, this must be between 28 days of formal payment being requested and 112 days of the debt being incurred.

 Get in Touch 

Football Services
 
By Phone: 01900 511800
(9am - 5pm Monday - Friday)