All clubs have today been issued with new advice from the UK Borders Agency regarding overseas players with Sport Visas.

It makes it clear that these are issued to players who are amateurs in their own country who are joining primarily amateur clubs and states that they cannot play in professional leagues.

The JCT600 Bradford League is designated as a professional league so any player entering the UK on a Sports Visa cannot play in our league.

Clubs who require advice on this issue should contact the newly-elected Clubs Representative Brian Pearson, call 07867780678 or by emailing brianpearson69@btinternet.com

To read the advice follow this link http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/guidance/ecg/vat/vat17/

Please note that the Registration Panel require all clubs registering an overseas player for 2012 to do the following.
For existing overseas players registered in 2011 with the same club
1 If he is the overseas player you registered last season please email Bob Shackleton ceo@bradforcl.com to confirm the fact
2 Confirm in the email the type of visa the player will be coming on
3 Within seven days of the player playing his first game a club MUST submit a copy of the player's visa to Bob Shackleton for inspection. Please note that the Registration Panel has the right to suspend the players registration until such time as this request is complied with if the visa is not submitted within the seven days.

For new overseas players registering with your club for 2012
1 If you had a different overseas player in 2011 please email Bob Shackleton  ceo@bradforcl.com to inform him that the player needs to be removed from your club's register
2 Confirm in the email the new overseas player's name, the country he is coming from and the type of visa he is  entering the country on
3 Make sure you get a signed player registration form and picture so that you can register him on playerreg.co.uk
4 Within seven days of the player playing his first game a club MUST submit a copy of the player's visa to Bob Shackleton for inspection. Please note that the Registration Panel has the right to suspend the players registration until such time as this request is complied with if the visa is not submitted within the seven days.