The Football League has introduced new rules relating to clubs relocating grounds, ticket prices and ground sharing at its AGM in Chester.

The rule relating to clubs moving ground has been strengthened to include a list of criteria that the League's Board must be satisfied with before it would grant consent.

The new rule states that the Board must be satisfied that the granting of permission:

a)       would be consistent with the objects of The League as set out in the Memorandum of Association;

b)       would be appropriate having in mind the relationship (if any) between the locality with which by its name or otherwise the applicant Club is traditionally associated and that in which such Club proposes to establish its ground;

c)       would not adversely affect such Club's Officials, players, supporters, shareholders, sponsors and others having an interest in its activities;

d)       would not have an adverse effect on visiting Clubs;

e)       would not adversely affect Clubs having their registered grounds in the immediate vicinity of the proposed location; and

f)         would enhance the reputation of The League and promote the game of association football generally.

In a move aimed at ensuring visiting supporters do not pay more than home supporters for equivalent accommodation, The League has also strengthened its ticketing regulations.

Clubs will now have to submit a pricing plan to The League showing ticket prices for all areas of their ground. The League will ensure this plan does not allow the club to charge visiting supporters higher prices for accommodation in comparable zones to the home supporters. If visiting supporters have use of the only standing area in the ground they should be charged 10% less than the cheapest covered seat, but visiting supporters may be charged more if they occupy accommodation that is of a higher standard than home supporters, provided the added charge is no more than 10%.

The pricing plan will be circulated to all clubs in the relevant division and no changes will be allowed to the plan unless the consent of the visiting club is given.

Regulations relating to ground sharing agreements have also been updated to ensure that the football club's fixtures will always take priority over any other use associated with the other party in the agreement.

The new rules will come into force for the 2005/06 season.