Can You Play Football?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 24/06/2003

SO you think you can play football? The Fishy is looking for a team for the following competition. You must have a Town shirt and black shorts! If we can get a team together, the Fishy will pay the entrance fee. Manager needed too! Mr Buckley need not apply!!

The Supporters Clubs National 5-a-side football Challenge will take place on Sunday 3rd of August at the VIDA Blackpool site and will cost £30. 00 per team. The event will KO at 11. am with registration taking place from 10am.

The special patented VIDA playing surface makes the game fast, resilient and more exciting. The shock pad underlining makes playing more comfortable. Individual kickboards on all pitches with the new rounded corner system helps keep the game flowing. After the event, the VIDA sports bar will be showing games of football from all divisions.

The format of the day is as follows:

Teams will be placed into groups where they will play a league style format.

The winners and runner up of each group will progress to the knock out stages.

Knock out stages will commence all the way through to the grand final.

Presentation to the winners and runners up teams in the bar.

Winner will receive a team trophy and individual medals, including the accolade of the National Supporters Club Winners. The winners will also receive a case of beer for each member of the team and a set of football shirts.

Runners up will receive a team trophy and individual medals. In addition to the medals each team member will receive a Mitre Calcio 5-a-side football.

We will also be holding a football quiz through out the day where the winners will get a case of 24 bottles of Carlsberg Lager.

We would like each team that enters to represent their club by wearing the club colours. And of course we welcome any supporters who would like to come for the day.

I hope you take up the challenge at VIDA and look forward to receiving your completed tournament application over the next few weeks. On receipt of your application form I will send out confirmation details and directions for getting to the Centre.

Playing Rules

START OF PLAY

The game will be started by one team taking a centre. A goal can be scored immediately from kick off. The referee will designate the team to kick off. After a goal has been scored play must re-start from the centre spot.

BALL OUT OF PLAY

An indirect free kick is awarded if the ball is played or controlled above head height (at the discretion of the referee). Exceptions are when the ball is deflected or cleared from the goalkeeper or the goal structure. The ball is to be returned to the goalkeeper for an underarm throw.

GOALKEEPERS AND GOAL AREAS

Only the goalkeeper is allowed in the area. If a defender enters the area then a penalty will be awarded. If an attacker enters the area then the ball is returned to the goalkeeper. When in possession the goalkeeper must roll out the ball underarm and below knee height. Infringement will result in an indirect free kick 2m from the area. The goalkeeper must not directly receive the ball back from the same defender it has been rolled to. Infringement will result in a free kick from where the defender played the ball. Any change of goalkeeper must be authorised by the referee.

SUBSTITUTIONS

A substitution is allowed at a stoppage in play only when the referee has been notified. The player must leave the field before the substitute comes on. The gates to the pitches must remain closed at all times. Illegal substitutions will be penalised by an indirect free kick from where play is stopped.

MISCONDUCT AND FOUL PLAY

A direct free kick is conceded for intentional body contact - pushing, kicking, tripping, slide tackling and handball. Defenders must retreat 2 metres. Free kicks awarded on the edge of the penalty area must be taken 2 metres from the area line.

An indirect free kick is awarded for obstruction, time wasting, not retreating 2 metres at a free kick, dissent and bad language

. If the referee considers that stopping the game to award a free kick will disadvantage the side being offered the free kick then he may allow the play to continue.

Penalties are to be taken from the penalty spot. Only one step is allowed before striking the ball.

VIDA Sports Ltd. does not tolerate any violence or intimidation of referees in its competitions. Any team found guilty of this behaviour will be banned from the competition and the centre.

BOOKINGS AND SENDINGS OFF

The referee has 2 sending off options available. A sin bin for 3 MINS on the production of a yellow card (no substitution allowed) and a full dismissal will be made on the production of a red card. When a player accumulates 5 yellow cards they will receive a 1 game ban. When the player is given a red card he/she will then will receive a 2 Game ban.

If any team is reduced by more than 2 players due to misconduct then the game will be awarded to the opposing team 8-0. In the event that both teams are reduced by more than 2 players then the score will stand.

MISCELLANEOUS

Unless referred to above, the normal rules of Association Football apply. The wearing of shin pads is compulsory in all FA Affiliated leagues and competitions. The wearing of jewellery is not allowed on the pitches. The referee's decision is final.

The Centre Managers' decision on any of the above is final.

Responses to the MB please.

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