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Football Foundation - Goalpost safety

From the start of the season 2007/08 Referees have the right to cancel games that are played on pitches with ‘unsafe goalposts.’ This term unsafe is determined by a number of different categories as below –

 

- Goals made before 1996 therefore not having the appropriate British Standard
- Home made goals
- Goals with metal cup hooks on the back to attach  

  netting to.
- Goals that are damaged or unsafe for use
- Goals in a state of disrepair
- Goals with square posts

This will apply to mini soccer goals, midi goals and also full size goals.

The Football Foundation is running an initiative called the Goalpost Safety Scheme, where the Foundation will fund 50% of any new goals purchased to replace goals falling into any of the categories above.

Goalpost Safety Scheme
The intention of this initiative is not simply to provide goals on a new for old basis, but to replace goals which fail to meet the British Standards safety requirements.

Goals eligible for replacement:
* Pre-1996 i.e. before British Standards
* Metal cup hooks on posts and crossbars
* Wooden
* Freestanding
* Mini-Soccer goals which are now incomplete
* Corroded or rusted

Free standing training goals are not eligible.

Grant ceiling
An individual grant cannot exceed 50% of the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of £1,500. An applicant (such as a local authority) may apply for up to a maximum of 10 grants (the grants may apply to one site or several).

Eligibility criteria

Who can apply?


Applications are welcome from FA affiliated clubs, local authorities, schools (that demonstrate commitment to football and FA Charter Standard), local community groups and clubs in the National League System Step 7 and below. Clubs in Steps 3 - 6 of the National League System can apply for replacement goals for their U18 youth teams.

Who cannot apply?

Professional clubs including their Academies and Centres of Excellence; clubs that do not have an open membership policy, clubs in the National League System Steps 1 and 2 and commercial operators are all ineligible to apply.

The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for goals which are ordered or purchased before an offer of grant aid has been made.

As of July 07 applicants are now able to apply for,

  • New goals as well as replacement goals
  • Up to £3,000 grant aid
  • An extended range of goals

Applicants must have security of tenure via freehold or lease. 

Further guidance on the application process can be found at www.footballfoundation.org.uk. If you require any further information please contact Adam Lowthorpe on 01482 221158 or email adam.lowthorpe@eastridingfa.com.