goalpost safety scheme

The scheme was set up to replace the estimated 15,000 sets of unsafe goalposts that were being used within grassroots football. As tragically during the past decade, nine children including Jack Sheerin, a seven year old from West Yorkshire, and Jonathan Smith, an eleven year old from Essex have been killed by falling and unsafe goalposts. Football should be fun, safe and enjoyable, whether you play in a park, at school or for a local club. That's why the Foundation and The FA are working with manufacturers and the British Standards Institution to set new standards in goalpost safety.

During the 2001/02 season, The Football Association carried out a programme of on-site inspection and testing of goalpost sets at a number of sites across the country. Some of the findings are as follows:

• Of all goals tested, 41% of mini-soccer goals, 50% of 5-a-side goals and 22% of junior goals failed stability tests.

• Ground conditions can affect the stability of goals therefore it is important to liaise with manufacturers on the appropriate ground fixings in relation to weather conditions.

• Staff at every 2nd site were unaware of the safety campaign involving goalposts.

Update 2008

• We've processed over 2,200 goalpost safety scheme applications.

• Approximately 5,000 sets of unsafe goalposts have been replaced to date.

• £1,300,000 worth of goalposts grants have been offered and we are a third of the way through in replacing the 15,000 dangerous goalposts the FA have identified.