In late March Sport England decided to pull £1.6m from grassroots football, citing lower participation. Back in 2006, more than two million people were regularly playing football – but now the figure stands at only 1.84 million.
Playing Football is now less popular than cycling, athletics and swimming – so where is grassroots enthusiasm going? The FA reckons the facilities are the problem – battered by recent severe weather, many pitches are poorly maintained by local authorities who are also charging too much for pitch hire. But is this the full picture?
We’d like to know what the real reasons behind Sunday League decline are. So we’re starting a poll asking what the worst thing about playing is. Is poor standard of play worse than poor pitches? Are players simply sick of poor referees and subs acting as linesmen? Is it just too expensive, or are you just too lazy – typically hungover after a heavy Saturday night and wishing you could just have a lie in?
Have your say on the state of Sunday League Football by voting below and registering your chance to win a new England shirt.
When you’re done, why not share your Sunday League experiences in the comments below. Remember – this survey is just a little bit of fun – for all the little grumbles that we all have, we know that grassroots Football is an important part of the national game. We’re also pretty sure that every bloke who swapped his footie shirt for a skin-tight pair of cycling shorts after the 2012 Tour De France will suddenly want to jump back into the beautiful game the second that the World Cup kicks off. The fickle sods.
Part of a Sunday League Team and worried about the cost of playing? Remember that we stock a wide range of cheap shirts, shorts, socks and other kit that will help your amateur team look a little more professional. Check out our teamwear range and start saving today.
The competition is now open and closes on 25/04/2014 at 10am
UK Soccer Shop Sunday League Competition Terms and Conditions
Eligibility
The ‘Sunday League Football Poll” competition (the “Competition”) is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over. Proof of identity and age may be required. Oban Multilingual LTD (the “Promoter” is the promoter of this competition. The host of the competition is UK Soccer Shop and is known as the “Competition host” for the purposes of these terms and conditions. The Competition is not open to employees or agencies of the Promoter, their group companies or family members or anyone else connected directly to the Competition host or to the Promoter. Using a false name or address will result in disqualification.
Entry
Entry to the competition is obtained in the following way: Via the competition host website by answering the poll questions and completing the on-page entry form. A person may not enter the competition more than once. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed. You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Competition entry to us. No responsibility is taken for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. No purchase necessary. Entries made online using methods generated by a script or macro or the use of automated devices will not be counted.
The Prize
The Prize of the competition is: The prize includes one new England football shirt All prizes are subject to availability and confirmation. One winner will receive the prize. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes. The Promoter retains the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event the original prize offered is not available. The prize will be sent out within 30 days of the closure of the Competition; however The Promoter cannot guarantee delivery times.
Timing
The Competition opens at 10am 10/04/2014 The Competition closes at 10 am 25/04/2014
The winner
The winner will be chosen via random selection The winner will be selected no later than 30/04/2014 The winner will be notified by email or tweet and given details of how to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond to the Promoter within 7 days of being notified by the Promoter, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and the Promoter shall be entitled to select another winner (and that winner will have to respond to the Promoter within 7 days or else they will also forfeit their prize). If a winner rejects their prize, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and the Promoter shall be entitled to select another winner. The winner may be required for promotional activity and by entering the competition accepts that their name may be published or provided if requested as per the terms and conditions contained within.
Data protection & privacy
Any personal data relating to entrants will not be disclosed to a third party without the individual’s consent (other than the winning entry). Data relating to entrants will be retained by the Promoter and Competition host for a reasonable period after the Competition closes to assist in operating competitions in a consistent manner and to deal with any queries on the Competition. Information provided to enter the competition may be used, shared or published or used for publicity in a digital format. By providing the Competition host with your personal data you consent to the Competition host sending you marketing emails. If an Entrant does not wish for their personal information to be used for marketing purposes, a request to remove consent for personal information to be used for marketing purposes should be submitted in writing to the Competition host.
Liability
Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the liability of the Promoter or the Competition host for death, personal injury, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation as a result of its negligence. The Promoter and Competition host accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Competition or accepting the prize. The Promoter further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to your or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Competition. The Promoter reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of the Promoter in all matters under its control is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure. The entrant completely releases Facebook from any involvement in this competition. The Competition will be governed by English law. Promoter: Oban Multilingual, 2nd Floor West, Lees House, 21-33 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3FE, UK
