Football should be fun, safe and enjoyable, whether you play in a park, at school or for a local club.
That's why The FA is working with manufacturers and the British Standards Institution to set new standards in goalpost safety.

The four golden rules of the leaflet and campaign are - Check It, Secure It, Test It, Respect It - and The FA needs YOUR help.

Keeping safety onside is a team effort and everyone must play their part.

Click here for the latest Goalpost Safety downloads;
Goals for football - Technical details
Goals for football - Guidance notes


Former-FA Chief Executive Adam Crozier and National Goalkeeping Coach Ray Clemence launched The FA's Goalpost Safety campaign to highlight the safety issues involved with using goalposts in grassroots football on Thursday 10th August 2000 at Watford FC.

Steve Parkin, Director of The FA National Game Division - leading the development of, and investment in English grassroots football - said:

"The launch of the campaign in August 2000 was vital to The FA's commitment to making safety a top priority in football at all levels. We wanted to stress to everyone involved in playing and organising football that they must play their part to ensure that such tragic accidents never happen again."

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 liase 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.

Through extending this campaign to the third year - with 250,000 leaflets going out to Clubs, Schools, youth groups, referees, coaches and leisure facilities across the country from the beginning of November 2002 - The FA is committed to raising this awareness and aims to create a safer environment for all football.

Brenda Smith, mother of Jonathan Smith who died in 1991 said recently:

"I have campaigned hard since the loss of my son, and the heartache it has given my family could so easily have been avoided. My constant concern is that the 'man down the street' will continue to make homemade goalposts and takes no notice of the safety guidelines.

"I would urge all parents to check goalposts before their child plays, to make sure that they are safe and secure, and to prevent any further needless accidents."

Under no circumstances should children use the goalposts as gymnastic equipment, and goalposts should not be used at all, unless they are in good condition, securely anchored to the ground, and are stable.

From the beginning of November, 250,000 leaflets will be distributed across the country. If you would like to receive copies of the leaflet for your organisation, please send an e-mail with your name, address and the quantity of leaflets you require, to: Emma.Clark@TheFA.com