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 2007
We have processed over 1,700 applications (some applications would be for one set of goalposts others for four sets so we have no way of telling how many sets of goalposts we have provided).
The Football Foundation have invested over £1m into safe goalposts.
The four golden rules of The FA's campaign are - Check It, Secure It, Test It, Respect It - Keeping safety onside is a team effort and everyone must play their part.