Forest Fans Football Tournament – Saturday 1st June
This Saturday (1st June) 20 teams of Forest fans will be competing for the second year to claim the Sam Widdowson Trophy, named in honour of the pioneering Forest hero. If you are playing or fancy coming along to watch then here is everything you need to know:
Location: Forest Recreation Ground (NG7 6LB)
All members of teams that provided us with their email addresses were sent individual details around the 13th of this month regarding what pitch to gather on etc. Please cast your eyes over the details on that email again prior to the event, and pass on to your team mates as will help us a huge amount prior to kick off.
10:30-10:45am – Arrival time. Please report to the Forest Zone building at the far end of the site (opposite end from tram lines).
11:15am – All teams should be ready to start at this time but this could move forward if the pitch is available earlier. Not all teams will be playing immediately.
Fixture lists will be printed and placed in relevant spots to help things run smoothly.
Tournament Format
The 20 teams have been drawn into 4 groups of 5 as shown. Each team will play the other teams within their group once in games that will last 15 mins. We have 4 pitches available to us and each group will be assigned a pitch for this initial stage.
GROUP A = (Front right pitch) – Brian Rice FC, Kings of Dion, Ilson Reds, The Red Sparrows & Sunday FC
GROUP B = (Front left pitch) – Put one Behind the Demba Ba, Win or Lose We Booze FC, The Toebongers, Forever Forest & London Trickies
GROUP C = (Back left pitch) – Nottingyourmums Forest, The Inbetweeners, Rhinos Reds, Heads and Lolleys & Monday Night Fat Dads
GROUP D = (Back right pitch) – Independiente Old Boys, Biggles and Chums, Shut the Daw Son, The Fat Dancers & Dore on Tour
The top two from each group will progress and will play the opposite position from their linked group ie Group A Winner v. Group B Runner-up. In the same way as the World Cup operates. Games in the knockout stage will be 20 mins.
Only teams that finish in the top two positions of the group will progress and have the opportunity to compete for the trophy
We operated a format to accommodate a “B Final” last year, but as many teams dispersed following the group stage leaving others with no formal fixture we have decided to stick with a more traditional format. Those who do not progress are welcome to organise friendlies against other teams on spare pitches if they wish and where possible we will help arrange.
Everyone will be guaranteed a minimum of 4 games with the finalists of the A & B tournament needing to play in 7 games – that’s two hours of football so your squads will be utilised.
We expect the tournament to run through until around 4:00pm.
Rules & Requirements
Standard football rules will apply rather than 5-a-side rules. 3 point for a win in the group stage and 1 point for a draw. Goal difference will be used where teams are on level points with goals scored used in the event the GD is identical. The head to head results will act as a secondary factor. Where teams are still tied then a sudden death penalty shoot-out will be be used to decide who progresses.
There is no head height and all players are allowed anywhere on the pitch. Throw-ins and corners will apply as will fouls and yellow / red cards. A referee will take charge of each game – Two yellows (across any of the the tournament) or one straight red will result in a one game suspension. Where the infringement is deemed serious the referee is entitled to increase the suspension.
Unlimited rolling subs are permitted.
In the knockout stage, tied games will head straight into a sudden death penalty shoot out.
Punctuality is vital to avoid overrunning. Any teams not ready to take the field by the designated kick-off time will automatically forfeit the game by a 0-3 scoreline.
We’ll be playing on a 3G pitch and therefore moulds/studs are recommended.
There is a café on site which we expect will be open but players are advised to being ample food & drink to get them through the afternoon. The current weather forecast is somewhere in the mid 20’s. Without sounding like your mother please do come prepared with adequate water and skin protection.
Parking is readily available on site. The nearby tram car park will be an alternative if needed. While it won’t impact on us in any way there is a music festival taking place on the nearby Forest Rec on Saturday so it may be a little busier on the roads around the venue.
Full changing areas are provided for teams.
As explained in the emails competitors will have received, we will be trying to avoid kit clashes as best we can but it would be helpful if any teams that are able to provide a second shirt colour or bibs bring them along. The same applies for footballs for warming up / in between games.
Match balls will be provided.
Afterwards
A few of us will be meeting in town later in the evening to watch the Champions League Final. No venue has been confirmed yet but anyone (whether you have participated in the tournament or not) are welcome to join us.
