IS 306
APRIL 2009
LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND PLAYING FIELDS
ASSOCIATION
GOALS - SAFETY ISSUES
The Football Association is again working closely with the sports facility industry to improve the safety
of goalposts and to prevent accidents. Tragically during the past few years, 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 goalposts. The F.A. is working with manufacturers and the industry to set
new standards in goalpost safety but the ultimate responsibility for goalpost safety probably lies with
local football clubs and those people and organisations responsible for the local playing field or
recreation ground.
During the 2001/02 season the F.A. carried out a programme of on-site inspection and testing of goalpost
units at a number of sites around the country. Of all the goals tested 41% of mini-soccer goals, 50% of
five-a-side goals and 22% of junior goals FAILED stability tests.
The Football Association includes a warning note within the Laws of the Games, which states:
“WARNING – IN VIEW OF A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IT IS NECESSARY TO
ENSURE THAT PORTABLE GOALS, WHETHER OF FULL OR REDUCED SIZE, ARE EITHER PINNED OR
WEIGHTED TO PREVENT THEM FROM TOPPLING FORWARD.”
However all goals should meet certain standards. There is a new European Standard BS EN 748 that covers football goals
(and a similar standard BS EN 749, which covers Hockey Goals). There have also been guidelines issued by the Health
and Safety Executive on the stability and use of goals. You are advised, when ordering goals, to specify that they meet
the requirements of BS EN 748
SECURING YOUR GOALPOSTS
The following information is taken from the Health & Safety Executive A Guide to Good Practice, produced by the HSE’s
Government & Entertainment Services National Interest Group, which relates to all freestanding goal frames.
1. General considerations:
The providers of goal frames should carry out an assessment that covers:
(a) The circumstances in which the frames are used and the arrangements for preventing overturning. This should take
into account not only the use for which the frames were designed but also any foreseeable misuse (e.g. people
swinging around the crossbars).
(b) The instructions and information given to those who use this equipment. Users should be made aware both of the
risks and also the precautions that must be taken.
2. Specific considerations:
(a) All goal frames of this type should be anchored, weighted, pinned, chained, pegged or otherwise made secure so as to
prevent overturning. The only exception may be where an assessment clearly shows that there is no risk of injury in
the event of the frames overturning. It is strongly advised that unsecured goal frames are not used until remedial
action has been taken.
(b) The storage and security of goal frames should be considered in order to prevent unauthorised usage.
(c) Goal frames collapsing or breaking have caused several accidents. All equipment should be checked regularly and
properly maintained. This applies not only to moveable or freestanding posts but also those that are permanently
fixed.
1
3. Full size goal posts on grass
The European CEN Committee for safety standards on playing field equipment recommends that all socketed type goal
posts should have sockets cemented into the ground.
The following are points to consider with any form of goal available for public use: Is it securely fixed to, or into, the ground in such a way that it couldn’t topple, even if misused?

for portable goals it is recommended that four 450 mm pins be used, two at the front and two at the back.

for conventional goals it is recommended that they should be fitted into sockets and the sockets should be
cemented into the ground. An illustration of the fixing arrangements specified in BS EN 748 is shown over.
All goals frames should be inspected regularly for damage and should be properly maintained. Remember
that metal corrodes with time (so check particularly where in contact with the ground and also at
joints/welds) and that wood can rot (check in similar places to metal frames - tapping with a rubber mallet
will give a hollow sound if the wood is rotting internally, and a key pushed against the wood should not
enter)

BS EN 748 states that:
the uprights and the cross bars shall have the same cross section

the crossbars shall not deform more than 10mm when loaded with 1,800N at the centre point (They should be
capable of allowing a couple of adults to swing from them without deformation)

exposed corners and edges shall be rounded with a radius of at least 3mm

the cross section of the side parts of a ground frame shall not protrude past the uprights and shall be rounded with
at least 30mm

when subject to a force of 1,100N applied horizontally to the centre of the cross bar for one minute, the goal shall
not slide or topple

net fixings should be the new “Safety” fixings available from most sports suppliers. Nails, cup hooks and similar
fixings, which may catch body parts, should be removed immediately as they present an unacceptable risk (see
list of suppliers on back page).

the net head line shall be connected to the net in such a way that there is no shifting

the net shall be suspended loosely so that a ball scoring a goal cannot rebound immediately

the net shall be held to the ground to prevent the ball passing through
The L&RPFA recommends that all Playing Field Managers: 



Institute a regular inspection procedure of all football goals and ground fixings (at least once a month).
Advise all users of the pitches to inspect goals before every match
Ensure that all goals meet the requirements of BS EN 748
Ensure all portable style goals are fixed to the ground with 4 x 450mm pins or similar.
4. Indoor 5-a-side posts
There are a number of devices on the market that secure the posts to wall or floor surfaces using a wall fixed anchor or
floor fixed anchor – contact suppliers listed on back page for full details and prices.
Problems to watch out for:
(a) Deterioration of the wall or floor surface, allowing a fixing plate to work loose. This can be overcome by concreting
the plate into a recess.
(b) Unauthorised detachment of the linking chain. If the posts are permanently in situ, this can be overcome by welding
the link shut. If not, a small padlock can be used as the last link to the plate.
5. Indoor 5-a-side posts when not in use
Goals can either be secured flat against the wall, with a small chain and padlock around the crossbar, or must be removed
to safe storage. All wall fixings either need to be recessed or lie flush to the wall.
2
6. 5-a-side goals and mini goals on grass
These goals can be secured to the ground using anchors. It is important to ensure that the hooks are as flush to the ground
as possible, to prevent a tripping hazard.
7. Goal posts on all-weather surfaces
Where possible, the frames can be secured to the surrounding fencing using chains and padlocks. Care must be taken,
however, to ensure that customers cannot walk into, or trip over the securing chains.
There are a couple of devices on the market designed to weigh down freestanding goal posts. The first is a tube of sand
that runs along the base of the netting and is secured to each upright. The second is a weighted block, secured by a chain
and bracket to the goal structure (for further details consult list of suppliers on back page).
If the weights are not permanently welded to the posts, it is essential to remove the posts to safe storage when not in use,
or alternatively ensure that the area is secured against unauthorised access.
8. Net hooks
The European CEN Committee has also received reports of injuries caused by clothing and/or jewellery, especially rings,
being caught in steel net hooks. There has been one reported case where a player had his finger torn off, when a ring he
was wearing became caught on a hook. This potential hazard can be removed by the use of synthetic net fixings. These
are readily available and easy to fit (see list of suppliers on back page).
9. Staff training and operational procedures
It is essential that all staff are trained to recognise the potential dangers caused by goal posts. This should be included in
induction training and reinforced periodically. Training should be included in included for instructors, coaches,
groundsmen and staff leading activity sessions, as well as the recreation attendants.
Daily checking and maintenance procedures for the goal posts should be set out in the Normal Operating Procedure
(NOP). The level of supervision required will depend on whether the fixings are permanently welded in place or are
removable. The aim of any procedure must be to ensure that all reasonably precautions are taken to prevent goal posts
falling over. Those posts with removable fixings need to be checked at the beginning and end of every booking, to ensure
that they have not been tampered with or vandalised.
Items to check for:
 That the wall or floor plates are securely fixed in place
 That chains and padlocks have not been removed or tampered with
 That anchors have not been removed and do not present a tripping hazard
 That fencing has not been vandalised or cut
 That weights have not been removed or tampered with
 That the device being used to secure the post is sufficient to stop the post from falling forward when pulled
 That the goal structure itself has not been broken or weakened by vandalism, wear and tear or rust.
A trained recreation attendant can undertake these checks at specified intervals throughout the day and results recorded.
Managerial staff should ensure that these checks are taking place as specified in the Normal Operating Procedures.
10. Safety through partnership
Liaison with the users of football pitches is highly recommended, especially club officials and referees.
The Football Association includes a warning note within the Laws of the Games, which states:
WARNING – IN VIEW OF A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IT IS NECESSARY TO
ENSURE THAT PORTABLE GOALS, WHETHER OF FULL OR REDUCED SIZE, ARE EITHER PINNED OR
WEIGHTED TO PREVENT THEM FROM TOPPLING FORWARD.”
Hopefully, through partnership and communication between the staff, referees, teams and most
importantly by parents, the standards of goalpost safety can be improved and maintained.
Town and Parish Councils responsible for a playing field or recreation ground and Playing
Field Management Committees also have a duty of care to people using the playing field.
3
SUPPLIERS
The following companies supply a wide range of goalposts and accessories. There are many other suppliers and you are
advised to consider two or three quotations from different companies when purchasing new equipment.
Stadia Sports
19/20 Lancaster Way Business Park
Ely
Cambridgeshire CB6 3NW
Tel: 01353 668686 Fax: 01353 669444
Proctor Nets Ltd (goalposts & accessories as well)
Columbia House
Columbia Avenue
Worcester Park
Surrey KT4 7SP
Tel: 0181 337 2554 Fax: 0181 337 2558
Harrod UK
Pinbush Road
South Lowestoft industrial Estate
Lowestoft
Suffolk NR33 7NL
Tel 01502 583515 fax 01502 582456
The Goal Post Company Ltd
Danesbury House
32 Deanway
Chalfont St Giles
Bucks
Tel: 01494 875961
Evans of Longton Ltd
Mercury House
Sutherland Road
Longton
Stoke on Trent ST13 1JD
Tel: 01782 317371 Fax: 01782 599281
Sporty-Co
10 Melbray Drive
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire LE13 1JT
Tel: 01664 481700 Fax: 0164 481701
Maudesports
Units 23-24 Empire Close
Aldridge
Walsall
West Midlands W59 8UQ
Tel: 01922 459571 Fax: 01922 743351
The OPFA acknowledge the help provided by Mark Rutherford of Aylesbury Vale District Council and Geoff Cooper of
the Windrush Leisure Centre, in the preparation of this Technical Information Sheet
The Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association is pleased to acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by the HSE
and RoSPA in the origination of material for this Information Sheet. Whilst every care has been taken in the
production of the Information Sheet, the Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association cannot be held responsible for any
inaccuracies that might occur or be held liable for any advice given.
Produced for Leicestershire & Rutland Playing Fields Association by Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association,
Jericho Farm, Worton, Witney, Oxon OX29 4SZ
RD/IS306 goals – safety issues April 2009
4