Courtesy: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk


Pioneering whole new ball game

By Neil Macdonald, Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE has long been at the forefront of British football and now it is leading the way again into a new version of the beautiful game.

Wirral and Liverpool are hosting two of the regional qualifying leagues for the FA National Futsal Finals.

Futsal is the official FIFA version of five-a-side, played by millions of people around the world.

Stars such as Pele and Ronaldo learned their skills playing the fast, skilful game, on a pitch measuring 40m by 20m with no sides where the ball - which is smaller than usual and has less bounce to improve close control - can go over head height.

The Wirral league is already underway, which is not surprising given that Tranmere Victoria are the leading team in Britain, having enjoyed considerable international success, played in the equivalent of the Champions League and supplied several players to the fledgling England team.

Organised by Bryan Jackson, eight teams have met every Tuesday since March 30 at Byrne Avenue recreation centre for three 30-minute games. Although Tranmere have the pedigree and remain undefeated, the table is headed by Tavern, made up of players from the FC Vaults 11-aside team who have won three games and drawn one.

Bryan said: "There are four teams new to futsal in the league and the first few games for them were fairly scrappy, but they have adapted quickly and all the sides play attractive futsal now.

"The first night was chaotic as we had to construct the goals for the first time and alter the pitch markings. All the players helped by working out how the goals fitted together and running around with
black tape to mark out the pitch."

The Liverpool League is due to be played on every Monday from May 3 until May 29 at Greenbank Sports Academy from 7pm, with any teams who are interested in joining asked to telephone Futsal England on 01242 820 162 or e-mail leagues@futsalengland.co.uk for an application pack.

Neil Thompson from Futsal England said: "We are currently actively seeking teams to take part in the Liverpool league as a way for teams in Liverpool to start getting involved in the sport.

"This is an excellent opportunity for teams to learn about futsal and will hopefully form the basis of a longer term league that will be set up through with Liverpool FA in the summer and autumn.

"Perhaps the most exciting thing for players looking to play futsal is that there is an England Futsal team which gains you a full England cap if you play - making schoolboy dreams come true."

Once the competitions are over, the winners of the Liverpool and Wirral leagues will then play off for the chance to go through to the National Championships which are taking place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, from June 18-20.

The first ever national winners will then follow in Tranmere Victoria's pioneering footsteps by playing in the UEFA Futsal Cup next season.

Apart from Liverpool and Wirral, qualifying events will be held in Bristol, Derby, Stockport, Cheltenham, Sheffield, Pendle, Hull, Cumbria, Manchester, Oldham, Birmingham, London, Warwick, Oxford, Southampton, Suffolk and Grimsby.

Dermot Collins from the FA said: "Futsal is a game that is very skilful. The players who excel are those who have a good technique, are quick, well balanced and have good football awareness.

"While it is exciting to have an England team playing in the UEFA championships, there is a need to promote tha game on a wider basis, hence the regional leagues."

Bryan Jackson hopes that whoever wins out between the two top Liverpool and Wirral teams will give a good account of themselves in the finals.

He added: "Futsal is a great game with the emphasis on skill and playing with the right spirit. Hopefully the teams taking part this year will not only continue next season, but also encourage their friends to set up new futsal teams."