Vets Gossip

01/04/2011 - Blackpool, UK.

In a sensational move set to shake competitive football to it's core, Fylde Coast Veterans FC are planning a controversial Rule Change Proposal at this year's Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Football Association AGM.

The Rule Change Proposal, backed by Highbury Vets and Bloomfield vets, will allow any teams in the BFSFA with a match-day squad average age of over 35 to use roll-on roll-off substitutions during all league and cup matches.

Currently, FIFA and FA laws only allow the use of 3 substitutes during each match, with those players substituted not being allowed to re-enter the game. Fylde Coast Veterans FC, with an average age in excess of 40, have felt seriously disadvantaged this season due to their elderly players not being fit enough to last the 90 minutes. "The ability to bring our players off for a brief rest before throwing them on again will level the playing field" said Vets supremo Mark Gannon.

42 year old legendary centre half Gordon Mason, for one, is hoping that the change goes through. "If I go up for one of our corners, rather than having to sprint back, I could have myself substituted then stroll back to our half at my leisure before bringing myself back on." The Vets Treasurer is in agreement - "This could save us a fortune in taxi fares for Gordy alone", she said.

Vets Director of Football Chris Giles is also looking forward to being able to bring himself onto the pitch to take every direct free kick and penalty, then making way for a younger and fitter team-mate to actually do some running around.

A source said to be close to The Lancashire County FA was also positive about the proposal today, saying "We're finding that the take-up of competitive sunday football by younger people is facing increasing competition from games consoles and their inability to hold their ale on a saturday night. The over-35's are definitely the future of football in the County and I am sure that the LFA will be looking kindly on this proposal."