SESSION GUIDANCE & FAQ's
Established in spring 2017 by seven friends and football enthusiasts - FFF Recreational Football is a recreational football club for adult men and women. We now have 25 sessions running across 12 locations in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Buckinghamshire.
FFF welcomes players of all abilities and fitness levels. The ethos of the sessions is that they are competitive, fun and inclusive. We encourage those with less experience and challenge those with more than their fair share with equal positivity and support. It's all about enjoying playing the world's greatest game.
1. THE BASICS
1. THE BASICS
1. THE BASICS
- Age - Entry age for all of our open FFF sessions is 30+, the only exception being FFF20s which is for anyone over the age of 18. the only exception is the FFF Women's session which is for all ages).
- Access - FFF sessions are only open to paying, subscribed members. We do not accept walk-ups or +1 friends on the night.
- Gender - Our sessions are open to people of any gender. Our open sessions are predominantly played by men but they are open to anyone and others are genuinely welcomed. Our women's sessions however, are exclusively for women.
- How many sessions can I play in? - You can only play in the session you've signed-up to. There is no swapping between sessions unless explicitly invited by FFF or offered a replacement session due to a weather cancellation.
- Risk of injury - All players play at their own risk and by subscribing you agree that you are playing at your own risk.
- WhatsApp - Every session has its own WhatsApp group and FFF as a whole has a community on WhatsApp for session-wide messages from FFF.
- Attendance - We use a free app called Heja to track session attendance. When you join we will add you to the WhatsApp group and the Heja code for you session is displayed in the group description. Once set up you can access the session schedule and indicate whether you are going or not going each week.
- How many sessions per year? - Our pricing is based on 48 sessions a year. We play every week except two weeks at Christmas and sessions don't run on Bank Holidays. Some sessions get lucky and only miss one session at Christmas depending when Christmas falls.
2. PAYMENT
1. THE BASICS
1. THE BASICS
- Do you do 'Pay-to- play?' - No we don't. You subscribe quarterly like a gym membership.
- Can I try a session? - Your first session is free as a taster. After this we need a minimum payment of one quarter in advance to continue within the group.
- How is payment taken? - Our admins will set up your subscription in Stripe and your first invoice will be received after your taster session. Using a secure link you can add your card details by logging in with the email address you gave to our admins. Your subscription will automatically charge you every quarter unless you notify us you are leaving.
- Do you offer refunds if I get injured? - No, except in exceptional circumstances. Players play at their own risk and this isn't pay-to-play, so if you get a knock and need to sit out a couple of weeks we don't offer a pro-rata refund. If you suffer a long term injury get in touch and we will help you out.
- Hardship fund - We do have a small hardship fund available to us that we can use if you are struggling with payments. Please get in touch in confidence if you wish to discuss.
3. SESSION FORMAT
4. PITCHES & FOOTWEAR
4. PITCHES & FOOTWEAR
- Format - Our Session Reps arrange teams on a random basis each week depending on numbers. Typically we play 5, 6 and 7-a-side but we could play anything right through to 11-a-side. The teams will be picked somewhat randomly but with the intention of picking sides of equal ability to create close, competitive games.
- Matches - FFF matches are like football when you were a kid. No offsides, no referees, no subs, and everyone takes turns in goal. There are only two golden rules...
- Golden rule 1 - If you smash the ball over the fence, go and get it immediately. We don't like losing balls. The more balls we lose the more it costs to play.
- Golden rule 2 - Don't be an over-competitive moron. We all need to be able to go to work in the morning and let's face it none of us are going to be lifting the Champions League trophy any time soon, so curb your desire to win at all costs and make sure everyone - on both sides - enjoys playing.
- General rules - Follow the rules of football, take proper throw ins and goal kicks, the keeper can't pick up the ball from a pass back. A big difference in small sided football is that there are no offsides. If a sessions runs 'one big game' then offsides should be used, but bear in mind there's no referee or assistants so be sensible.
4. PITCHES & FOOTWEAR
4. PITCHES & FOOTWEAR
4. PITCHES & FOOTWEAR
- 3G pitches - The Priory School, The County Ground, Redborne Upper, Stratton Upper, Herts Sports Village, St Albans Girls' School, The New Croft, and Grange Paddocks - All require firm ground (FG) football boots with plastic studs. Trainers, metal studs and blades are not allowed.
- 2G pitches - The Nobel School, Sharnbrook Academy, Hitchin Boys' School, and Woughton Green - All require astro trainers, no studs of any kind are allowed, and they simply won't give you the grip you need.
5. PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
5. PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
5. PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
- FFF essentials - Please be aware of our 5 founding principles; inclusivity, well-being, enjoyment, community spirit, health and safety.
- Competition - FFF games are competitive, fun and of a good standard. We don’t tolerate any members being overly competitive, physically or verbally, aggressive or discriminatory in their interactions with other members.
- Inclusivity - Be inclusive, we are a diverse club with players from a wide range of backgrounds. This is what makes us tick. We welcome everyone and everyone gets a game. If someone isn't as experienced as you, give them a bit of time to feel involved and if one team is battering the other, switch things up to make it more even and fun for all.
- Do your bit! - Take your turn in goal, work hard and get involved. Standing next to the opposition goalkeeper for an entire session will be frustrating for your team. It's a team game, put a shift in!
- Feedback - Listen to guidance and respect our Session Reps, they do a brilliant job at keeping the sessions running smoothly. If you have feedback to give please use the feedback section on this website.
6. WHATSAPP
5. PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
5. PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
- Every session we run has its own WhatsApp group, when you join a session - even while you have your free trial session - you will be added to that group.
- The group description bar at the top of your WhatsApp page holds all the info you need to get started.
- You will also see who are the FFF Reps for that session, so that you have a reference to ask any questions.
- The WhatsApp groups are for friendly banter, asking for recommendations about local trades, and generally about building a community - any abuse or prejudicial behaviour will be dealt with swiftly and may result in players being removed from the club.
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Just find me a session!
If you can't be bothered to read all this stuff and you just want to play recreational football as soon as possible then drop us a message using the button below and we'll find you a free taster session.