The Cup and Plate
So what is it? A chance to win some glory? Compete directly against other teams? Make some cash? Win a trophy to display proudly on the mantelpiece? All of the above and competitions designed to prolong and develop interest throughout the season.
How it works
At various times during the year you will play a Cup or Plate match. Entrance into the Cup or Plate will be determined by a preliminary knock-out stage (see below). When you play against another team, if your team, over the course of one set of weekend Premiership matches scores more FFL points than your opponents, you will have won (and will either proceed to next round or score 3 points)
The Preliminaries
This year we have 115 entrants, an odd number with the potential to make the competition a little cumbersome. 114 of the teams will play against each other with the ‘winners’ heading into the Cup and the ‘losers’ heading into the Plate. The Cup is therefore weighted slightly heavier in terms of cash prize.
That accounts for 114 of the teams, the final team, the reigning Cup holder (Ramitin III) will be given direct access to the Cup (this is only because we have an odd number, so apologies to 2003/04 Cup winner).
Therefore this will be a 57 v 57 knock out, with an allowance for a replay if required.
This draw will take place before the end of this month (August) and in the presence of another FFL manager.
The Groups
The teams will then be arranged into discrete groups ala Champions League or world Cup qualifying.
The Cup
There will be 58 teams and therefore 12 groups of 4, and 2 groups of 5. The winners of groups of 4 will progress as will the top 2 in the groups of 5. This will give us 16 teams.
The Plate
There will be 57 teams and therefore 13 groups of 4, and 1 groups of 5. The winners of groups of 4 will progress as will the top 2 in the group of 5. This will give us 15 teams, throw in the best 2nd placed team in the groups of 4 (determined by points, then points difference, then points scored - and in the unlikely event of all of this being equal, a play-off)
Within the groups themselves, teams will be ordered by points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw), then by head to head record (a change from last year - and one suggested by a manager), then points difference, then points scored.
The Knock-out
With 16 teams in each competition, it now becomes straightforward (phew!) and teams will be drawn (in presence of an FFL manager and hopefully one that has been knocked out) all the way through to the final. Makes it easier. If replays are required, one shall be played. If there is still deadlock , we shall count goals scored by each team, followed by assists, followed by man of the match awards, followed by clean sheets, followed by least goals conceded.
The Matchdays
Preliminary Round: 17-19 September 2005
Group Stages
Matchday 1 (all groups) 15-17 October 2005
Matchday 2 (only 5 team groups) 5-7 November 2005
Matchday 3 (all groups) 26-27 November 2005
Matchday 4 (only 5 team groups) 17-18 December 2005
Matchday 5 (all groups) 21-23 January 2006
Last 16 11-13 February 2006
Quarter finals 11-13 March 2006
Semi finals 1-3 April 2006
Final 29 April - 1 May 2006
Replays will be scheduled for next available week if required. date of matchdays subject to change due to fixture postponement/cancellation, although this will be notified in advance.
All fixtures, results, matchdays and tables shall be on the website.
If less than 8 premiership matches go ahead (due to postponements - this is very rare), the Cup fixtures will be postponed until the next available week.
The Winners
Will receive a trophy (eventually) and a cash prize, estimated at £100 for Cup and £75 for Plate - although this may increase depending on other earnings….
The Updates
Cup results will be updated a day after the league results for the week, so should normally be available on thursday night/friday morning
Any (relevant) thoughts/questions, let us know!
