Which Are The Best Garden Football Goals?

ITSA Goal Posts, FootieGoals, Samba, Forza ?
The image below is the ITSAGOAL Post 12’x6′ uPVC Goal that includes a one section crossbar
and a three years guarantee which no other upvc goalpost manufacturer provides.

 

This Goalpost Guide includes the following content

 

• Introduction
• About us – information about the company writing this specialist goalpost product information
• Goal Post size in relation to suitable age of player.
• Recommended goalpost size progression for children
• Product images of recommended goals
• Which goal post to buy and why
• Goalpost safety and safety considerations when buying goalposts – important for children playing with goals – ideally lightweight
• Real Goalpost product reviews
• What are the differences in UPVC, steel and aluminium goals

Introduction

This trusted best garden football goalpost reviews site will provide you with the right information you need backed up by real customer reviews and evidence so you can be assured of the product you are buying is right for your garden football needs.  You may also download  the ‘‘Best garden football goalpost reviews guide” to your computer or mobile to read at your leisure.  CLICK HERE for the ‘Best garden football goalpost reviews guide download.

The Best Garden Football Goalpost Guide has been written to provide professional football advice when buying goalposts for all age ranges. Most of the goalpost guides online are from paid advertsing, a newspaper or paid bloggers for instance, their aim being to sell products…so the reviews may be biased and just include the paid advertised goalpost products. This is also why most of the goalpost guides tend to include the same low cost plastic goals of similar quality that have flooded the market in recent years.. Some of the online goalpost guides even describe the different plastic goal brands Forza and Samba are nearly the same:

quote: ”Samba or Forza Goals?
If you’re in the market for a new football goal, you’ll probably have stumbled across both the Samba and Forza brand. Both offer affordable portable goals that are well reviewed. We recommend buying whatever is better priced at the time, as the build quality is nearly the same.”” patiomate.co.uk/guides/best-football-goals-for-the-garden/  –  24/06/20.

ITSA Goal Posts Ltd goalposts supplied by soccertackle.com manufacture a range of uPVC Goalpost that are different, have a different design and build technique and should be included in these online consumer goalpost guide reviews if the review is to be providing the consumer with a proper picture and to help make an informed decision when buying goalposts.

Best-Garden-Football-Goalpost-Reviews

Which Goalpost to choose and what to look out for.

The best football garden goalposts are going to need to be built well to stand up to constant shots. So the build quality really is of most importance, you will really need to make sure the goalpost with withstand the shots of the age of the players using the garden goal.  We would suggest if the garden goalpost takes an extra few minutes to assemble, this may not necessarily be a negative aspect, It is far more important the garden goal stays sturdy and up with no parts coming apart….it will need to stay in place after endless hours of football games in all weathers!   The goals should include a long Guarantee  – it will only be the companies and goalpost manufacturers that offers extended guarantees that will do so if they know their goalpost can stand up to the hours and hours of constant use. When buying garden goalposts, a quality goalpost product design is very important because unlike other products with built-in obsolescence, (it wears out) a garden goalpost should be designed to last a long time, years and years of footballing impacts….

Best-Garden-Football-Goalpost may last 10 years and more if maintained. Before buying Look for an established company, not just a factory moving imported stock…Check out GOALPOST product reviews not just customer service and delivery reviews, it’s the product you need to read about. Some companies incorporate third party review systems, this involves review companies chasing up reviews after the sale…the review tends to be regarding delivery and customer sales….the review must be about the product and how it works after sustained use, bear this in mind when reading paid for reviews.

Types of Garden Football Goals

Freestanding Garden Goalposts – These goalposts stand on their own thanks to run backs along the ground to the back bar. This type usually has full back net supports. The support does as it suggests and supports the goal frame upright. Please note that freestanding goals should also include ground anchors so the goals can be anchored so when a ball hits them the goal doesn’t move. It is also more importantly for safety, to stop the goals from toppling over during play and also when left in situ. We recommend multi surface anchors on freestanding upvc and aluminium garden goals as opposed to flimsy metal U shaped anchors.

Socketed Garden Goals –  There are two types of socketed garden goals, concreted sockets so the posts slot into a hole which is how adult steel goals are fitted and generally left in place during the season.  This type of garden goal is only really used when you want to install a proper steel pitch in the garden so you need a really big football pitch area. There are also plastic socketed goals that do not require a concreted socket, the post slot over a nylon spike so are just as easy as fitting a normal ground anchor on a freestanding goal. These types of goals require less parts than freestanding goals as they have no base frames and are therefore competitive.

Folding Garden Goals – Originally designed for football clubs so they can store goals easily after games. The goals can fold flat and then be carried or wheels to stores, these goals are also available for gardens but are more expensive as they are generally welded aluminium goals.

Material
Aluminium goals are the most popular used all over the world. Not only are they durable, they’re also light too. However, it’s steel goals that are the golden standard for elite materials. They’re far stronger than aluminium making them ideal for areas where they’ll be misused, climbed on and punished. UPVC goals make for the cheapest types and can be packed away in carry bags for taking to the park, beach or family trip.

 

About us

Itsa Goal Posts Ltd were the very first Goalpost manufacturing company committed to Football goalpost safety and the supply of top quality long-lasting competitively priced football goals. We have been one of the leading goalposts suppliers for schools, local authorities, and sports clubs for over three decades. The industry Innovators in the home of football, Sheffield. We have advised and supplied Football goalposts to the FA, the Football Foundation, UEFA and the world’s governing body FIFA.ITSA Goal Posts Ltd created Mini-Soccer and the very first portable uPVC goal for children which has over the years reduced serious injury and fatalities from toppling goalposts. We supply environmentally friendly goalposts for the professional game, junior football and home use.
A company at the forefront of goalpost innovation with more registered designs and goalpost related patents than any other company in the industry. We do not do the obvious but identify the problems with other goalposts and then solve them. For example, we supply folding aluminium goalpost with lockable side frame, a patented product and registered design, this design prevents the sides of folding goals swinging in whilst in use or when beings stored; our goal design is much safer than folding goals that don’t have sides that stay locked and just fit with a split pin or similar. The Folding Goal also have optional Wheel Transporters which make moving folding goals much easier, safer and this registered design increases the longevity of the product.
The best Football goalposts & goalpost accessories, low delivery charges and industry-leading customer service. A dedicated family business that can be contacted twenty four hours a day seven days a week. A well-respected brand built on customer satisfaction that has the most detailed five star reviews in the industry over thirty years experience and unlike other products all our goalposts follow the latest European standard BS EN 16579:2018 which has superseded BS8462; our regulation goals also follow BS EN748.
“We are committed to goalpost safety and the supply of environmentally friendly, long lasting affordable goalposts.”

 

Goal Post size in relation to suitable age of player.

 

WHAT AGE RANGE IS THE FOOTBALL GOAL FOR
Age range is a factor to consider. The goal post height is relevant to to the child’s height. Children are growing taller these days but when a child grows into an adult they will only ever play in a full size regulation goal in adult matches, which is size 24′ x 8′ (7.3×2.4m). So with this in mind if the goal is for an outfield player the target ideally should be proportional to 24’x8′ . This is so that the practice of shooting is into a goal that is a similar proportion length to height to a regulation adult goal. For example, a 12’x6′ (3.6mx1.8m) mini soccer goal or an 8’x4′ (2.4×1.2m) goal; these goals are proportionally accurate so provide a more realistic goal size for a child. However, if you goal is for budding goalkeeper the goal width and height would be better to be a little larger to enable practising diving. ITSA Goal Posts Ltd (John Wilson M.D.) created the first ever uPVC portable goal in a bag, way back in 1989 which was approved by the FA & FIFA and the goal size created which is now recognized as the official size played by all children under the age of 11 in official mini soccer leagues is the size 12’x6′ (3.6mx1.8). You can see by the size chart below this is an approximate proportional goal so children have a more realistic goalpost for their size.

THE RIGHT SIZE GOAL FOR YOUR LOCATION
There are various goal sizes to choose from, so it’s important to make sure your purchase will fit the size of the location, and also the playing surface. We recommend making pitches and goals appropriate to the age range of players. There are standard sizes of football goal based on the FA’s regulations:

UNDER-8 YRS FOOTBALL
Under-7s and under-8s football should focus on fun and developing technical ability, so it’s recommended the FA’s regulations on goal size are followed. Children should be playing 5-a-side matches at this age, which requires a size 3 ball and a pitch of 40 yards by 30 yards. You will need to purchase goals that are 12 feet wide and 6 feet high in order to comply with FA rules.
UNDER-10 YRS FOOTBALL
Under-9yrs and under-10yrs should be playing 7-a-side matches with mini soccer goals measuring 12 ‘x 6′. However, under-9yrs should be playing with a size 3 ball, and under-10yrs should be using a size 4 football.
UNDER-12 YRS FOOTBALL
When kids reach the under-11 yrs there is a step up in dimensions. Football Pitches should be 80 yards by 50 yards, and goalposts should be 16’x7′. The same dimensions apply to under-12 yrs football
UNDER-14 YRS FOOTBALL
Children normally start playing 11-v11 games at this stage however, they will still play on smaller pitches. A pitch used for under-13yrs and under-14yrs football should be 90 yards by 55 yards, and the goalposts should measure 21’x7’.
UNDER-16 YRS FOOTBALL
Under-15 yrs and under-16 yrs football is played with the same ball used in the professional game, and with goalposts measuring 24’x8′ – the regulation professional standard. The pitch is slightly smaller at 100 yards by 60 yards.
UNDER-17S FOOTBALL
This is the age group at which players make the final transition to full size. The FA states the games should be played on a pitch of 110 yards by 70 yards, within the rules the pitch can reduce the size of the pitch to as low as 90 yards by 50 yards this is to cater for different areas available. Goalposts must be 24’x8′ regardless of the size of the pitch.

 

Recommended goalpost size progression for children

 

 

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Product images of recommended goals

Visit www.soccertackle.com for the best online garden goalposts prices with the longest guarantees included www.soccertackle.com

 

6×4

8×6

12×6

12×6

Freestanding Aluminium

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Which goal post to buy and why

 

FOOTBALL GOAL POSTS FOR EVERY LEVEL OF THE GAME

Only the most durable and highest specification football goal posts are manufactured by ITSA GOAL and supplied at Soccertackle.com. That is why you will not find Far East flimsy football goals, pop up goals, inflatable goals and dangerous heavy free standing steel goalposts on this site.
The goal posts we supply have longer warranty because they are better, the fact others cannot match the three year guarantee on plastic goals shows the obvious difference in quality and longevity. When we and our customers say these football goals are the best and outperform the rest we mean it.
We only sell ITSA GOAL Posts because no other football goals come close when it comes to design, innovation and longevity. With some of the lowest delivery charges in the UK on the larger football goals you will find our prices and next day delivery hard to beat. See what customers say about our football goals As we are footballers ourselves we design products that work and not goal posts that make work. Plastic goals are quick to install (Football Goal VIDEOS ) and as you can see on match days they can go up faster than other similar football goals.
Whether you are purchasing goals for the garden, a school or an affiliated club the ITSA GOAL range is unbeatable and offers the best value for money. From target goals to stadium goal posts, from mini soccer goals to 9v9 football goals,from fixed position anti vandal lockable steel goals to lightweight folding goalposts and full size goals to pack away in a bag we have the lot.
What we will not sell are pitch barriers and training poles with dangerous spikes or heavy steel free standing goalposts to junior football clubs as these types of goals have caused fatalities and serious injury to children in the past. This policy allows us put our heads on the pillow at night and sleep soundly knowing we sell safe products. We always put safety above bottom line profits. If you ever need unbiased and in-depth advice on football goal posts please contact us at any time. We guarantee you will never regret buying our football goals.

WHICH FOOTBALL GOAL IS BEST FOR YOU
Purchasing football goals is a big investment for any club, so it’s advisable to speak with knowledgeable specialists who know what they are talking about and not a “Jack of all Sports”. Whether it’s providing expertise to leading football clubs, or local grass roots teams we always offer clear information and help. For over three decades we have been at the forefront of sports equipment innovation. Functional design at an affordable price is one of the reasons we are recognised as one of the country’s most respected goal post suppliers. We offer comment to the British Standard Institute about goalpost safety and campaign vigorously for change.
Which football goal is best for you depends on your location, the on site storage,the playing surface, the age group using the goal posts and of course the cost. Football goals can be fixed in one position they can be freestanding and movable with or without wheels or they can be portable in carry bags removed from site.

HIGH IMPACT PLASTIC GOALPOSTS

The first company in the world to make strong sturdy uPVC high impact football goals was ITSA Goal Posts Limited and as official suppliers these are without doubt the best plastic goalposts available. When established in 1989 it was thought by the establishment that no one would ever buy a large plastic goal, how wrong can any one be ! The original plastic Goal led to the creation of children’s Mini Soccer. “They say imitation is the best form of flattery” and ITSA GOAL can be proud of the legacy they have laid down and the jobs they have created in a new industry built around kids mini football. Numerous other copies have since emerged but none have bettered or come close to the engineering quality of the original ITSA Goal post products. Don’t take our word for it look at what those that use them say! Football goalposts made from high impact uPVC are the safest and easiest to use around children.
WHY YOU NEED ITSA GOAL POSTS

When looking to buy a good plastic football goal the choice is between very basic imported goals or stronger sturdier and better engineered products like ITSA GOAL posts.”Made in Sheffield”. ITSA plastic goals have been in use without problem now for three decades. Other plastic football goals all have net support stanchions just pushed into holes and not locking in any way to the crossbar or upright posts. The only plastic goal that is truly a fully locking posts are made by ITSA GOAL. Other plastic goals have substantial dips in the middle of the crossbars which is due to the design and the way the nets are clipped and pulled around the front of the posts.Unique arrowhead net fixings allow nets to be secured neatly behind the goal frame on ITSA goalposts which helps keep crossbars straight. Every other plastic goal relies on nets being clipped under the ground frame which frays and shortens the life of the goal net.
The goals you chose should be a strong design. We recommend checking the goal corner bracket design, ITSA GOAL and FOOTIE GOAL branded goals include a locking spigot so that the horizontal top net supports properly locks into place, this design is much better than goals with top stanchions that push in with no locking. If you are unsure when buying a goal ask to check the fitting instructions which should be down loadable from the web site.
The image below shows the difference between the corner brackets.
Our Itsa Goal bracket is on the left…(left) the smaller Striker goal supplied by Smyth’s is in the middle and a samba goal corner brackets is on the right. The Smyth’s toy goalposts have much thinner nets only 1.5mm thick that will just not last as long as a goal with a 2.5mm. The tubing used is smaller and weaker with rear net support tubes only 30mm in diameter. This clearly shows the difference between toys and proper sports equipment.

ITSA GOAL & FOOTIE GOAL Corner bracket is on the left – The products middle and right are NOT ITSAGOAL OR FOOTIE GOAL PRODUCTS. The photo was taken with the parts next to each other so they are proportional and it shows how much smaller the corner bracket of the Striker goal are.

 

The image of the samba goal also shows the large holes in the corner bracket where the back net support tubes spragg in place, in contrast the ITSAGOAL corner on the left has a separate spigot that is designed to lock in, it is specially strengthened internally and the net support is designed to lock in place over the spigot so the back net supports stay firmly in place.

PLASTIC GOALPOST SPARE PARTS
The image below shows the larger strong ITSA Goal back net support elbow and compares it to the Striker goal elbow. It clearly shows the net supports are much larger stronger size. The ITSA GOAL has been measured to have a 300% thicker wall than all other competitor’s plastic goalposts.
plastic goal spare parts which plastic goal to choose

WHY DECIDE ON ITSA GOAL?
Straighter crossbars, longer life nets, arrowhead net fixings,(no time consuming and untidy net clipping around front of posts) less post sections, no creased or broken net supports,much quicker installation, secured net stanchion supports, net fixings to prevent nets fraying on the ground frame, much longer manufacturer’s warranty, competitively priced and better engineering. Football goals for discerning Junior football Cubs and true footballers. Do not be misled by claims that the goals are fully locking when they may not be, do not get fooled by head on shots of football goals that do not show the net supports,(always look to see the side view and if the net is held away at the top as it should be) and do not get fooled by prices inflated then crossed out showing massive savings. And remember Free delivery is not free it is included in the price. One section crossbars on larger goals are well worth the little extra carriage charge…if you choose this type of goal with one section posts and crossbar it will save you hours over the season on match days.
All uPVC goal posts supplied by ITSA GOAL are Match standard and are to the latest safety standards ( they wrote most of the standard). When looking at the cheaper football goals look out for plastic goals with different coloured corners as these are the trade mark signature of low quality Far East goal posts. One of the main differences between other goals and ITSA Goal posts is maintenance costs as some Junior football clubs spend over £200 a year on Spare parts whereas it is very rare for ITSA Goal customers to ever require spare parts at all. That is why ITSA GOAL offer long product guarantees that others cannot match and why professional clubs prefer to use them. If you look at Plastic goal safety section you will see the design problems first hand.

Why not check customer comments from those that have used both types of goals and see what they say? . However any one who ever has the chance to compare or who has other branded Goals often changes in the long run to ITSA Goal posts so check first and it may save you some time and money.
What Type of Goalposts?

We offer portable plastic goals that pack into bags and also goals that have long single section crossbars which do not pack in bags. The single section crossbars are ideal for clubs that can store the goals on site; they have single upright posts and single section back stanchions therefore are stronger and quicker to assemble with less joining sections.If you have the funds the best plastic goalpost are the ITSA GOAL range however if price is the determining factor then we also have the FOOTIE GOALS range without locking buttons and arrowhead net fixings.

The image of the samba goal also shows the large holes in the corner bracket where the back net support tubes spragg in place, in contrast the ITSAGOAL corner on the left has a separate spigot that is designed to lock in, it is specially strengthened internally and the net support is designed to lock in place over the spigot so the back net supports stay firmly in place.
PLASTIC GOALPOST SPARE PARTS

The image below shows the larger strong ITSA Goal back net support elbow and compares it to the Striker goal elbow. It clearly shows the net supports are much larger stronger size. The ITSA GOAL has been measured to have a 300% thicker wall than all other competitor’s plastic goalposts.
plastic goal spare parts which plastic goal to choose

WHY DECIDE ON ITSA GOAL?
Straighter crossbars, longer life nets, arrowhead net fixings,(no time consuming and untidy net clipping around front of posts) less post sections, no creased or broken net supports,much quicker installation, secured net stanchion supports, net fixings to prevent nets fraying on the ground frame, much longer manufacturer’s warranty, competitively priced and better engineering. Football goals for discerning Junior football Cubs and true footballers. Do not be misled by claims that the goals are fully locking when they may not be, do not get fooled by head on shots of football goals that do not show the net supports,(always look to see the side view and if the net is held away at the top as it should be) and do not get fooled by prices inflated then crossed out showing massive savings. And remember Free delivery is not free it is included in the price. One section crossbars on larger goals are well worth the little extra carriage charge…if you choose this type of goal with one section posts and crossbar it will save you hours over the season on match days.
All uPVC goal posts supplied by ITSA GOAL are Match standard and are to the latest safety standards ( they wrote most of the standard). When looking at the cheaper football goals look out for plastic goals with different coloured corners as these are the trade mark signature of low quality Far East goal posts. One of the main differences between other goals and ITSA Goal posts is maintenance costs as some Junior football clubs spend over £200 a year on Spare parts whereas it is very rare for ITSA Goal customers to ever require spare parts at all. That is why ITSA GOAL offer long product guarantees that others cannot match and why professional clubs prefer to use them. If you look at Plastic goal safety section you will see the design problems first hand.

Why not check customer comments from those that have used both types of goals and see what they say? . However any one who ever has the chance to compare or who has other branded Goals often changes in the long run to ITSA Goal posts so check first and it may save you some time and money.
What Type of Goalposts?

We offer portable plastic goals that pack into bags and also goals that have long single section crossbars which do not pack in bags. The single section crossbars are ideal for clubs that can store the goals on site; they have single upright posts and single section back stanchions therefore are stronger and quicker to assemble with less joining sections.If you have the funds the best plastic goalpost are the ITSA GOAL range however if price is the determining factor then we also have the FOOTIE GOALS range without locking buttons and arrowhead net fixings.

 

ALUMINUM GOAL POSTS

Alloy goalposts are lighter, yet as strong as steel goalposts, which makes them much safer. Football goal posts with a lighter mass are much safer and easier to carry and move around on match days. One big advantage of aluminium goalposts without steel net supports is they never rust. Fully Aluminium Goalposts are normally a little more expensive than steel but they last longer,are safer,easier to use,and easier to maintain and move around. You can buy aluminium goalpost with steel folding and fixed sides but these are a little heavier than those made fully in aluminium.

STEEL GOAL POSTS

Steel is used in more open un supervised areas that may be prone to vandalism. The best type of steel football goals are the lockable ITSA GOAL anti-vandal,anti theft goal posts. Steel goalposts are normally slotted into the ground. We have never offered or provided steel freestanding movable goals because they are potentially very dangerous. We were the first in the industry to encourage clubs to stop using these types of goalposts Lighter safer alternatives in aluminium are available and now at a similar similar cost so why buy hard work lumping heavy steel frames about.(see flat pack goals)

TYPES OF FOOTBALL GOAL POST DESIGN PORTABLE GOAL POSTS

Some aluminium and plastic goals can be dismantled after each game and packed into bags and transported in the back of a vehicle. These are Ideal when you do not have on site storage. One advantage being the removal from site after each game alleviates the wear and tear in penalty areas. From a safety point of view, as these goal posts are taken away after the game,no accidents or vandalism can happen so these goalposts provide total accountability. Unique goalpost anchors that require no digging firmly secure the goals in place.ITSA GOAL portable goals are the number one choice of all the leading football tournament organizations.

FREE STANDING MOVABLE GOALPOSTS

Goalposts with bases are made in lighter plastics and Aluminium and both can be made to fit in carry bags or supplied in singe sections for on site storage. ITSA GOAL Patented lockable hinged sided goals are available that give accountability and security.These goals can be installed quicker than any other similar goal and as the fully welded side frames are locked when in play and when stored they guarantee not to swing in and act like a guillotine during football matches. Stronger yet half the weight of any other folding goalposts available they make light work of setting pitches up on match day. Fully welded Freestanding aluminium goalposts are available in light weight alloy along side a more expensive range of professional elliptical movable goalposts. All these types of goalposts can be used on grass or artificial playing surfaces. Easy to use goalpost dollies and wheels are available to move the larger goalposts. Anchors and unique counter balance systems secure the goalposts firmly in place. We do not recommend goalposts with corners held together with brackets as these expand apart and need constant maintenance. Buy welded frames and make sure corners are also welded to save time & money!

ALUMINUM SLOT TOGETHER FLAT PACK GOALS

A free standing lightweight aluminium range that has plastic corner brackets with industrial nylon fixings for extra strength is a very popular alternative to plastic goals. A range is available from ITSA GOAL to compete on price with dangerous heavy steel freestanding goals. No need any more to tug about heavy steel goalposts that may topple forward at any time and cause serious injury. These goals have the added advantage that they can be left erected through the season but can be taken apart,stored flat and yet are very affordable especially if the unpainted mill finish is chosen.

WHICH ALLOY FOOTBALL GOAL ?

We offer portable aluminium goals that pack into bags for use on grass,freestanding movable goals and permanently sited goalposts that slide into sockets in the ground. We also offer the same range in a larger Elliptical aluminium extrusion for stadium and adult football. Aluminium fixed position goals are ideal when the football pitch is in the same position yet posts need to be removed after each game.

STEEL FIXED POSITION GOALPOSTS

We only supply steel goals that are located in ground sockets that are concreted in position. Patented anti vandal lockable goalposts are available as are old technology nuts & bolt products. Do not be confused with other manufacturers claims of supplying lockable goalposts. The difference is that other lockable goals are not really lockable the description may be slightly miss leading as the goalposts only have uprights locked into sockets which can be removed very easily as the crossbar is still only bolted on to the upright which means a simple spanner can be used by anyone to completely dismantle or steal the posts for scrap.Some manufacturers have added padlock cleats to the foot of the upright posts however these may seriously damage grass cutting equipment in the close season when the posts are taken out. Anti-vandal theft goalpost have uprights that twist & lock into the sockets and crossbars are located to the upright and locked which gives total accountability to the key holder.These although a little more expensive than nut & bolt products are fast being introduced on local village grounds and in local authority recreation grounds when old style goalposts are being up dated and replaced.They also offer secure locking socket plugs for the close season.

WHICH STEEL GOALS TO CHOOSE ?

ITSA GOAL patented Anti vandal steel fixed position goalposts are the only fully locking goalposts available that can not be vandalised or stolen.They are ideal for local authorities because the goal has identical laser cut uprights and any post will fit into any socket and any crossbar can be locked onto any upright. When multiple pitches are stored together it is much easier to assemble the goals each season with identical uprights that fit any crossbar. These goals alleviate the need for councils to make sure the same uprights go in the same socket at the same side of the pitch and in the right side of the goal on every set of posts. We also offer 76 mm/ 60 mm nut and bolt (old technology) steel goals at a lower cost but if you can afford the little extra you will save time and money every year when you have to remove them and then reinstate at the start of the season.

WHICH FOOTBALL GOAL POST SIZE ?

We supply football goalposts for all age groups from adults to those just starting to kick a football.
Full Size regulation goalpost is 24 x 8′ (7.3m x 2.4m).
Larger Youth goals are 21′ x 7′ (6.4m x 2.1m)
Smaller youth goalposts are 16′ x 7′ (4.8m x 2.1m) used in 9v9 football.
Adult training five-a-side goals 16 ‘x 4′ (4.8m x 1.2m)
Junior five-a-side 12′ x 4’ (3.6m x1.2m)
Mini Soccer Goals 12 ‘x 6′ (3.6m x 1.8m)
Futsal goals 10′ x 6’6″(3m x 2m)
Junior Goal 8′ x 6′ (2.4m x1.8m)
Junior goal 6′ x 4’ (1.8mx1.2m)

for help & advice telephone office on 01142424244 or our technical directors mobile at any time 07974745768.

 

Goalpost safety and safety considerations when buying goalposts

 

 

GOAL POST SAFETY – BS EN 16579:2018 – GOALPOST SAFETY STANDARD
This is the current standard that all football and rugby posts should be manufactured in accordance with as BS 8462 has been withdrawn. It is crucial that the end user should take responsibility for the installation and correct use of all goal post products. Users should follow the relevant guidelines and pay particular attention to the care and maintenance instructions provided. In particular heavier free standing movable goalposts must be adequately anchored at all times in use , during storage, Installation or movement. Installation should always be carried out under the supervision of a competent person using due diligence and risk assessment. Installation of sockets must be solid, not allow any movement and installation should be carried out by appropriately qualified personnel with grounds care experience. Children should not be allowed to assemble or move goalpost products under any circumstances. Do not install fixed position steel goalposts with children present. Any joints on the goalposts including welds should be checked regularly for signs of wear. Any goalposts damaged in any way should not be used and appropriate remedial action should be carried out before they are brought back into use. Paintwork on goalposts should be checked regularly especially steel posts and damage should be treated promptly as set out on manufacturer’s care & maintenance information. IF IN DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OR STABILITY OF AN ITEM OF EQUIPMENT – DO NOT USE IT. You can contact the technical director at ITSA GOAL for help and guidance at any time. (mobile 07974745768)

DRIVING SAFETY STANDARDS
ITSA GOAL are the oldest plastic football goal manufacturer in the world . They are the leading innovator in football goal post safety and design. The company was the first goal post manufacturer to represent the U.K. on the European Normalisation (CEN) Safety Standards. Prior to this committee being set up no one in the industry had looked into the issues surrounding goalpost safety. The introduction of plastic football goals for children by ITSA GOAL made a huge difference and ensured young children at long last could play football in proportional safe football goals.The EN748 and subsequent BS 8462 safety standards were eventually put in place after the death of Jonathan Smith in 1991 when the BBC program “That’s Life” highlighted the serious injuries caused by heavy and poorly designed goal posts. BS 8462 has now been withdrawn and the new standard BS EN 16579:2018 has replaced it. The momentum and drive towards safer lightweight football Goals by our company has gone a long way towards reducing serious injuries to children around the world. Sadly fatalities continue with heavier goalpost frames that are still in use, and that is why we are fighting to remove all heavy freestanding steel goalposts used by children. Our company has been involved more than most to try and introduce safer football goals. When you have a distraught mum crying “if only my son had been playing with your goals he would still be alive” it does focus the mind somewhat. The lessons have still not been learned and other young footballers are still being fatally injured by heavy freestanding goalposts. We commissioned a University report on the dangers of football goal posts toppling and the overwhelming conclusion was that the mass of the goal and the falling force generated by that mass from the fulcrum point was the main reason why goalposts cause fatalities. Our mission has been to reduce this total mass on all goal posts and in particular free standing movable goalposts to a safer limit. We put safety before profit.

The main dangers with football Goalposts as we see it are:- Fixed position goalpost storage
Fixed position heavy steel goalposts being removed from the ground intact (usually as bolts get rusted up and cannot be easily removed) have crossbars still attached to uprights and if they are stored against a wall, fence or shed then it is possible they could topple forward. This has been the cause of fatalities around children. This is extremely dangerous. Even intact goalposts when stored with crossbar to the floor can still be dangerous especially when multiple sets are lent and stored together as heavy steel falling uprights can be just as dangerous. Such goalposts must be separated (uprights from crossbars) dismantled, made safe and stored away securely preferably at ground level or as low as possible.
Fixed position goalposts in sockets that are bolted need to have the crossbars secured from the sides to the uprights and not dropped onto the top of the uprights and bolted. Goalpost crossbars secured in this way to the side are safer as nuts and bolts cannot be removed without the whole frame being lifted out of the ground sockets which is something a child cannot do without lifting the whole goal frame.

Steel goalposts that have crossbars that just drop into uprights and only rely on nuts & bolts to keep crossbars attached can be easily undone by vandals allowing the crossbar to be lifted off and dropped and the weight of a steel crossbar is heavy enough to cause serious injury or a fatality. The other common problem with this design is that the ground movement and upright position changes making hole alignment difficult. If numerous fixed position goalposts are used then it is imperative that every goalpost upright goes in the right hole at the right end of the pitch at the right side of the goal and on the right pitch every time they are re installed. This is why all over the country goalpost crossbars are not correctly bolted and in some case we have seen dropped on without any nuts & bolts at all. Unlike the anti-vandal goal which allows any upright or crossbar to be used anywhere It only takes one mix up with one upright to ensure all nuts & bolts may be unable to be fitted on the remaining goalposts. Ground sockets for steel goalposts need to be secure and lockable in open areas especially council pitches not just left open for rubble or animals or children to step into. Every goal should provide a secure lockable socket cap system that ensures nothing can be put inside and nothing can fall or become trapped inside.

Heavy steel Free standing goals – dangers
Heavy steel freestanding goalposts toppling forward onto the stomach, head or chest is one of the major factors that cause serious injury.(See our blunt trauma research) The accidents often show this happening whilst goalposts are being set up or moved around and at times when they may not be anchored. We have experienced this type of accident however as we make light weight free standing goals nothing more than a slight bump resulted. (See comments at the bottom of the page from Denis Hickford ) ITSA GOAL are the only football goal post manufacturer in the industry pioneering lighter freestanding goal posts. This type of lightweight freestanding goalpost should be the first choice for Junior Football clubs. It seems a ridiculous state of affairs that these were outside the BSI safety standards yet heavier less practical freestanding goal posts were included. Strong, sturdy long lasting alloy freestanding goals to a weight/mass that cannot fatally injure a child can be manufactured. The goalpost industry has to change. We as a company have never had one of our lightweight crossbars bend or break and we argue to the standards committee and the Football Association that it is not necessary to use heavy steel post sections for children’s freestanding goalposts.
Football goal hand, finger, head, torso & foot entrapment

Entrapment, especially on swinging hinged sided goal frames is a problem. A business colleague lost three finger ends with such goals when heavy steel sides swung in wards and the goal collapsed on top of him during a game. According to the Football Association’s own report it states

 

hundreds of accidents a year are reported in Accident & Emergency departments that are caused by football goalposts. These accidents must be serious enough to need medical attention so whatever is currently causing these incidents shows why radical improvements were needed to BS 8462. We are glad to report that finger entrapment is now included in the new standard BS EN 16579:2018 and that BS 8462 has been withdrawn. Folding goals that have sides that dislodge and swing about are unstable and may be unsafe. Buttons, pins and spring sided frames are just not good enough. All side frames need to be securely locked especially around children during play, whilst being moved and when stored.
Freestanding goalposts with un-welded corners.
A number of freestanding goal frames expand apart and leave dangerous sharp corners that need constant tightening and alignment of nuts & bolts. Our influence has meant that many have changed and now weld corners yet the mitred versions are still being sold as they are less expensive to make. Heavy freestanding goals with integral weights or rollers on the rear of the goal frame are designed in such a way that every time they are moved the nets may become entangled, the structure is weakened as nuts & bolts become loose. These goals in our opinion need to be tested over a much longer period than the one minute required in the standards. Integral weighted goals may need better designed frames that do not work apart as the stresses on these freestanding goals when moved is much more than other types of goals. In our opinion a radical re think about this type of goal needs to take place. We do not make or supply such goals and would never have one on our football pitch as it would compact the surface and may well rut and damage the playing surface.
Football Goalposts with wheels

Wheels on freestanding goals appear to be inadequate for the job as many just buckle over, puncture or lose a rubber tyre at which time they may leave knife like edges. We believe that wheels should be always be removed from goalposts prior to play as they are often located in dangerous positions, have numerous finger and foot entrapment areas and players can collide into them and sustain serious injury. Goalpost wheels buckle and bend outwards and collapse due to the fact that freestanding goals are pulled from side to side more than they are pushed backwards and forwards. This is why you see missing wheels, punctured wheels and dangerous exposed wheel brackets.
Free standing Goalposts – Counter balance Weights

The main problem as we see it are sandbags as these can split and the weight can become less than is required to hold a goalpost securely. The actual weight can vary from bag to bag as they are often left to users to fill and secure. Any form of counter balance weight that can change should be discouraged so the use of water and sand should be avoided. These types of weights may leave users with a false sense of security that they are using the correct weight when they may not be. Only weights that cannot be adjusted should be used so that users know the weight is correct at all times. Slot in water holders into back ground frames will add weight to the frame but may well not meet the test requirements of the BS EN 16579:2018 standard. In our opinion the topple test is far too high for children’s goals which leads to more weights being used than are actually needed and this results from our own experience that users only using two weights on each corner as it is too much trouble to use more. They see that two well-designed weights will do the job if they are sufficiently heavy and are correctly positioned .The topple test in our opinion, if the maximum weight of the goals is reduced, should be much less on children’s goals and should equate to the same force that say four young lads could exert by swinging on the crossbar. This would probably equate that the two counterbalance weights on the rear corners are actually sufficient to do the job but only on the lighter safer freestanding goalposts. At the moment this seems to be happening at clubs and it seems to be

 

safer goalposts that cannot kill the weights would be used on hard surfaces more to stop the goal from moving around rather than to be the main force to prevent toppling. Counter balance weights can be heavy and they should be designed in such a way as to allow them to break down to the maximum health & safety lifting limits which is around 25Kilos. They should always be stored at ground level if possible. Around 112 kilos of weight on the rear ground frame is needed to pass the current safety toppling test.
Hi John, I have just read an article on the new guidelines for goalposts and note that some of your lighter aluminium goalposts do not now meet the proposed current BSI safety criteria. This is ridiculous!

As you know we purchased several goalposts from you over the last five years and to date we have not had a single serious accident or problem with your football goals. We try to stop kids jumping up onto the crossbar, but it is very difficult, especially when away team goalkeepers do it during a game. However, out of all the sets we have, not one crossbar has even the slightest bend in it. We always get complimented on our goalpost and it is a fact that our club appears to have the best equipment in the area. Last year we did have an accident where a goalpost fell onto a youngster. This was because the children started playing in the football goal while it was still being erected. I am pleased to say that although the youngster got hit on the head he only had a slight bump and an ice pack quickly sorted it out.
I would also like to let you know that a few years ago we were sued by a dog walker. We play in a public park and his dog got its leg down a goalpost socket after the socket cap had been stolen by vandals. (not your goalposts I might add) .The dog broke its leg which resulted in hefty vets bills. I’m glad to say that the dog recovered but we had a large claim on our insurance. After this incident we decided to switch to free standing goalposts and fill in all sockets on the park which has proved to be a great decision. This was quite an expense for us but we purchased your freestanding folding goalposts that lock and have not had any problems since. Our goalposts have to be carried nearly 100 yards every Saturday and Sunday and a lightweight goal is essential to make this feasible.The ITSA GOAL posts are the only goalposts light enough and safe enough for a few children to carry them out on their own supervised by an adult.

If the standard is changed we would be faced with purchasing heavier goals in future which is going to affect our finances, as I assume they would be much more expensive, but also would be completely unnecessary. The goalposts from ITSA GOAL are safe and more than adequate to do the job.
Regards, Dennis Hickford – Woodbank Junior Football Club. July 2012

BS EN 16579:2018 NOW INCLUDES LIGHTER SAFER GOALS
Common sense has prevailed in the new standard over the manufacturers who only want to offer heavier free standing goalposts. Clubs no longer have the problems of constant maintenance, the additional work and dangers of moving heavy frames about, constant wheel problems, levers that are tensioned so much they can strain the wrists to release them, finger and foot entrapment areas, constant punctures, ruts in pitches from moving heavy goals around and the worry if one ever did come apart and fall on a child what damage it may inflict. Lighter safer goals are now available within the goalpost standards thanks to our campaigning for change.

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Real Goalpost product reviews

 

MICHAEL A STYLES – SCHOOL GOVENOR – PUTNEY LONDON
This is a brilliant product, I am writing both as a parent and a school governor, I wish you every success

PHILIP CLAYTON- MILLOM FC UK
A grass roots opinion “After using your new style goals for three seasons now, I thought I would write to you to say how well they have performed. The rebound off the posts is phenomenal if it hits at speed. The welded corners and crossbar is an excellent attribute to these goal posts. As for craftsmanship, rigidity and finish, they are of the highest order. After attending Anfield for a day as part of my prize for winning the National Groundsman of the Year Award 2006, I thought to myself that we have got better goal posts than Liverpool F.C.! Ours look so much stronger, they are better made and even more professional” Shaun Hanna – Millom FC The Football Association National Groundsman of the Year 2006 (Step 7 and below)

DENNIS HICKFORD
FOLDING ALUMINIUM GOALPOSTS I would just like to say how pleased we are with the lockable fold-in Mini-Soccer goals we recently purchased. We have fastened the netting permanently onto to frame because they can be easily stored and carried with the netting fixed. Once carried to the pitch the goalposts can be erected and secured to the ground within 60 seconds which is absolutely fantastic. As well as being easy to erect they are also the best and most professional looking goals in the league. Every team that comes to play us comments on the football goals. We have tried several types of goals over the years. Plastic, fully erected aluminum, solid D-side bracket types and these are by far the best we have ever had. Well done to its-a-goal for a fantastic, innovative design.

PHILIP CLAYTON
We purchased five sets of aluminum goals from Itsagoal and are really pleased with their performance. Safety was our main concern and ease of use a close second and after a lot of research and advice we were introduced to Itsagoal and have not regretted the decision. Each time our teams play now we get admiring glances from the opposition teams and many have commented on how professional they look.They are robustly constructed and yet still light weight and satisfy a higher level of safety than the usual statutory requirements and when we are responsible for up to 500 children we can not compromise on safety. I feel sure that they will last for many years because they have been crafted so well in the beginning and we would recommend any other club to use the same.

What are the differences in UPVC, steel and aluminium goals

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN UPVC, STEEL AND ALUMINIUM GOALS

uPVC: Our ITSA GOAL range of freestanding PVC goals are made from high impact uPVC which makes them extremely strong yet lightweight and portable. They are also weatherproof and will last many years. uPVC is lightweight and so is safe particularly for the very young. The goal can also have a very long lifespan.
Steel: We do not recommend steel goals for young children. Freestanding steel goals are heavy and dangerous when the anchors not be used properly. The only exception is socketed steel lockable anti- theft goals that are patented and only available from itsagoal and soccertackle.
Aluminium: The advantage of weighing less enables freestanding goal to move easily. Aluminium goals are more expensive but do not rust. The goals have a proper rebound and you will not get a dip on the larger plastic goal crossbars. ITSA GOAL is an FA suitable football goal supplier and our aluminium goal range has passed strict independent BS safety standards tests.

Don not be fooled by companies using sandbags or water weights on freestanding goals – a litre of water weighs approximately 1 Kilo, therefore weights along a full size goalpost can only weigh around 8 kilos which is not sufficient in line with the goalpost safety standards BS8462. The current advice is 112 kilos for full size freestanding goals to prevent toppling. Please note law one if the game requires elliptical goals to have the longest length of the oval post to across the goal line and not along it. some companies are still selling goals that do not conform to this basic rule. We advise checking this as the current standards state that goals must conform to the laws of the game . contact john@itsagoal.net for any technical queries.

BUY FROM AN ESTABLISHED football goalposts manufacturer in the UK – IF YOU BUY AN IMPORTED PRODUCT from the far east you may not be able TO BUY SPARE PARTS and that is why these end up in a landfill ….”Made in the far east buried in Britain” Buy sports equipment, not a flimsy toy and they will last you years especially if the goals have extended warranty.

GARDEN GOALPOST RECOMMENDATION
Visit www.soccertackle.com for the best online garden goalposts prices with the longest guarantees included www.soccertackle.com