LOCAL HEROES UNITED
Grassroots Football Team Competition – Terms & Conditions
Version: 1.2 – October 2026
1. Competition Organiser
1.1 The Local Heroes United Grassroots Football Team Competition (“Competition”) is organised and promoted by Sopenjen LTD, trading as Goal-Posts.com (“Goal-Posts”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
Trading address:
Goal-Posts.com
Pera Business Park
Nottingham Road
Melton Mowbray
LE14 2QS
Registered company details:
Sopenjen LTD
71–75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden
London
United Kingdom
WC2H 9JQ
Company Number: 17272860
1.2 The Competition forms part of the Local Heroes United programme, through which participating local businesses collectively support grassroots football.
1.3 These Terms & Conditions govern entry into the Competition and the obligations of any team selected to receive the sponsorship prize.
2. Eligibility
2.1 Entry is completely free. No purchase, payment or financial contribution is required to enter.
2.2 The Competition is open only to grassroots football teams that are registered with, affiliated to or otherwise formally recognised through The Football Association (The FA) and its applicable County FA structure.
2.3 The entering team must be based within the geographical County or area specified for the relevant Local Heroes United Competition.
2.4 The person submitting the entry must be an authorised representative of the team, such as a manager, coach, club secretary or other person with the authority to enter competitions and accept obligations on the team’s behalf.
2.5 By submitting an entry, the representative confirms that they have obtained any necessary approval from the club or team to enter and, if selected, to accept the sponsorship arrangements.
2.6 Where the team is part of a larger football club, the representative must ensure that the club has authorised the team’s participation and any commitments relating to kit, branding, photography and publicity.
2.7 Goal-Posts may request evidence of FA registration, team eligibility and the entrant’s authority at any stage.
2.8 Goal-Posts reserves the right to reject or disqualify an entry that does not meet these eligibility requirements.
3. How to Enter
3.1 Each eligible team may submit one entry only into its relevant County Competition.
3.2 Entry must be made by completing and submitting the official online entry form provided through Goal-Posts.com.
3.3 The entry form will request relevant team and representative details, which may include the team name, club affiliation, County FA, age group, contact details and other information reasonably required to administer the Competition.
3.4 Once an entry has been received and accepted, Goal-Posts will issue an entry confirmation, normally by email.
3.5 An entry is not considered accepted until the entrant has received confirmation from Goal-Posts.
3.6 Duplicate, incomplete, misleading, fraudulent or otherwise ineligible entries may be rejected.
3.7 There is no advantage to entering earlier within the published entry period.
4. Competition Dates and County Activation
4.1 Each County Competition forms part of the relevant Local Heroes United programme.
4.2 The Competition will not commence until all 10 Local Hero business sponsorship places for the relevant County have been sold and confirmed.
4.3 Goal-Posts will publish or communicate the opening and closing dates of each County Competition.
4.4 The Competition is intended to run for approximately 12 months following the commencement of the relevant County programme.
4.5 Goal-Posts may adjust competition dates where reasonably necessary for operational, administrative or other legitimate reasons. Any material changes will be communicated through the website or to affected entrants.
4.6 If a County programme does not activate, Goal-Posts may postpone or cancel its associated Competition. Entry does not create an entitlement to a prize where the Competition has not commenced.
5. Selection of the Winning Team
5.1 One winning team will be selected from the eligible and accepted entries in each completed County Competition.
5.2 The winning team will be selected by a random draw from all valid entries received before the published closing date.
5.3 The draw will be conducted using a fair and verifiable random selection process, with an independent person supervising the draw where appropriate.
5.4 Goal-Posts will contact the selected team’s authorised representative using the contact details supplied on the entry form.
5.5 The selected team must confirm its eligibility, authority to accept the prize and willingness to comply with these Terms within 14 calendar days of being notified.
5.6 If the selected team cannot be contacted, fails to respond within the specified period, is found to be ineligible or declines the prize, Goal-Posts may conduct a further random draw to select another eligible team.
5.7 A team is not confirmed as the winner until Goal-Posts has verified its eligibility and received written acceptance of the prize conditions.
6. The Sponsorship Prize
6.1 The winning team will receive a two-year grassroots football kit sponsorship package, funded and arranged through the Local Heroes United programme.
6.2 The anticipated kit package comprises:
- 14 home playing kits;
- 14 away or training kits;
- 2 goalkeeper kits;
- 16 tracksuit tops; and
- 3 coaches’ kits.
6.3 For the purposes of these Terms, a playing kit normally comprises a shirt, shorts and socks, subject to the final agreed specification.
6.4 The final quantities, sizes, designs, specifications, branding and delivery arrangements will be confirmed in writing before production.
6.5 The prize covers two seasons of sponsorship. Goal-Posts will confirm which items are supplied initially and which, if any, are replaced, refreshed or supplied during the second season.
6.6 The prize is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and cannot be sold or assigned to another team without Goal-Posts’ prior written agreement.
6.7 Goal-Posts will arrange the sponsorship at no charge to the winning team, subject to the team’s compliance with these Terms.
7. Kit Design, Colours and Supplier
7.1 The winning team will have the opportunity to select its preferred kit designs and colours.
7.2 Designs must comply with applicable FA, league and competition regulations, including requirements relating to kit colours, numbering, advertising, sponsorship and permitted branding.
7.3 Goal-Posts reserves the right to select and use its preferred kit manufacturers and suppliers.
7.4 The winning team may request that the kit be supplied by an alternative manufacturer or supplier.
7.5 Any alternative supplier must be approved by Goal-Posts in writing before an order is placed. Approval will be at Goal-Posts’ reasonable discretion, taking account of cost, quality, delivery times, branding requirements and supplier suitability.
7.6 Goal-Posts will not be obliged to pay additional costs arising from the team’s preferred supplier unless expressly agreed in writing.
7.7 All kit designs, specifications and sponsorship branding must receive final approval from Goal-Posts before production.
8. Mandatory Two-Year Kit Commitment
8.1 By accepting the prize, the winning team agrees to use the sponsored kit as its only official team kit for a minimum period of two years.
8.2 This commitment begins on the date the team first receives the sponsored playing kit, unless a different commencement date is agreed in writing.
8.3 Throughout the two-year period, the team must use the sponsored kit for all official matches, tournaments and relevant team activities, as appropriate to the kit supplied.
8.4 The team must not replace the sponsored kit with another branded or sponsored kit, or enter into conflicting kit sponsorship arrangements, without Goal-Posts’ prior written consent.
8.5 The team may use an alternative kit temporarily where required by match officials, league regulations, safety considerations, kit clashes, damage or other circumstances reasonably outside the team’s control.
8.6 Where such circumstances arise, the team must notify Goal-Posts as soon as reasonably practicable.
8.7 The team must not remove, conceal, replace or materially alter agreed Local Heroes United or sponsor branding without prior written permission.
8.8 The team must take reasonable care of all sponsored kit and use it appropriately throughout the sponsorship period.
9. Team Updates, Photographs and Promotion
9.1 The winning team agrees to cooperate with Goal-Posts in promoting the Local Heroes United programme and recognising the local businesses supporting its sponsorship.
9.2 The team must provide a minimum of one meaningful update every three months throughout the two-year sponsorship period.
9.3 Each quarterly update should include relevant written information and suitable photographs, which may cover:
- Team news, results and achievements;
- League or cup progress;
- Community activities and special events;
- Team photographs wearing the sponsored kit; and
- Other appropriate grassroots football stories.
9.4 The team must provide photographs of the sponsored kit being worn in suitable team settings when reasonably requested.
9.5 The team agrees to participate in reasonable promotional activities arranged by Goal-Posts, including interviews, team photographs, sponsorship announcements, website features, social media content and publicity relating to the programme.
9.6 Goal-Posts will give reasonable notice of promotional requests and will take account of the team’s match commitments, safeguarding responsibilities and availability.
9.7 The team is not required to participate in activities that would breach applicable law, FA regulations, safeguarding requirements or reasonable player welfare considerations.
9.8 The team must obtain appropriate permissions and consents before supplying photographs, videos or other material featuring identifiable individuals.
9.9 Where children or young people are featured, the team must comply with applicable safeguarding requirements and ensure appropriate parent or guardian permissions and any required club approvals are in place.
9.10 Goal-Posts may use approved team updates, photographs and promotional material on its websites, social media channels, Local Hero business pages, email communications and other relevant programme publicity.
9.11 The team grants Goal-Posts a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use material it is authorised to provide for the purpose of administering, reporting on and promoting the sponsorship programme.
10. Acceptance or Refusal of the Prize
10.1 A selected team is under no obligation to accept the sponsorship prize.
10.2 A team may decline the prize by notifying Goal-Posts in writing before formally accepting it.
10.3 If the prize is declined, Goal-Posts may select another eligible team by conducting a further random draw.
10.4 Declining the prize before acceptance will not create any financial liability for the team.
10.5 Once the team has formally accepted the prize and Goal-Posts has incurred costs or supplied kit in reliance on that acceptance, the obligations in these Terms will apply.
11. Breach of Sponsorship Conditions and Recovery of Costs
11.1 The winning team acknowledges that the sponsorship package involves expenditure by Goal-Posts and that the team’s two-year kit-use and promotional commitments are material conditions of receiving the prize.
11.2 A material breach may include:
- Ceasing to use the sponsored kit during the agreed two-year period without an agreed or permitted reason;
- Replacing the sponsored kit with an unauthorised alternative;
- Entering into conflicting kit sponsorship arrangements;
- Removing or concealing agreed sponsor branding;
- Repeatedly failing to provide the required quarterly updates and photographs;
- Unreasonably refusing to cooperate with agreed promotional commitments; or
- Providing materially false information concerning eligibility, authority or prize acceptance.
11.3 Where Goal-Posts reasonably believes that a material breach has occurred, it will normally issue a written notice explaining the breach and the action required to remedy it.
11.4 Where the breach can reasonably be remedied, the team will be given 14 calendar days from receipt of the notice to resolve it, or such longer period as Goal-Posts reasonably agrees.
11.5 If the material breach is not remedied within the specified period, or if the breach is incapable of remedy, Goal-Posts may terminate the team’s sponsorship arrangements.
11.6 Following termination for an unremedied material breach, Goal-Posts may require the responsible contracting club or organisation to reimburse the full documented cost of all kit supplied under the sponsorship package, subject to applicable law and the requirement that any recovery is proportionate and legally enforceable.
11.7 The cost of kit may include the actual invoiced costs of garments, printing, personalisation and sponsorship branding, together with directly attributable delivery costs.
11.8 Goal-Posts will provide an itemised statement of the costs claimed.
11.9 Any reimbursement lawfully due must be paid within 30 calendar days of receipt of the itemised demand, unless another payment arrangement is agreed in writing.
11.10 Goal-Posts will not seek double recovery of the same loss and will take account of any legally relevant mitigation, refund or other recovery.
11.11 Nothing in this clause limits either party’s rights or remedies under applicable law.
12. Responsibility of the Club or Team
12.1 The person entering the Competition confirms that they are authorised to act for the team and, where applicable, its parent club or legal organisation.
12.2 Before kit is ordered, Goal-Posts may require the winning team’s parent club, constituted organisation or other appropriate legal entity to sign a separate Sponsorship Acceptance Agreement confirming its obligations under Clauses 6–11.
12.3 Where a team is not a separate legal entity, Goal-Posts will identify the appropriate contracting club or organisation before incurring sponsorship expenditure.
12.4 No individual coach, volunteer, parent or player will become personally liable for sponsorship costs merely by submitting an entry form, unless that person separately and expressly agrees to assume such liability in a legally valid written agreement.
13. Changes to the Team
13.1 The winning team must notify Goal-Posts promptly if it changes its name, merges with another team, transfers to another club, ceases playing or undergoes another material organisational change during the two-year sponsorship period.
13.2 Goal-Posts may agree reasonable adjustments to the sponsorship arrangements where the team continues to operate substantially as the same grassroots football team.
13.3 If the team ceases to operate through circumstances genuinely outside its control, Goal-Posts will consider the circumstances reasonably before deciding whether any remedy is appropriate.
14. Publicity and Data Protection
14.1 Goal-Posts may announce the winning team’s name, club affiliation and relevant non-sensitive competition details in connection with the Competition.
14.2 Goal-Posts will process entrant and representative contact information for the purpose of administering the Competition, verifying eligibility, contacting winners and fulfilling the sponsorship.
14.3 Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and the Goal-Posts privacy notice.
14.4 Competition entry does not require entrants to consent to unrelated marketing communications.
14.5 Photographs and videos featuring children or other identifiable individuals will be handled subject to appropriate permissions, privacy requirements and safeguarding considerations.
15. General Conditions
15.1 Goal-Posts reserves the right to verify any entry and reject entries that are fraudulent, misleading or ineligible.
15.2 Goal-Posts may suspend, amend or cancel the Competition where reasonably necessary because of circumstances outside its control, provided it acts fairly and does not materially disadvantage entrants without good reason.
15.3 Goal-Posts does not accept responsibility for entries that are not received because of technical problems beyond its reasonable control.
15.4 Goal-Posts will use reasonable care and skill in administering the Competition and delivering the sponsorship.
15.5 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
15.6 These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from them.