English Veterans Football Club

Four Nations Veterans Football Tournament

Introduction

Currently, there are three ‘Four Nations’ veteran football tournaments which take place annually. The Over 50’s tournament is typically held in June, the Over 55’s tournament in September and the Over 60’s tournament in March.

Historically, the tournaments were contested by the Home Nations – England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland but in recent years Team GB have replaced Scotland in the 50’s tournament, Maccabi in the 55’s and Denmark in the 60’s. In 2024, Scotland returned to the 50’s tournament.

Each nation plays the other three nations, usually over a period of three days. Two games typically take place on a Friday, two on a Saturday and two on a Sunday. Each nation takes a turn to host and shoulder most of the costs. The intention is that a nation only hosts one tournament per year.

Rules

Game and tournament related:

1. Games are 11 a-side, on a full sized pitch and played in accordance with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game.
2. Grass and 3G pitches are acceptable as long as they are good quality.
3. Each nation’s squad to consist of no more than 22 players and all players must be named before the start of the tournament. Please note – nations are expected to travel with a squad that is big enough to provide equally competitive opposition in all three games.
4. Underage players are not permitted – the player must be the correct age on the day of the game. For example, a player might not be old enough to play in the Friday game but could play on Saturday if that was his birthday. Breach of this rule forfeits the game, with a score of 2-0.
5. If a goalkeeper withdraws from a squad at extremely short notice, the impacted nation can request inclusion of a goalkeeper from the age-group below i.e. in the Over 60’s tournament the emergency keeper must be over the age of 55 etc. This must be communicated in advance to the three other nations and accepted by them. Breach of this rule forfeits the game, with a score of 2-0.
6. Two games can be played at the same time on the same day or they can be staggered dependent on the host nation’s preference and pitch availability.
7. The host nation must determine and issue the order of play before commencement of the tournament.
8. Games must commence at a reasonable time although pitch availability and flight times may determine the timing of the kick off. Friday 5pm/7pm, Saturday 1pm/3pm, Sunday 10.30am/12.30pm or similar.
9. A referee and two assistants must officiate every game.
10. All games in the Over 50’s and Over 55’s tournaments to be 90 minutes in duration but only 80 minutes in the Over 60’s tournament.
11. An unlimited number of return substitutes to be allowed. Return substitutes can roll on, roll off at the discretion of the team Manager but they must adhere to procedure as set out in the IFAB Laws of the Game i.e. during a stoppage in play, from the halfway line and when permitted by the referee.
12. 3 points to be awarded for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. If two or more teams are equal on points then goal difference will determine the winner. If still equal then the team scoring the most goals will determine the winner. If still equal then the trophy will be shared. There will be no penalty shoot-out to determine the winner of any game nor the tournament.
13. The winning nation to be presented with a trophy – trophies already exist for each age specific tournament – make sure it is returned by the previous year’s winners.
14. Players from the winning nation only to be awarded with a medal.
15. The officials to receive a commemorative medal.
16. The selection and awards for Man of the Match, Player of the Tournament etc. are not required.
17. The playing of national anthems is not required.
18. The host nation to provide good quality match footballs.
19. The gifting of commemorative pennants to the opposition is at the discretion of the individual nation.
20. If a player is sent off by the referee, that player is prohibited from playing in the next game. If the sending off is for violent conduct, that player is prohibited from playing in all remaining games – the suspension ends on completion of the tournament and is not carried forward to future tournaments.

Hospitality

1. Food does not need to be provided for the players by the host nation after each game. Provision of food after each game for the match officials is at the discretion of the host.
2. A social event with food for all four nations to be organised by the hosts on a date and at a time and venue of their choosing. Attendance is mandatory and the invitation should be extended to the match officials.
3. A programme to be produced by the host nation – the host to request the information they require from the other three nations together with a deadline for submission. At a minimum, the names of all players in the squad must be submitted together with their date of birth and a recent team/squad photograph. If there are any late drop outs, a replacement name and date of birth must be submitted to the host even if it is too late for inclusion in the programme.
4. Kick-about footballs to be provided by the host nation for match days.
5. Players from each nation to provide their own water on match days.

Responsibility for costs

The host nation to bear the following costs;

1. Pitches and changing facilities.
2. Match day officials.
3. Medical provision at all matches.
4. Venue and food for an evening social event for all teams and the match officials.
5. Programme production and printing and other marketing materials.
6. Winner’s medals.
7. Official’s medals.
8. Match day footballs and kick-about footballs.

Individual nations to bear the following costs:

1. Accommodation – hotel, bed & breakfast, hostel etc.
2. Travel – road, rail, air. This includes any travel from and to the airport, rail station, hotel, tournament venue etc. The host nation may offer transportation from and to the airport where this is feasible e.g. when the whole squad is arriving at the same airport and at the same time. The host nation may also offer recommendations for hotels, transportation, restaurants, local shops etc.
3. Food and any incidentals.
4. Water on match days.

Other

1. If required, each nation is responsible for sanctioning participation in the tournament with its local authority, county FA or governing body.
2. Each nation is responsible for its own Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident insurance for its players and officials.
3. Each nation is responsible for informing their players that they are responsible for their own travel insurance.