Courtesy: ManchesterFutsal.comAccording to Manchester Futsal Club’s Chris Vernon, the upcoming FA Futsal Fives is much more than your average five-a-side league. Success in the upcoming league could even see players and teams rise to the top.
Anticipation is rife ahead of the launch event set to kick off on Wednesday at Belle Vue Leisure Centre, where the eight teams will be introduced to the venue and referees before taking part in a mini-tournament, where teams from Bury to Stockport and Oldham to Salford will go head-to-head.
Everyone involved is in for a treat; win, lose or draw there will be plenty of positives to take from the first 14 week season, with each of the eight teams playing each other home and away as they seek to take the league title.
The possibilities are endless, and Vernon believes that any teams or players taking part who are serious about progressing in futsal could see the FA Futsal Fives League offer them the perfect platform for progressing in the game or simply enjoying futsal on a recreational basis.
Aside from the winners’ trophy for the eventual champions, Vernon was keen to point out that the winning team could have the opportunity to play an FA Futsal Fives winning team from another league in the build-up to an England Futsal international match.
The top two teams from the FA Futsal Fives Manchester League will also play an exhibition game prior to a Manchester Futsal Club league game at the National Cycling Centre during the 2013/14 season.
Futsal is still relatively unknown in the UK, but its reputation is growing. Now could be the perfect time to get involved as futsal is becoming more popular and there is a chance that players who are dedicated and show promise in the Futsal Fives league can progress to the highest level.
“The game requires different tactics, style of play and speed adjustments and a player who can show this as well as good ball skills, ball control , fast thinking, high fitness levels and who can be a great team player can reach the elite level I’m sure,” said Vernon
With plenty of scope to impress fans and clubs who might be watching, league hopefuls have it all to play for. According to Vernon, amongst those watching will be those from Manchester Futsal Club’s coaching staff “players who show ability and who catch the eye of MFC staff can possibly gain a trial at the team’s training sessions”.
If that was not incentive enough, Vernon also claimed that “players who are excellent in ability on the national courts then the chance of playing for England is not a dream away”.
The FA Futsal Fives is certainly no ordinary league at your local five-a-side venue, this is a fantastic opportunity to pitch your teams’ skills and tactics against genuine competition and, who knows, maybe even take that extra step to becoming a national futsal legend?
Amazingly it works out cheaper to enter and play than most local five a-side leagues but unlike football, futsal is not all about the money. “Futsal is a faster game, better fitness, more of a challenge, no boards, more accurate passing and shooting needed, no overhead height rules, no referee getting in the way and all our referees are FA qualified,” said Vernon.
The league has a professional feel and, for a lot of the players involved, this level of organisation and the opportunity to play before crowds and professionals is generating exactly the kind of buzz the FA was hoping for when it decided to reach out with the Futsal Fives format where the Manchester league run by Manchester Futsal Club is hoping to be at the forefront.
Demand has been high and although places are already taken for this current FA Futsal Fives season, teams are still encouraged to sign up if they are interested because if the format proves popular then further leagues will be established in Manchester.
So if you do not already know, you better find out. Come down, see the competition and make sure you and your teammates don’t miss out next time.
Even if you have never played futsal before, you will never know if you have what it takes until you try and the league will have players of all levels of ability. “It’s not a question of difficulty of crossing over from football but more of the willingness to learn the game of futsal. Players in England are good enough, especially the younger generation, they just need a chance to shine,” concluded Vernon.
You can follow all of the FA Futsal League updates right here with our regular features or get closer to the action on twitter @MFC_Futsal.
Futsal Fives Fact File
- Eight teams head-to-head in a league
- Matches played on Wednesday evening at Belle Vue Leisure Centre, between 19:00-22:00
- Teams play each other twice
- Champions receive a trophy and the chance to warm up the crowd before an England International Futsal game
- Competitive teams from across the Greater Manchester
- Previous winners include teams from University of Manchester and Salford Victoria
- FA affiliated referees
Posted by
Kevin Hartwell 
