Evening, yes we're here! ;-)
Glad to have you on board guys! There's only been poor old Darlo from the North Eastern neck of the woods until Whitby joined the IFA a year or so back. Boro enter teams into the WorldNet tournament that you'll have heard mentioned, but they haven't competed in the IFA league as such for some years now. As for the Mackems, I don't think they've ever had a team in the IFA, you'll have to shame them into starting a team so you've got a bit of local rivalry up there.
I see you've found the IFA League Table, I'll point you in the direction of the main IFA and Worldnet sites too whilst I'm here so you can have a read up of what it's all about etc.
Main IFA Site:
http://www.internetfootball.org.uk/Worldnet site:
http://worldnet.org.uk/I know it must have been a heartbreaking season for you dropping down to the Championship, but you won't find a more evenly matched competitive league anywhere, better than that Premiership rubbish where it's pretty much a forgone conclusion between a few teams, although obviously we're all trying to get back up there for the money and prestige though! The atmosphere is generally better too, apart from a few (like yourselves) the Prem is filled with "prawn sandwich brigades" and plastic fans that have only discovered they have a team when they reached the Prem. In the Champ every team in general has a high percentage of "core" fans which have been there through thick and thin and not just when they're doing well like the Prem, hence the more devoted fans and better atmosphere, you'll love it honestly.
Anyway, back to business, the IFA is a fantastic league, it's not bound by the stupid rules that the local FA's make up and is more about the football as it's all about building bridges between rival sets of fans. It's not uncommon for teams to lay food on at their local boozer after matches and all have a few pints together. It is competitive though, there are some very good teams out there though with outstanding players that could potentially play at a higher level, Steve's (Surf on here) Preston team being a good example, winning all 20 of their matches this season. But generally, matches are expected to be played competitively but fairly, handbags aren't tolerated at all. Qualified refs are usually used if teams are able to find one, but if not then a representative from each team will usually ref a half each. Subs are unlimited so that teams with big squads can give everyone a go etc.
Anyway, I'll stop babbling now! If you're all organised by the end of October, then we'd love to host you down in Sheffield when our teams meet on October 31st (that's presuming SKY haven't selected for coverage and moved it to a stupid kick off or different day). We play our games less than a mile away from junction 34 of the M1 so it's really easy for opposition teams to get to us.
I'll get in touch with the NOFC manager/heirachy via the e-mail address listed or on the IFA list anyway, but just thought I'd mention that.
cheers,
Danny B.
Inter Blades F.C.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/interbladesfc/ (still under construction so not much detail on yet)
