Fantasy Pitch
Fantasy Football
Fantasy football is a game in which participants assemble an imaginary team of real life players and score points based on those players' actual statistical performance or their perceived contribution on the field of play. Usually players are selected from one specific division in a particular country, although there are many variations.
The original game was created by Fantasy League Ltd., and was first played the UK in 1991. It came to national prominence during the 1992/93 Premier League season when it was licensed as the UK's first-ever national fantasy football game in 90 Minutes magazine.
Fantasy football has evolved in recent years from a simple recreational activity into a significant business due to exposure via the internet.
Point Scoring
Points are then gained or deducted depending on players' performances. Points systems vary between games but typically, points are awarded for some or all of the following achievements.
* Playing in a match (or part of a match e.g. at least 45 minutes)
* Scoring a goal
* Scoring a hat-trick (bonus)
* Making an assist (the pass or touch leading to the goal)
* Keeping a clean sheet (goalkeepers and defenders only)
* Saving a penalty
* Being rated highly in a newspaper report (e.g. 7 out of 10 or more)
* Being Man of the Match
As well as the above, points can be deducted for some or all of the following:
* Conceding a goal (goalkeepers and defenders only)
* Receiving a yellow or red card
* Missing a penalty kick
* Scoring an own goal
The number of points each achievement or offence is credited with varies between different games.
Fantasy Football (TV Show)
Fantasy Football League is a British television programme hosted by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel. The Programme began on BBC Radio 5 and was hosted by Dominik Diamond before transferring to BBC 2, with three series being broadcast from January 1994 to May 1996 (followed by episodes during Euro 1996). The show then moved to ITV for live specials on alternate nights throughout 1998 World Cup and then again through the 2004 European Championship.
It is not known if the show is ever likely to return. In its absence, Baddiel and Skinner instead went on to produce a series of podcasts for The Times, documenting their experiences while travelling across Germany at the 2006 World Cup. The success of these has led to the duo being signed by Absolute Radio, where they will host a similar show from South Africa during the 2010 World Cup.