TITLE: [ONLINE+FANTASY] NFC Manager 2008/09
PRIZE: Win a VIP trip for 2 to Europe to watch a top European Match!

Prizes Galore!! $40,000 Worth of Prizes to be WON.

Monthly Prizes - It’s never too late to WIN!

Win Fantastic Prizes

There are lots of opportunities to win prizes! Prizes will be awarded throughout the season.

Four competitions will be run under the auspices of NFC Manager throughout the 2008-09 Barclays premier league season. Three of these will be in the format of a League:

“Grand Prize”

The winner of the season Long League, and the winner of the Knock-Out cup competition will travel to Singapore and meet in a ‘Championship Face-Off’ competition to decide the “Grand Prize” winner. The Grand prize will include tickets for 2 to Europe to watch a top European game (including travel, accomodation and tickets).

In addition the two ‘Grand Prize’ finalists will also win:

- NFC Manager Season Long Winner (16th Aug 08 - 7th May 09) : US$2,500 + Nokia phone

- NFC Manager Knock Out Cup Winner (Dates to be confirmed): US$2,500

8 x Shorter Season Prizes (Team of the Month)

Team of the Month: Each short month-long “season” top team will US$2,000 & Nokia phone.

League of League of the Month: The Friends’ league with the best average points amongst its players at the end of the short month-long “season” will be awarded US$1,000 to the Chair person to share amonst fellow managers.

Eight, shorter ‘Team of the Month’ seasons for NFC Manager 2008-09 are:

o EARLY SEASON GAME: August 15th – October 2nd 2009
o OCTOBER SEASON: October 3rd – November 6th 2009
o NOVEMBER SEASON: November 7th – December 4th 2009
o CHRISTMAS SEASON: December 5th – 1st January 2009
o JANUARY SEASON: January 2nd – February 5th 2009
o FEBRUARY SEASON: February 6th – March 5th 2009
o MARCH SEASON: March 6th – April 2nd 2009
o LATE SEASON: April 3rd – May 7th 2009

Knockout Cup Champion

A KO style competition running from Dec. 2008 (date to be confirmed) until May 7th 2009.

The winner of the season Long League, and the winner of the Knock-Out cup competition will meet the ‘Long Season Winner’ in the ‘NFC Manager Championship Face-Off’ in Singapore to decide the Grand Prize winner. In addition the NFC Manager of the Knock Out competition will also win US$2,500.

Prize terms apply.
DEADLINE: 7 May 2009
WEBSITE/URL: http://www.espnstar.com/nfcmanager/

DESCRIPTION:

Hints and Tips
This section is aimed at providing some pointers to help you get the best out of Premier Fantasy League.

Whether you are new to football, haven’t played a fantasy game before or are simply looking for some handy tips, the following should aid your team selection and tactics.

1. Read the rules

It might sound simple, but it is important to know the game inside out. If you are familiar with how players score points and when transfers can be made you already have the basis for doing well in the game.

2. Picking players

This is obviously crucial to succeeding in any fantasy game. The following is a mixture of general guidance and more specific pointers relating to this game:

- Select a solid base

While you can change your players during the game, it helps to have five or six reliable players who are going to steadily score points from the first game until the last. This frees up precious transfers for taking out injured players and those playing poorly, replacing them with form players and emerging talents instead of wasting them on fixing problems with your starting line-up.

- Look at the player values

If you are not too sure on how good a player is, their price is usually a good indication. For example, Strikers costing only seven million pounds are not expected to set the world alight, but of course if you have some knowledge on the contrary you could have found yourself a bargain. It could be that they were injured last season or just had a bad season, and they are now on their way back to the top. Likewise, make sure if you pick a Striker costing £20 million they do their job – you cannot afford to waste any of your budget.

- Go with the flow

Have a look at the ‘Most Popular’ lists in the Stats section. Here you can see who everyone else is selecting, to get a good overview of which players other fantasy gamers are expecting to do well. Try picking your sure-fire selections from the top few on these lists, and then using your own knowledge and research to pick a couple of players who others aren’t expecting to score highly.

3. Making transfers

This is another crucial part to playing fantasy football. Capitalising on players’ good form can mean the difference between finishing half way up the league and winning prizes.

- Look at upcoming games

When bringing a new player in, have a look at who they will be facing in the next couple of games. If they are playing hard teams it might be a better idea to choose a player who is going to face opposition nearer the bottom of the league. Also, players are more likely to play well at their own ground, so if their team has a string of home games they may be worth considering.

- Monitor player form
Keep an eye on the best players over the past few games. If a quality player you admire is not scoring goals or playing regularly, be patient and wait until he is performing again until you select him. Often it is hard to overrule your instincts of picking your favourite players, but doing this will ultimately cost you points. If you have a tip regarding a new player who doesn’t cost much, maybe wait until he has played a game or two to see if he is worth taking an educated gamble on.

- Time your transfers

Linking in to player form, this is probably the most difficult part of playing any fantasy game. If you can get any background information on a player – his fitness, his morale, or even what is going on in his private life – you may be able to guess when they are going to start playing well. At the same time, monitor players who are on form, and try and switch them for someone else as soon as you think their purple patch is over.

- Pick players who play

However good a player is he will not score points if he is not playing. Keep an eye on who is turning out every week – if your players are constantly injured or left out of the line-up don’t hesitate to ship them out.

4. Keep up to date

It pays to keep up to date with how your team is doing. Log in regularly and be proactive - if you leave a player in who is injured or playing poorly you are losing out on potentially crucial points. The more you know about what is happening in the game in real life, the easier it should be to pick players who you know are going to do well – do your research.

Finally Get Yourself into a Mini-League!!

Either set up a Mini-League and invite your friends or join an existing one (which you have been notified about). It’s a lot more fun to beat your mates and colleagues, and keeps that competitive edge throughout the season. You can enter up to 10 Mini-Leagues so start telling your friends now! Email a Friend.

Game Rules

The NFC Manager game is based on the results and play in the 2008-09 Barclays Premier League season. Players will score points based on ALL League matches played over the season.

The game will start from matches played on Saturday, August 16th, and will run through to the matches completed by Thursday, May 7th.

Each entrant may enter as many teams as he wishes.

COMPETITIONS

Four competitions will be run under the auspices of NFC Manager throughout the 2008-09 Barclays Premier League season. Three of these will be in the format of a League:

1. A season-long individual competition running from August 16th 2008 – May 7th 2009.
2. Eight (8) shorter seasons (approximately one month long) for individuals. Dates outlined below.
3. Eight (8) shorter seasons (approximately one month long) for Friends’ Leagues. Dates are the same as for the individual league.
4. A ‘Knock Out’ style competition running from Dec. 2008 (date to be confirmed) until May 7th 2009.

PRIZES

The winner of the Season Long League, and the winner of the Knock-Out cup competition will travel to Singapore and meet in a head-to-head competition to decide the “Grand Prize” winner. The Grand prize will include a Trip for 2 to Europe to watch a top European game (including flights, accomodation and tickets).

The two winners of the Season Long League (16th August 08 - 7th May 09) and ‘Knock Out’ Cup will also win US$2,500.

Each short month-long “season” winner will win US$2,000 and a Nokia phone.

The Friends’ league with the best average amongst its players in the short month-long “season” will be awarded US$1,000.

SEASONS

There are three main competitions that will score points:

• The FULL season where points score from Aug 16th until, and including may 7th 2009.
• Eight, shorter monthly seasons. The eight seasons for NFC
Manager 2008-09 are:

o EARLY SEASON GAME: August 15th – October 2nd 2009
o OCTOBER SEASON: October 3rd – November 6th 2009
o NOVEMBER SEASON: November 7th – December 4th 2009
o CHRISTMAS SEASON: December 5th – 1st January 2009
o JANUARY SEASON: January 2nd – February 5th 2009
o FEBRUARY SEASON: February 6th – March 5th 2009
o MARCH SEASON: March 6th – April 2nd 2009
o LATE SEASON: April 3rd – May 7th 2009

WHAT’S NEW ON NFC MANAGER THIS YEAR:

- Bigger Cash prizes
- Friends’ leagues
- Transfer Window
- Owner Profiles

HOW TO PLAY

SELECT YOUR PLAYERS:

Select your “Owner” profile from our choice of characters and name your team.

o The team name must be unique. (Please note that any names deemed inappropriate or offensive will not be allowed, and teams will be disqualified and withdrawn from the game).

o You will also be asked “What type of owner are you?” This will be added to your “profile” in the game and will tell your fellow managers what type of management style they are up against.

o Pick Your Squad: Choose players from the “real life” players in the Barclays Premier League.

o To enter a team, you must select fifteen (15) players, PLUS a Manager from the Barclays premier league teams.

o To select a player, click on a blank shirt, and then click on the arrow by the player you want on the list on the right-hand side. Finding a player is easy - you can search by club, position or click the Search for a player box and type out the player’s name.

o Important: In your squad, you may only select a maximum of three (3) players, INCLUDING the manager, from a single Club.

o You must select the squad and Manager from within a budget of £ 150 million.

o You can select your own squad and manager using your footballing know-how – or use the “Lucky Dip” option where our computers pick a team for you.

Captain:

o You must select one player from the starting XI to be your Captain. The selected player will score double points.

o Only the selected starting XI and the manager will score points in any game. Substitutes DO NOT score points.

EXPERT’S GUIDE

REMEMBER:

• Your budget is £150m for your entire squad.
• You can only have three representatives (Manager and players) from each Premier League club in your squad.
• You can make unlimited changes to your squad before the season starts.
• Don’t just pick the obvious players. NFC Manager is far richer than most fantasy football games.

TIPS:
• Don’t just pick the obvious Fantasy Football Players.
• Study the “scoring” table closely before your choosing your squad.
• Balance your budget across the different positions

• We’ve tweaked our points scoring system to ensure that the top defenders and defensive midfielders generate just as many points as the leading goal scorers.

• Make sure all 15 of your squad are regular starters:

o Don’t scrimp on the four players that go on your bench. Because you can change your team from game to game, and only have four transfers a month, it will pay to regularly change your starting XI depending on the forthcoming week’s fixtures.

• Study the fixture list carefully

o Arsenal and Bolton were given great fixtures to start the season, and other teams will have similar runs as the season progresses.

FORMATIONS:
Choose a formation:

o You need to select a formation for your team to play. This formation will decide the shape of your squad, your tactics, and how your budget is spent. Choose your formation carefully as it cannot be changed once your team has been submitted.

o Selecting your formation

 Selecting the right formation is a crucial part of NFC Manager. There are different team formations to choose from. Note that once you have decided on a formation, you must stick with it throughout the season.

 Formations always consist of one goalkeeper and a combination of defenders, midfielders and strikers. So a 4-4-2 formation would consist of four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers.

 The available formations are:
• 4-4-2
• 4-3-3
• 3-5-2
• 3-4-3

Submit Your Team:

o Once you are happy with your selection, and your squad is complete, you must submit your starting XI to score points. All teams which are completed by Friday, August 15th at 17.00 (BST) will be automatically submitted.

o Any teams incomplete or submitted after the transfer window will need to be manually submitted to start scoring points. To do this press the “submit” button which will appear on the “team” page once your squad and team is FULLY built.

MAKING CHANGES:

Making changes to your squad of 15 players and Manager

o Although NFC Manager is a squad-based game, only your starting XI will score points.

o To substitute a player, hover over his shirt on your squad list and move him out.

o Select the player you want to bring on.

o Remember that you need to stick to a required number of positions on the pitch. For example, if you’re playing 4-3-3, you can’t sub two forwards for two defenders.

How to make transfers

o To transfer a player, hover over his shirt on your squad list. Click on it and the player will disappear from your squad. You can now select the player you wish to replace him.

o Remember that although you can make unlimited transfers before the season kicks off, your team’s value must not exceed £150m.

o You are limited to four transfers (including a manager) per short season from midday August 16 2008 and you must click the Save team button to make changes permanent.

o Player values will be fixed for the first four weeks of the season, and fluctuate afterwards depending on their real-life performance and the number of fantasy managers who have bought them for their squads.

HOW TO SCORE POINTS

Manager:
WIN +5 pts DRAW +2 pts LOSE -2 pts

Players:
Position Goal Scored Goal Conceded Clean Sheet Assists
Keeper +7 pts -2 pts +2 pts +4 pts
Defender +5 pts -1 pts +1 pts +3 pts
Midfielder +4 pts n/a n/a +3 pts
Striker +3 pts n/a n/a +2 pts

Additional Points for Players:
Played Over 70 mins +2 pts
Played 69 mins and under +1 pt
Yellow Card -2 pts
Red Card -5 pts

Each Player will Receive Points based on the Performance of their Club:
WIN +3 pts
DRAW +1 pts
LOSE n/a

• STARTING XI & MANAGER ONLY SCORE POINTS:

o Only the selected starting XI and the manager will score points in any game. Substitutes DO NOT score points.

• CAPTAIN SCORES DOUBLE POINTS:

o Choose one player from the eleven on the pitch to be your CAPTAIN.

o Your chosen captain will remain your team captain until your either drop him from the starting XI, or transfer him.

o This player will score DOUBLE points during the time he remains as Captain.

o If no captain is chosen, no player will receive double points.

o You can change your Captain by dropping him from the starting XI, or even transferring him out of the Club during the regular Transfer Windows.

• OTHER NOTES:

o Only Barclays Premier League 2008-9 games will count towards NFC Manager 2008-9 points. Games taking place in the FA Cup, League Cup, European competitions or any other format will not count for scoring purposes.

o A player receiving 2 Yellow Cards and consequently a Red Card will score -5 pts only.

o Only players listed as Goalkeepers or Defenders in the official 2008-9 player lists will lose points for Conceding Goals.

o Points will not be changed if goals are subsequently re-assigned by FA Dubious Goals Committee.

o Points are not changed for yellow and red cards rescinded after the match taking place.

4-DAY TRANSFER WINDOW

TRANSFERS relate to buying new players for your squad.

• You can only make Transfers into your squad during a 4 day ‘Transfer Window’ each month.

• Every month you are allocated 4 Transfers to use only during a 4 day Transfer Window. This is the time you can replace players in your squad.

• It’s important to note that you can only make transfers into your squad during this 4 day window - outside these 4 days you cannot make transfers into your squad.

• Your 4 day ‘Transfer Windows’ are as follows:

o Early Season - Tuesday 2nd Sept 08 (00.01) until Friday 5th Sept 08 (23.59)
o October - Tuesday 30th Sept08 (00.01) until Friday 3rd Oct 08 (23.59)
o November - Tuesday 4th Nov 08 (00.01) until Friday 7th Nov 08 (23.59)
o Christmas Season - Tuesday 2nd Dec 08 (00.01) until Friday 5th Dec 08 (23.59)
o January - Tuesday 30th Dec 08 (00.01) until Friday 2nd Jan 09 (23.59)
o February - Tuesday 3rd Feb 09 (00.01) until Friday 6th Feb 09 (23.59)
o March - Tuesday 3rd Mar 09 (00.01) until Friday 6th Mar 09 (23.59)
o April - Tuesday 31st Mar 09 (00.01) until Friday 3rd Apr 09 (23.59)

* All times and dates quoted are in UK Time.

• You cannot carry transfers over outside the 4 day ‘Transfer Window’, from one month to another. If you have any transfers left at the end of the ‘Transfer Window’ you will lose them.

• Please Note: Your squad comprises of 15 players plus 1 manager, only the 11 players you select for your final team will score the relevant fantasy points. Your substitutes do not score you points.

Transfer Deadlines

• All transfers/swaps must be made by the published time of kick-off for any match.

• Only those players named in your starting line up at the published time of kick off will score fantasy points for that match. That means players on the bench do not score points for you.

• You can transfer/swap players out once a match has kicked-off and you will still score points for him.

• Players will only score points from the time/date they have been transferred/swapped into your team. Time of transfers will only be recorded as per the server clock (displayed in the top right hand side of the screen). We will not enter into discussion about times of transfer, or backdate points for any reason.

JOINING DATES

You can join the game at any point throughout the season. However you will not score points until your team is submitted.

FRIENDS / MINI-LEAGUES

Fancy taking your mates on in a no-holds barred fantasy football challenge? Then the Friends’ League option is for you. It’s essentially a private league where you can take on friends and colleagues.
If you’ve signed up to our game you can create as many leagues as you want. All you need to do is follow these steps:

1) Set up your squad and register to play NFC Manager
2) Create a league name and password.
3) Once this is done you can invite your friends to join the league by clicking the Challenge a mate button.
4) There must be a minimum of EIGHT players to form a Friends’ League.
5) Your friends will then be sent an email giving the name and password of your league. Once they’ve entered these details they’ll automatically be entered in the league.
6) There’s no limit to the number of mini-leagues you can enter, and there are prizes to win for the league that has the best AVERAGE score per member.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you need a little help with your NFC Manager team, check out the FAQ’s and you’ll probably find your answer. We’ve got advice on almost everything you need to know about.

Click on the questions to view the answers.
Getting Started

HELP! I can’t log on!
Check that your browser (or maybe office firewall) is set up to accept ‘Session Cookies’. Check your browser security settings. You do this with Internet Explorer via Tools / Internet Options / Security. Choose default level. The default setting allows session cookies (these are only stored while you are on our site, and are then deleted). If you still can’t log on? You might be typing in the wrong username or password!

The game doesn’t display properly.
If you are using a Mac computer try setting your browser to Firefox. If you are having further problems, write to our technical department by selecting ‘Contact Us’ in the left hand menu.

The writing is really small! How can I make it bigger?
We have modified the site to comply with DDA guidelines. If the writing is appearing very small you can amend the text by visiting the ‘View’ option on your browser window. Choose ‘Text Size’ and move the text size move to medium.

When does the game start?
The game starts from the 16th August 2008 through to, and including, 7th May 2009. The games played are based on the all games played in the 2008/2009 Premier League Season. You can enter a team at any point during the season.

When does the registration period stop ?
You can join and set up teams all the way through the season.

I haven’t received an activation code yet. Why not ?
If you have a spam filter active on your e-mail, your activation code e-mail may have been treated as ’spam’ mail. If you are an AOL or ‘Hotmail’ user and you click the ‘report as spam’ button, we are required by AOL to delete your team registered with that email address and all your information held from our database. AOL users please be aware if you click the ‘Report as Spam’ button your teams will be deleted. If you have not received an activation e-mail within 24 hours, please use the ‘Forgotten Password’ facility on the home page and we will resend your activation code to you.

Building a Team

Do I have to pick players from different clubs ?
Yes! You are only allowed to buy a maximum of 3 players (including a manager) from 1 club.

I’ve spent all my money. How do I complete my team ?
You have a budget of £150million to spend on your team. If you have used up your budget, but not completed your team your must make some transfers to free up some budget. You can make as many transfers as you like before you submit your team, HOWEVER, once you have submitted your team any transfers you make will count against your quota.

When do I have to submit my team?
You must submit your team to score points. Once your team is complete you can submit it. Your team will not start scoring, or appear in a Mini-League, until you have submitted your team. If you enter your team before the transfer window closes at 17.00 (UK Time) on 15th August 2008 you will not be able to submit your team - however, make sure your team is complete as all completed teams will be automatically submitted when the transfer window closes at 17.00 (UK Time) on the 15th August, 2008.

How can I submit my team ?
Once you have picked 11 players plus 4 subs and a manager (15 players & 1 manager), a submit button will appear on the top of the screen. Your team will not start scoring, or appear in a Mini-League, until you have submitted your team. If you enter and complete your team before the transfer window it will be automatically submitted when the transfer window closes at 17.00 (UK Time) on 15th August 2008.

Playing the Game

I have submitted my team but I can’t play any games ?
Your team does not play any games as such - your players score points based on their real life performance in the Premier League season. Your team will then be given a collective score and you will gain or lose places in your respective league.

How do I score points?
Points are scored based on the performance of players. A full list of the points allocation can be found in the game rules.

When do I get my transfers ?
You are allocated 4 transfers each month. HOWEVER - You have to make changes to your squad in a ‘4 DAY TRANSFER WINDOW’.

The 4 days each month you can replace players in your squad are as follows:
- September - Tuesday 2nd Sept 08 (00.01) until Friday 5th Sept 08 (23.59)
- October - Tuesday 30th Sept08 (00.01) until Friday 3rd Oct 08 (23.59)
- November - Tuesday 4th Nov 08 (00.01) until Friday 7th Nov 08 (23.59)
- December - Tuesday 2nd Dec 08 (00.01) until Friday 5th Dec 08 (23.59)
- January - Tuesday 30th Dec 08 (00.01) until Friday 2nd Jan 09 (23.59)
- February - Tuesday 3rd Feb 09 (00.01) until Friday 6th Feb 09 (23.59)
- March - Tuesday 3rd Mar 09 (00.01) until Friday 6th Mar 09 (23.59)
- April - Tuesday 31st Mar 09 (00.01) until Friday 3rd Apr 09 (23.59)

The above Transfer update times are available on ‘Game Rules’ page.

You may not carry transfers over to the next month.

How do I make transfers ?
You can make transfers/swaps in your squad to optimize your point scoring potential. Once you have logged on, head to the Team section. Select the player you want to transfer out.

Moving Players off the Bench onto the Pitch:
If transferring a player from your bench click on the player on your bench you want to bring into your starting 11.

If bringing new players into your squad: From the list of available players then select the player you want to transfer in. Any players marked ‘x’ are out of your budget. Complete the transfer by choosing the ‘Yes! I want to make this transfer option!’

Can I transfer/swap players between games ?
Yes, all transfers.swaps must be made by the published time of kick-off for any match, but you can transfer players out after kick-off to get your line-up ready for the next match.

Time of transfers will be recorded as per the server clock (displayed in the top right hand side of the screen). All times are recorded in UK Time.

I am trying to make a transfer and it won’t let me!
If you are having trouble making a transfer it’s probably because you have spent all your budget. You must stick to your budget of £150 million. You will not be allowed to transfer players outside of the allocated Transfer Windows. The Transfer update times are available on ‘Game Rules’ page.

Can you tell me who runs team xxxxxxxxx ?
NO ! When users sign up we promise that no details will be passed on to anyone - so we will not give any information relating to who runs any teams.

How do I claim my prize ?
We will contact winners within a 28 day period of them winning. If there is a tie, the manager that joined first will be deemed the winner.

How do I change my personal details/password ?
You can change your details by updating the ‘My details’ page once you have logged on. You can change your team name by logging on and choosing the “Change my team name” link in the Team section of the site.

I don’t want to play anymore. How do I delete my team ?
We cannot delete teams. If you no longer wish to play the game you can contact us to unsubscribe from our database.

Point Scoring

What happens if my manager gets sacked ?
Transfer him! A sacked manager will no longer gain any points for you. You will still score points for the rest of your team who are playing games.

What happens if my player is transferred out of the Premier League?
This players status will be changed to unknown in the game whereby the player will display in your team in a shirt and tie with a red line through it. You must transfer him as you will no longer score points for this player. If a player transfers to another Premier League club they will then score points for your team at their new club.

Why haven’t I scored any points for my player ?
Your players will not score points until you have submitted your team. If you transfer a player into your team once an official game has started they WILL NOT score any points for that game. Make sure all your transfers are complete before the transfer deadline!

Players will only score points if they set foot on the pitch during a match - if your player is injured, suspended or on the bench they will not score fantasy points.

Also please remember - if a player is sitting on the bench in your squad - he will not score points. he must be in your starting 11 to score points.

When do the points get updated ?
We will update points with a 48 hour period of each match ending.

Will my teams score be changed because of changed/reversed decisions ?
To keep this game as up to date as possible we will use the scores / results that all the original news agencies report. If there are reverse decisions or the results are reported differently after the initial report we will NOT change the original score reported. Therefore, any red/yellow cards, own goals or final results that are awarded/taken away from players/teams after the event will have no impact on their original fantasy points awarded.

Do players on the bench score points ?
No! A player must set foot on the pitch to score points - no points are scored from the bench. For example, if a player is substituted on/off he will score points for a ‘win/lose/draw’ as if he played the whole game.

What happens if a player is injured and doesn’t play anymore?
If the player does not play in the matches he will not score points. So if he is injured and out of the competition transfer him!

What do Captains do?
Choose one player to be the Captain of your team. Your chosen ‘Captain’ will remain your team captain until you transfer him. This player will DOUBLE his game points during the time he remains as captain. If no captain is chosen, no player will received double points.

How do you measure an ‘Assist’?
A player will be given points for an assist if he is the last player to give a ‘clean pass’ to the goalscorer when a goal is scored by his team.

An assist will be allocated to any player who makes the last pass/header etc. (contact action) before a goal is scored by a team-mate, regardless of the length, quality or intention of that action.

No assist will be awarded to players who are fouled to earn a penalty, for players making the last contact action prior to an own goal or for players whose contact action is parried/blocked or hits the woodwork before resulting in a goal for a team-mate.

Please note: Points for assists can vary up to 36 hours after the match - on the basis that we may need to verify the last player to pass the ball to the goal-scorer.

Mini-Leagues

Am I in a League ?
Yes. Everybody automatically enters the World League, where they compete with everybody who has registered. You can also set up a ‘Private League’ where you can play a group of friends - this can be found under ‘Mini-League Admin’ in the Leagues section of the website, once you have logged on.

Can I set up a private league to play against my friends ?
Yes. You can set up a Mini-League to challenge your friends and colleagues. Choose the ‘Mini-League Admin’ link on the League section once you have logged in. Here you can choose to set up a Mini-League yourself or enter one that has already been set up using a league name and password

Can I join a league mid season ?
Yes. You can place your team into a league at any stage in the year. Your team will keep any points etc. that it has earned to date, although any mini-leagues created after 10th October, 2008, which is 56 days of competition starting, will NOT be eligible to win prizes. Remember, once in a Private league your team cannot leave that Private league.

How can I move my team from one league to another ?
You are unable to move teams in and out of leagues. Your team will remain in it’s league forever, however you can belong to 10 mini-leagues including 1 that you can create yourself. Please note: you can ONLY create and be the ‘Chairman’ of 1 mini-league.

I have entered my team into a Mini-League but I can’t see it !
The site updates periodically, so you may not be able to see your team in a mini-league straight away. Once the site has updated your team will show in your Mini-League list. Only teams that have been submitted will be shown in Mini-Leagues.

NFC Manager Terms and Conditions

The online service ESPN Star Fantasy Football game is offered by ESPN Star Sports whose trading office address is at 151 Lorong Chuan,#03-01 New Tech Park, Singapore 559741, and run by Silent Manager (Australia) Pty Limited (’the Company’), whose trading office address is at Level 6, 275 Alfred Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia..

1. These rules are the general terms and conditions (”Terms and Conditions”) that apply to the fantasy football game described at the URL address

http://www.espnstar.com/nfcmanager

(”Game”), unless otherwise expressly stated. By entering the Game through the web pages located at

http://www.espnstar.com/nfcmanager

(the “Site”), entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Specific rules relating to the Game are displayed on the

http://www.espnstar.com/nfcmanager

web page posting for the Game (the “Game Rules”) and are incorporated herein. In the event of discrepancy between these Terms and Conditions and the Game Rules, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

3. In the event of any dispute regarding the Terms and Conditions, Game Rules, conduct of the Game, results and any other matter relating to a Game, the decision of ESPN STAR Sports shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

4. Please note that ESPN STAR Sports reserves the right to cancel or modify the Game, and amend or reissue the Game Rules or these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice and you agree that no liability shall attach to ESPN STAR Sports or the Company and that you have no right to claim any compensation as a result thereof. Any changes will be posted either within the Game Rules or these Terms and Conditions. You should visit this page regularly to review the current Terms and Conditions, since your continued use of the Site will be deemed as irrevocable acceptance of any revisions. Any such revisions may include extending the Terms and Conditions to include other terms and conditions applicable to other products or services offered by us from time to time. These Terms and Conditions were last updated on 12th August, 2008.

5. ESPN STAR Sports and the Company will assume (and by using the Site you warrant) that either you have legal capacity to enter into the agreement set out in these Terms and Conditions (i.e., that you are of sufficient age and mental capacity and are otherwise entitled to be legally bound in contract), or if you are below 21 years of age, your parents have consented to your use of the Site and accept these Terms and Conditions on your behalf

5.1 To have a Team you will need to buy 11 players plus 4 subs and a manager. Please note - only the 11 players you select for your final team will score relevant fantasy points.You may only select 3 players (including a manager) from one club. The only exception to this rule is when a player in the game transfers to another club in the league - in this case they will automatically be transferred to their new club in your team. If this player goes to a club where you already have 3 other players from that club, a fourth player will be allowed into your team as an exception to the 3 player rule. Once this player is transferred out of your team you will no longer be allowed to have four players from one club in your team. Players that are transferred/ loaned to a club outside the league will go to ‘club unknown’ and you will have to use a transfer to put a new player into your team.

6. Playing the Game.

6.1 To have a Team you will need to select 11 players plus 4 subs and a manager. Please note - only the 11 players you select for your starting team will score relevant fantasy points.

6.2 Entry to the Game and all transfers throughout the Game are FREE.

6.3 Qualifying Entrants

a. To qualify to enter the Game, entrants must be residents of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Brunei and Bangladesh and must provide a valid telephone contact number, home postal address and e-mail address. In the event that any entrant is below 21 years of age, such entrant must obtain consent from his/her parent or legal guardian prior to entering the Game. ESPN STAR Sports and/or the Company reserves the right to verify that such consent has been obtained at all times.

b. Employees and agents of any sponsor or promoter of the Game, ESPN, ESPN STAR Sports, STAR TV, the Walt Disney Company, the Company, Nokia Pte Ltd or any advertising agency, web company connected with ESPN STAR Sports (the “Specified Companies”) or any subsidiary or associated company of the Specified Companies, as well as members of their families or households, are not eligible to enter the Game. ESPN STAR Sports and/or the Company reserves the right to verify the eligibility of all entrants.

c. By entering the Game, you:

- warrant that all information submitted by you is true, accurate, current and complete;
- accept that all entries and any intellectual property rights subsisting therein, which are received by ESPN STAR Sports will become the property of ESPN STAR Sports and will not be returned; and
- warrant that your entry does not defame, cause injury or invade the privacy of or otherwise infringe or violate any statutory, common law, regulatory or intellectual property rights of any third party.

d. ESPN STAR Sports reserves the right to disqualify or exclude any entrant from the Game and withhold prizes if it has reasonable grounds to believe the entrant has breached any of these Terms and Conditions.

e. In the event that any entrant is disqualified from the Game, ESPN STAR Sports may in its sole and absolute discretion select another winner from entries received before the specified closing date on the same criteria as the original entrant who will be subject to these Terms and Conditions and the Game Rules.

6.4 Only the registered user may make transfers (or changes) to his or her team. Anyone found to be managing a team that does not belong to them, on behalf of another game player or without their knowledge, will be removed and not eligible to win prizes.

6.5 A user may only ‘Chair’ (create) 1 mini-league and can join up to 9 mini leagues. Therefore one user can only belong to 10 mini-leagues. Any attempt to become a part of more than 10 mini-leagues will result in removal from the Game.

6.6 Any users that ESPN STAR Sports reasonably considers are not conducting themselves within the Game with good sporting conduct’ will be removed from the game. Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding sentence, it will not be good sporting conduct to make transfers in multiple mini-leagues by any one manager. The decision of ESPN STAR Sports shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into about users or teams that are disqualified.

6.7 Duplicate mini-leagues entered into the League of Leagues will be removed immediately. Duplicate mini-leagues constitute 4 or more members (Game players) of the original mini-league in an additional mini-league to that one.

6.8 Mini-Leagues where one user manages all of the teams in that one mini-league is considered unsporting conduct and will NOT be eligible to win prizes.

6.9 Proof of dispatch cannot be accepted as proof of delivery. ESPN STAR Sports does not accept responsibility or liability for any failure to receive entries whether caused by any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft, destruction, alteration of, or unauthorised access to entries, server functions, virus, bugs or otherwise,

6.10 For the purposes of the Game and your use of the Sites the Company’s computer record of your entry will be considered to be your entry. ESPN STAR Sports have the right to reject what, in its sole discretion, it considers to be incomplete, inaccurate or corrupted entries. The decision of ESPN STAR Sports as to whether an entry is incomplete, inaccurate or corrupted is final.

7.0 Team qualification
The League of Leagues competition will only be entered by mini-leagues who qualify with the minimum number of teams by Friday, 10th October, 2008, which is 56 days from the competition starting. All mini-leagues set up, or with the required number of teams achieved after this date do not qualify for entry in to the League of Leagues competition.

7.1 All teams will score points from the matches played after the teams are selected and received by the deadline of the published kick-off time for any match. Time of transfers will be recorded as per the server clock (displayed in the top right hand side of the screen). Player points scored from matches played earlier will not be added. Teams will not score points until they have qualified for entry.

7.2 ESPN STAR Sports and the Company are committed to ensuring, as far as reasonably practicable to do so, that the Site and the Game do not cause offence to anyone using the same. You must not therefore enter a name for your team that may be considered by others to be inappropriate or offensive. A non-exhaustive list of names that may be considered to be inappropriate or offensive are names that are obscene, pornographic, racist, abusive or harassing. ESPN STAR Sports and the Company reserve the right to refuse to accept, and may change any team names which are considered, in their sole discretion, as inappropriate or offensive.

7.3 The players included on the player list and their positional classifications have been determined by the Company. The Company will not enter into any correspondence relating to details of the player list, nor will they accept the inclusion into a team of any player not on the published list. New players will be added to the player list if they come into first team reckoning at a English Premier League, at the discretion of the Company. Players changing clubs within the English Premier League will also change clubs on the player list and appear differently in your team.

7.4 Players will score points as follows:

Manager:

WIN +5 pts DRAW +2 pts LOSE -2 pts

Position Goal Scored Goal Conceded Clean Sheet Assists
Keeper +7 pts -2 pts +2 pts +4 pts
Defender +5 pts -1 pts +1 pts +3 pts
Midfielder +4 pts n/a n/a +3 pts
Striker +3 pts n/a n/a +2 pts

Additional Points for Players:
Played Over 70 mins +2 pts
Played 69 mins and under +1 pt
Yellow Card -2 pts
Red Card -5 pts

Captains will recieve DOUBLE POINTS.

Each Player will Recieve Points based on the Performance of their Club:
WIN +3 pts
DRAW +1 pts
LOSE n/a

ASSISTS:
a) Subject to paragraph c) below, a player will be given points for an “assist” if he is the last player to give a “clean pass” to the goal-scorer when a goal is scored by his team.
b) Subject to paragraph c) below, an assist will be allocated to any player who makes the last pass/header etc (contact action) before a goal is scored by a team-mate, regardless of the length, quality or intention of that action).
c) No assist will be awarded to players who are fouled to earn a penalty, for players making last contact action prior to an own-goal, or for players whose contact/action is parried/blocked or hits the woodwork before resulting in a goal for a team-mate.

NOTE: Points for assists are awarded up to 24 hours after the initial match points are awarded. These points can change up to 36 hours after the match following verification of the last player to pass the ball to the goal-scorer. The decision of the Assists is final and discussion will not be entered into regarding the allocation of points for assists.

7.5 The Company will use the latest scores reported by key news agencies as the basis of the fantasy scoring criteria. Reversed decisions will not be counted, (therefore if a red card or own-goal decision is reversed / altered after the initial reporting on the game, the original score will remain). Points will only be corrected if the initial reporting was incorrect. Please note: substitution times are referenced within a 90 minute game (i.e. excluding injury time).

7.6 A maximum of 4 transfers will be awarded at the start of each calendar month, on the dates laid out in the ‘Game Rules’. Transfers CANNOT be carried over into the following month.

7.7 The Site and all materials, characters, logos or other images, and in particular the rules and point structure incorporated by ESPN STAR SPORTS and/or the Company, on the Site are protected by copyrights or other intellectual property rights. No information may be reproduced in any format without prior written consent from ESPN STAR Sports.

7.8 Please act responsibly when using the Sites and comply with these Terms and Conditions and the rules of the Game. It is a condition of entry that all rules and Terms and Conditions are accepted as final. ESPN STAR Sports reserves the right to refuse to accept or disqualify any entry which, in its sole opinion, does not comply with the Terms and Conditions or the Game Rules for the Game or which contravenes the essence of the Game.

7.9 Informative and explanatory information supplied by the Company or ESPN STAR Sports relating to the Game forms part of the Terms and Conditions of the Game.

8. Prizes

8.1 The winner of the overall season (16th August 2008 - 7th May 2009) competition will be the entrant (“owner”) whose team has accumulated the most points throughout the competition. In the event that two or more teams have the same points, the owner that registered first will be deemed the winner. The highest scoring owner at the end of the season will win prize(s) as outlined by the Game Rules.

8.2 Team of the month prizes will be awarded to the highest scoring team each month (September 08 - April 09 inclusive). In the event that two or more teams have the same points, the owner that registered first will be deemed the winner. Only one team or ‘League of League’ of the month prize may be won per entrant and in the case of a subsequent prize of the month being won by the same entrant the prize will defer to the next eligible entrant.

The team of the month winner will win prize(s) as outlined by the Game Rules section.

8.3 Prize winner(s) will be notified by e-mail within 28 days of award. Return of any prize notification as undeliverable or failure to reply within 15 days of email notification shall result in disqualification.

8.4 Enquiries regarding prizes must be made via email to

contest@espnstar.com

. Failure to claim a prize within the time or manner notified may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. All entitled winners shall receive their prize(s) within 90 days of making their claims. Should a winner not receive his/her prize within this time then he/she should contact ESPN STAR Sports directly by email to

contest@espnstar.com

.

8.5 The receipt, by you if you are a winner, of any prize is conditional upon compliance with any and all laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, these Terms and Conditions.

8.6 Winners agree that neither the Company or ESPN STAR Sports nor their employees shall have any liability in connection with the acceptance or use of any of the prizes.

8.7 Prizes are non-transferable and there is no cash alternative ESPN STAR Sports reserves the right to request documentary proof of residency and/or age of any winner before any prize is dispatched.

8.8 In the event that any prize or receipt thereof incurs any tax liability such tax shall be borne by and is the sole responsibility of the prize winner.

8.9 Prizes are awarded on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind from ESPN STAR Sports, express or implied, save where this would be contrary to applicable law. Actual prizes by ESPN STAR Sports, and any of its sponsors, may differ from those shown anywhere in or during the contest. Entrants shall not make any claims or demands in this regard.

8.10 Where relevant, winners should check with any relevant authorities regarding passport and visa requirements; it is the sole responsibility of winners to produce all requisite travel documentation. Travel and other insurance are not included and winners are strongly advised to take out insurance cover for all appropriate risks. Any costs incurred additional to the prize package elements expressly specified are at the sole expense of winners and/or their companions.

8.11 Following notification under clause 9.3, the Prize winner will be emailed or posted a Liability Release Form (prepared by ESPN STAR Sports releasing, wherever permitted by law, the Specified Companies, their parent companies, affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents from responsibility or liability for claims in respect of their prize) to be properly and fully completed by the winner and travelling companion(s) (if applicable). Completed Liability Release Forms for the winner and all travelling companion(s) (if applicable) must be returned to ESPN STAR Sports in accordance with the notified instructions to arrive at the specified address by no later than 14 days after the date ESPN STAR Sports emails or posts the Liability Release Form. Failure to comply in any respect with this requirement will result in the relevant prize being withheld and the winner’s entry for the Game becoming void, whereupon ESPN STAR Sports may at its sole and absolute discretion reallocate the prize to the next valid winning entry for the Game.

8.12 In the event that the prize winner of a Competition is below 21 years of age, he/she must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian. In addition, such parent or legal guardian will be required to complete and return a Liability Release Form as indicated above

8.13 All taxes, insurances, transfers, spending money and other expenses (including meals or personal expenses, upgrades etc.) as the case may be, unless specifically stated, are the sole responsibility of the prize winner.

8.14 Where relevant the winner and all accompanying travelers must travel together at all times. For avoidance of doubt, they must all travel on the same outbound and inbound flights or other relevant mode of transportation.

9. Limits on liability

9.1 The Company agrees to use its reasonable endeavours to maintain the Site in a fully operating condition and error free. As the Company cannot guarantee that the Site will always be fully operational or error free it does not accept responsibility for any defects that may exist or for any costs or losses arising from your use of or inability to access the Site.

9.2 Whilst the Company takes reasonable precautions to ensure that any downloads it makes available will be virus free neither ESPN STAR Sports nor the Company warrants that any downloads will be virus free and will not cause interruptions with your computer systems.

9.3 Each of ESPN STAR Sports and the Company excludes, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, and save in respect of death or personal injury arising from negligence, all liability for any claims, losses, demands and damages arising directly or indirectly out of or in any way connected with the use of the Site or their unavailability. This exclusion shall apply in respect of, without limitation, any interruption of services, lost profits, loss of contracts or business opportunity, loss of data, or any other consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages arising out of the Sites, even if the Company or ESPN STAR Sports has been advised of the possibility of such damages, whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), under statute or otherwise.

9.4 To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ESPN STAR Sports shall not be liable for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any entrant entering the Game or as a result of acceptance or use of any prize. ESPN STAR Sports is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software failure of any email or entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, telephone lines or at any web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile telephone related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in the Game.

9.5 By entering, participants agree that no claim relating to such losses or injuries (including special, indirect and consequential losses) shall be asserted against the Specified Companies, their parent companies, affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents for any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind resulting from acceptance or use of any prize.

9.6 ESPN STAR Sports and the Company do not accept any liability if matches the Game is based on are cancelled or postponed due to reasons outside our control.

10. System Abuse:

If ESPN STAR Sports or the Company find, or suspect, that you have: engaged in or attempted to engage in ‘spamming’ (the unsolicited emailing for business or other purposes), sent or attempted to send, created or attempted to create, or replied or attempted to reply to so-called ‘mail bombs’ (the sending of multiple or large electronic files or messages with malicious intent or the e-mailing of copies of a single message to many users), or hacked or attempted to hack into any systems or servers run by ESPN STAR Sports or the Company or undertaken any other activity which may adversely affect either the operation of the Site or another person’s enjoyment of the Site, ESPN STAR Sports and/or the Company will immediately remove you from the system and your subscription will be cancelled. Each of ESPN STAR Sports and the Company reserves the right to report the matter to the relevant authorities.

11. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and keep indemnified ESPN STAR Sports, the Company and their officers, directors, employees, agents, distributors and affiliates from and against any and all claims loss damage or liability (whether criminal or civil) suffered and fees and costs incurred, including reasonable legal fees, resulting from any act neglect or default or breach by you or any person who may be authorized by you or for whom you are responsible (for example as employer) of any of these Terms and Conditions and/or from your placement or transmission of any content onto ESPN STAR Sports’ or the Company’s servers, and/or from any and all use of your account.

12. Data Protection and Publicity

12.1 By entering the Game, entrants agree that should they win the Game, ESPN STAR Sports may use their names and addresses, photographs and audio and/or visual recordings of them in any publicity or promotional material as ESPN STAR Sports may in its sole and absolute discretion decide.

12.2 Unless otherwise indicated, any information provided to ESPN STAR Sports shall be subject to ESPN STAR Sports’ Privacy Policy (found on the ESPN STAR Sports website at

http://www.espnstar.com

).

12.4 By registering to play the Game you are accepting to receive email updates. ESPN STAR Sports and the Company reserves the right to validate email addresses at any time and the right to remove or suspend from the Game, any teams found to have an invalid email address.

13 Governing Law

13.1 This Competition and the Terms and Conditions shall be governed in all respects by the laws of Singapore and you irrevocable submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts in Singapore.

13.2 Each entrant is fully responsible for ensuring that his/her participation in the Competition is lawful in accordance with the laws of the country of which he or she is a citizen and/or resides, and/or happens to be at the time that the application is made. None of the Specified Companies, their servants or agents make any representations, express or implied, as to the lawfulness of the Competition or any entrant’s participation in a Competition.

13.3 Any provision in these Terms and Conditions that is prohibited or otherwise unenforceable in any jurisdiction is ineffective as to that jurisdiction to the extent of the prohibition or unenforceability. That does not invalidate the remaining provisions in these Terms and Conditions nor affect the validity or enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction.

14. The use of the term Premiership Football, EPL, English Premier League, The Premiership or any reference to official Premier League players or clubs, or reference on the Site and within the Game is purely to describe the nature of the content and Game being provided in this Site. No official or commercial association with the EPL, The Football Association, or the Premier League organizing committee is implied or intended.