Hi to you all,

Please find below all of the rules for the ‘run in’ as bidders.

Thanks to you all for your interest – you’ll also find quite a bit more info about how the matchday itself will go… but we are still working hard on making it the best day we can so more to come….

I was hoping to be able to tell you all who who the second manager was – but we are still waiting for confirmation – I’ll let you know next week.

This is the first time that I have organised anything like this and it is starting to dawn on me that there are going to be people who loose out….

You may wish to consider bidding for 45mins so that as many of you who have shown interest get a game as possible – but that’s just the part of me that likes to please everyone talking – obviously we want high bids – we’re greedy for the charity!!!

Thanks again for bidding – please read the following carefully – good luck to you all!

Fr Paul

Rules of the Match

Bidding

1. All bids must be received by email to frpaul@holynameandstthomasmore.org.uk up to deadline day of Friday April 25 2008. All bids must include full name, contact number and address and should clearly indicate the position and duration of the place being bid for.
2. Bidders who may not be in a position to make live bids close to the deadline may submit their highest ‘sealed’ bid in advance in complete confidence by email to frpaul@holynameandstthomasmore.org.uk. Should you be outbid, the organisers will then bid on your behalf in increments of £10 up to your limit. We will be unable to contact you if your limit is exceeded by another bidder.
3. A mobile telephone number will be sent via email to all potential bidders on Thursday April 24. Bidders will have the option to submit late bids (on April 25 only) via text message to this number or by email to frpaul@holynameandstthomasmore.org.uk.
4. Bidding closes at 12 noon on Friday April 25 2008. Any emails or text message bids received after 12 noon will not count. The organisers’ decision is final.
5. The highest bids for each position at 12 noon on Friday April 25 2008 will guarantee the bidder a place in one of the teams, subject to payment being received in full by Thursday May 1 2008.
6. All successful bidders will be notified by email (or text, if they have bid by text) on the afternoon of Friday April 25 2008. They must provide a postal address by return email. An invoice will be sent to them along with a form allowing them to Gift Aid their bid donation and further match details.
7. Payment in full must be made by cheque by Thursday May 1 2008. If payment is not received by this date, the position will be offered to the person who made the next highest bid for that position.
8. The match will take place on the pitch at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, on Monday May 12 with a 6pm kick-off.
9. Mark Proctor and AN Other will manage either team. Which team they manage will be decided by the toss of a coin 90 minutes before kick-off.
10. A further toss of the coin will decide which team is assigned home dressing room and which is assigned the away dressing room.

On the Day

Players will be allowed access to the Riverside Stadium dressing rooms and pitch from 60 minutes before kick-off.

Players and spectators may enter the stadium via the main reception. On arrival, players will be directed to their dressing room.

Players should report to their manager no later than 45 minutes before kick-off.

Kit will be ready on arrival. Kit will be the players’ to keep as a memento of the day. Players must provide their own boots and shinpads.

The referee will call the two teams into the tunnel approximately five minutes before kick-off.

The teams will then emerge from the tunnel onto the pitch, for the first half, to Boro’s Pigbag theme tune and, for the second half, to Boro’s former theme tune of The Power Game.

Both teams will be announced over the PA system and on the stadium’s electronic message/score boards. Official team sheets will also be given out in the dressing room prior to kick-off.

The managers reserve the right to organise the tactics, formations and positions of the team during the game as they see fit.

All players are reminded that this is a friendly match for charity – you are living the dream, not fighting the war! So please enjoy it and show respect to the referee and your opponents at all times.

A professional photographer will attend the match and photographs will be available to purchase at a later date.

Post-match showers will be available in both dressing rooms.

All players and spectators are invited to meet up post-match at The Knights Club, 3 Southfield Road, Middlesbrough,
where win, lose or draw we’ll all have chance to celebrate a great occasion.

We will also be able to announce how much money we’ve made for the Baghdad Children’s Cancer Hospital.

Spectators

Spectators will be allowed access for a minimum donation of £2, payable on arrival at the stadium.

Spectators will be allowed access to the seating areas of the Riverside Stadium’s West Stand from 60 minutes before kick-off.

Normal matchday regulations regarding spectators will apply.

All spectators must remain in the seating areas.

Under no circumstances will spectators be allowed access to the dressing rooms, pitch or tunnel area.