London Old Boys Cup Results via SMS Text Message

How it Works

From the start of the 2009-10 season the scores of all London Old Boys Cup Games must be reported via SMS Text Message (important note: clubs are reminded that Senior Cup games must also be telephoned to Trevor and Vivien Syms by 5.30pm for Press Reporting). We will no longer be providing a voicemail service for people to report scores, as this new system enables us to reduce the workload on our volunteers.

Note that the SMS system is for AFC and LOB games only - other cup results have to be reported via other methods.

The system we are using is provided by the Football Association, as part of their "Full-Time" league administration package. When results are reported, these will appear automatically on the league website, and will automatically update the league tables.

For each team, two mobile numbers can be registered. Initially we'll register the numbers of the Club Secretary and Fixture Secretary (or one of your other officers) but if you want these changing to other people (for example the team captain/manager), we can do so – just email sms@amateurfootballcombination.com with names and mobile numbers of the two people you want to register for a particular team. Please make sure you send us the update at least 48 hours before games kick off to give us time to process them.

During each game, the FA system will send an SMS Text Message to each registered mobile number, reminding you to send in the result of the game. After the game, both home and away clubs should report the score by replying to their message using the word RESULT (followed by a space) and giving the score for the game, home team first, away team second, and separated by a hyphen.

For example:-

FULL-TIME @TheFA CHE1 v MNU1 K.O. SUN 21 SEP 2008 14:00. Submit your result after the match as: RESULT H-A

For example to report a 2-1 win to the home side (Chelsea 1sts!) you would simply reply:

The only exception is if you are registered to send in results for more than one team, in which case Full-Time will send you a team code, which you need to include after the result so the system can identify which team is being reported. In the above example the text you would receive would say:-

FULL-TIME @TheFA CHE1 v MNU1 K.O. SUN 21 SEP 2008 14:00. Submit your result after the match as: RESULT H-A CHE1

(note the CHE1 team code at the end) and the reply would be:-

The system is that simple, but it is important to note you should not add other information, that the text must begin with the word RESULT or Full-Time will ignore it and must be sent from one of the registered mobiles (as the system identifies you by the mobile number).

The system will even allow you to report postponements (RESULT P-P) and abandonments (RESULT A-A), though remember you'll also need to report these to other league officers.

Results should be sent by 6pm (10pm for midweek games).

Hints and Tips

Inevitably there will be teething troubles, so please bear in mind the following:-

Your message must start with the word RESULT – otherwise the message won’t reach Full-Time.

If you're registered for more than one team, include the team code (Full-Time tells you if any code is required).

Make sure you give the correct team code (if one is required) after the scores.

Make sure you give the home score first, away score second.

SMS Results are for AFC and LOB games only, not other cup games.

Tell us if you change your mobile number!

Tell us if you swap the home and away teams.

Tell us if a fixture is incorrect on Full-Time (the full list should be correct by Thursday before games are played).

If you want to check the score has been logged, simply check the internet or the mobile internet. Scores register within seconds.

It is essential to make sure you get the format right - the system is automated, so it's a computer taking the text and registering it. If you get it wrong, it won't understand it, but so long as it's right, it'll work perfectly.

Full Time on WAP

This system not only ensures that the league tables on the website are updated immediately, but also that results and tables can be viewed using a WAP enabled phone immediately (at:- www.theFA.com/FULL-TIME/WAP).