Football Predictions – 1992 - ??? A Brief History

The idea was brought about after a discussion with a football mad Scotsman, called Alistair, around 1991. The idea was to predict the outcome of a set of football matches during a Championship or Season.

It was first put to the test during Euro 92. Twenty local football enthusiasts, in Amlwch, were asked to predict the Group Stage results in the 1992 European Championships. Points were scored for predicting the correct result, score and eventual winners. All the entrants paid a pound and the first winner was Alan Malone (Algi) who took all the Money.

The same was done for World Cup 94 in the U.S.A., where 52 people entered. Prize money here was increased to £50 and £50 was also donated to the local football club at Amlwch. The format was then expanded for the English Football League during 95 / 96 Season with points for Final League Positions, F.A.Cup Winners and various questions such as 1 st Manager to be sacked, Premier League Top Scorer etc etc.

The Prediction sheet was modified during the first few seasons, after feed-back from people participating, but the format was the same with approximately 50 – 60 people in the local area taking part and prize money always £100 for first, £50 for second and £25 for third. The rest of the entrance money was donated to Amlwch Football Club (usually around £100). This changed from season 1998 / 99 where any money made was given to Amlwch Junior Football Club. This continues today.

The Domestic Season Prediction Sheet now costs £5 to enter and usually attracts 50-60 people, where as a World Cup or European Championship Sheet can attract up to 80 – 90 people. When as many as this participate the Junior Club can receive as much as £250.

The idea to modernise the Predictions onto the internet has been thought about for the last few years. The first one of these will hopefully be carried out during the World Cup 2006. The Internet Sheets and the normal Paper Sheets will be tried simultaneously during this World Cup to gauge peoples reactions and discover how many entrees will be received. Hopefully the Internet Predictions will earn the Juniors a bit more money. Watch this space