The FA, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Health and Safety Executive and the British Standards Institute, have issued the following guidelines which Darwen Girls & Ladies have adopted.

Too many serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years because of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts. Safety is always of paramount importance and everyone must play their part to make football safe.

1. For safety reasons goalposts of any size (including portable) must always be securely anchored to the ground.
 Portable goalposts must be secured as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
 Under no circumstances should children or adults be permitted to climb on, swing or play with the structure of the goalposts.
 Attention is drawn to the fact that if not correctly assembled and secured portable goalposts may overturn.
 Regular inspections of goalposts must be carried out to check that they are properly maintained.

2. Portable goalposts should not be left in place after use. They should be dismantled and placed in a secure storage area.

3. The use of metal cup hooks on goals was banned from the start of the 2007/2008 season. Nets should only be secured by the use of plastic hooks or tape.

4. Goalposts which are homemade or have been altered from their original size or construction should not be used.

5. There is no BS/CEN standard for wooden goalposts and it is unlikely that such goalposts would fail a load stability test. The FA therefore recommends that such goalposts are replaced with compliant metal, aluminum or plastic goalposts when necessary. Darwen Girls & ladies have adopted this and only buy compliant goalposts, that have a BSEN 748 (1998) or BS 8462 (2005) stamp of approval.