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The long wait is over. Even with a summer stuffed with Wimbledon, the Ashes and the Lions tour of New Zealand, one crucial ingredient has been missing. Football! Saturday afternoons have just not been the same.

Salvation is here. We’re just a couple of weeks away from the start of a fantastic new season. To celebrate, Glass Age has teamed up with Pilkington ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Products – UK to launch the Pilkington 2005/06 Fantasy Football competition. Totally free to play it’s an exclusive and fun competition for those who work in the glass and window industry.

Monthly prizes

Throw the gauntlet down to your colleagues, customers and suppliers, challenge your rivals, set up your own leagues and take part in this absorbing, engaging and thoroughly addictive game.

With some amazing prizes up for grabs, the quest for glory is bound to be tough. The triumphant manager who has accumulated the most points over the course of the season will win a trip for two to any sporting event of their choice*, whether it’s a massive football game, cricket series, golfing tournament, Wimbledon or crucial rugby match. The winner will be treated to a corporate hospitality package courtesy of Pilkington, enabling them to enjoy the occasion in style.

There are also eight monthly prizes on offer so there is something to aim for throughout the course of the season. The successful contestant who has been canny enough to amass the most points during a month will win Marriott Hotel vouchers to the value of £300**. Relax in luxury with a trip to the country, head to the city for an action-packed weekend, or maybe treat your partner to a London theatre break.

Easy to play

Playing the game couldn’t be easier. With a pot of money to spend, take on the role of a Premiership manager. Can you handle the pressure and make ruthless decisions? Simply create a team from actual Premiership players. The performance of these players in real games will dictate how many points you amass over the month and ultimately the season, from the goals they score to the goals they let in.

Do you fancy Henry for £22 million when Shearer’s a snip at £17.5 million? Who offers the best value, Lampard at £13 million or Gerrard at £12 million? Cole seems tempting at £7million, whereas Cech might be out of your league at £11 million.

Challenge your friends

So, do you possess the acumen of Arsene or the fight of Fergie? Are you as mighty as Mourinho or bright like Benitez? Is the traditional 4-4-2 more to your style or do you prefer Sven’s diamond formation? Is a creaky defence the price to pay for the goal machine prowess of Henry and Rooney? There are so many options to consider, interest across the season is sure to reach fever pitch.

Open to all in the glass and glazing trade, this is a great opportunity to pit your tactical wits against colleagues within the industry. Not only can you take part in the main competition, but you can take it to a personal level by setting up your own mini-league and inviting your network of customers or suppliers to play. Pick your team wisely and have bragging rights on Monday morning.

The road to Premiership glory will be fraught with triumphs and pitfalls. It’s free to play and really easy to follow. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and prove your managerial worth. Alternatively telephone the Pilkington fantasy football hotline on 01744 692000 for more details.

How it works

The triumphant manager who has accumulated the most points over the course of the season will win a trip for two to any sporting event of their choice*

Based on the actual performance of players in the forthcoming Premiership season, your team can accrue points if your players score goals, provide goal assists or keep a clean sheet. Beware though, as it is just as easy to lose points if defenders and goalkeepers concede goals. It’s a titanic tactical battle that requires nerves of steel.

Each participant will be given a Chelsea-esque budget of £100 million on which to build a Championship conquering side. From that, contenders will buy one Premiership manager and 11 players. Take a pick from the good, the bad and the ugly of all the Premiership squads.

The formation of the team will determine tactics and budget. Choose wisely because once settled it cannot be changed. Managers will be able to pick as many players from one team as they like and are allowed a total of five transfers a month. If a goal-leaking defender or goal-shy striker is costing you points, ditch them for a player who might have hit a purple patch. So long as it’s within the budget of course.

It’s a game of risk, daring and skill.

How to register

It couldn’t be easier. Simply go to www.pilkington.com/ fantasyfootball and click on the icon to register your details. You will be given an outline of the rules, players and player costs and asked to pick a team.

The brain-busting bit now begins. £100 million sounds a lot but you will need to balance a formidable strike force with a stout defence.

Once the numbers add up and you are comfortable with your Premiership challenging squad, choose a team name, await 13th August for the start of the season and start earning points. From there it is up to you to keep track of your progress every week and don’t forget you can change up to five players every month!

Good luck and try not to let it take over your life!

Conditions

* The sporting event has to take place in the UK or Ireland in the calendar year 2006 and will be to a maximum value of £2,000 for two corporate hospitality packages. Tickets are on a best available basis. Includes travel and entry to the event and one night’s accommodation overnight for two if required.

** Hotel vouchers are available for any Marriott Hotel in the UK or Ireland. Prize does not include cost of travel to reach hotel destination.