Striker selection and scoring

1. Each player must have two strikers at all times
2. Strikers will score one point per goal
3. Double points will be scored for each hat trick - but only for the goals that make up the hat trick. If a player scores four goals, for example, he scores 6 points for the hat trick goals and a further one point for the fourth goal.
4. Selection of the strikers must take place before the start of the season
5. Selection of the first striker will be by ballot - the first out the hat will have first pick and so on. The order will then be reversed for selection of the second striker.
6. Strikers can only be selected by one participant - e.g. Michael Owen can not be selected by two different participants
7. Strikers are given a value at the beginning of the season ranging from one to ten inline with their perceived strengths. These values will not change after the start of the season
8. When strikers are chosen, the value of the player will be deducted from the participant's score. Therefore, if a player chooses two players with a value of ten each they will start the season on minus twenty points.
9. No transfer of strikers can take place until the participant has a positive points score.
10. Strikers can be swapped but the difference in value will be deducted or added to a participant's score
11. Participants are free to swap strikers with other participants by negotiation. A participant can add or devalue up to 5 points on the value of their striker.
    
12. Points will be added and deducted from a participant's score total as a result of transfers
13. All transfers between two participants must be made public on the website to allow counter offers
14. Other transfers must also be publicised but take place on a first come first service basis
15. Transfers take 5 days from the moment of them first becoming public to take effect. If a counter offer is made the transfer will still place within the 5 day period.
    
16. Transfers will not be allowed within seven weeks before the end of the season see rule amendment below
    
17. There are two exceptions to rule 15. Firstly, all outstanding transfer will be completed at the 7 week transfer deadline, regardless of whether 5 days have elapsed.
18. Secondly, if a player is sold to a club outside the Premier League, you are forced in to a transfer which will take place with immediate effect. This is only likely to occur before the transfer window closes on 31st August. See rule amendment below
    
19. Once an offer has been excepted and made public, participants are tied to the deal. If either party backs out they will deducted a point. The only exception being, the seller can sell to a higher bidder if her receives such an offer.
    
20. Points for goals scored are doubled during the last five weeks. Therefore, each goal is worth two points and a hat trick is worth 12 points. See rule amendment below
    

Amendment 1 - The last day that transfers can go through is 9th November 2007. If a player is transferred to a foreign club after this date, a contestant has to replace him with a player of equal or lower value. However, the handicap score will remain as it was even if you pick a player of lower value. The transfer will take immediate effect. If a player is injured after this date, the contestant may replace him with a player of equal or lower value. However, the handicap score will remain as it was even if you pick a player of lower value. The transfer is temporary and will automatically be swapped back once the player recovers from injury. If they are injured for the duration of the season, then the replacement player becomes permanent. It is up to the contestant to identify when their player is injured and needs transferring and also when they are back from injury. During the period after the 9th November and until the end of the game, all striker points are doubled. (Mon 1st October 2007)