Martin, England

How do I become a referee?

I suggest you write to the Referees' Department of the Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London, W1D 4FA, and they will put you in touch with your County F.A.
Youngsters have to be over 14 to take the ref's exam. The referee is the most important man on the field, without him you haven't got a game. Good luck.

Chris Jenkins, England

If two players score a hat-trick in the same game, who gets the match ball?

Nobody gets the ball automatically, it belongs to the home club. They will usually pass it on to the referee to hand over, and the hat-tricksters can sort it out themselves, maybe toss up for it. Quite often, in first-class games, two balls are used, and there isn't a problem.

Damian, Derby

In English football, how many players before Arsenal's David Seaman reached 1000 appearances for club and country?

Seaman is the fifth player, and fourth goalkeeper, in the list: Peter Shilton (1387 apps), Ray Clemence (1119), Pat Jennings (1098) and Tony Ford (1072).

Claire, Brighton

Is it true that there is a church on the corner (inside the ground) at one Premiership club?

Yes, at Goodison Park, the home of Everton. The church was already there when the ground was built in 1892. And, by the way, Griffin Park, home of Brentford, is the only ground with a pub at all four corners (outside).

Jack, Edgware

How real is the prospect of a play-off to decide the Championship if Arsenal and Manchester United finish dead level?

Premier League rule B29 makes provision for a play-off on a neutral ground if clubs finish level on points and goal difference and have both scored the same number of goals. The bookies offer 250-1 against it happening next month, a mug's bet if ever there was one.

Ian, Wolverhampton

What is reckoned to be the cost to a club that is relegated from the Premiership?

I'll let Bolton chairman Phil Gartside supply the answer. He says: "It's horrendous. TV income in the Premiership is worth between �16m and �20m to a club, but in the Nationwide League it's just �1m. Four or five years ago the swing in income between Premiership and the First Division was about �4m. Now look at it."

Dave Atherton, England

Which player or players have won the most FA Cup winner's medals?

Three players achieved the distinction each with five winner's medals back in the late 1880s: The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird (The Wanderers and Old Etonians); Charles Wollaston (The Wanderers) and Jimmy Forrest (Blackburn Rovers). Since when, the closest has been Mark Hughes with four winner's medals, three with Manchester United and one with Chelsea.

Joe McKeown, England

When were half-way line flags discontinued and why??

These flags were never compulsory, only optional, and they have certainly gone out of vogue in modern times. Unlike corner flags, which are actually on the pitch, those at half-way were placed a yard or so outside the playing area. One reason they disappeared at senior grounds is that they got in the way of TV cameras.

Anna Theresa, England

Is it true that Preston North End were once known as the Invincibles?

Yes, that title was Preston's from 1889 when, in the Football League's first season, they won the Championship without losing a match and the FA Cup without conceding a goal. The "Invincibles" tag was dropped after they were relegated in 1901.

Paul, London

Who did Carlton Palmer score his only International goal against?

Carlton won 18 England caps (1992-94) when with Sheffield Wednesday. He scored in a 6-0 win against San Marino in a World Cup qualifying match at Wembley in February 1993.