Alex, Kent

Is there a specific distance between where the ball goes out of play and the place where the actual throw-in is taken? I've seen some throw-ins taken yards from where the ball went out.

There is nothing laid out in the Laws of the Game about this. It is usually accepted that the ball should be thrown in within two yards of where it went out of play.

Neil, UK

Have Swindon Town ever played in the Premier League? I say they did and finished with the lowest points yet. My girlfriend says I'm wrong.

Swindon beat Leicester City 4-3 in a pay-off final at Wembley to enter the Premier League in 1993. They stayed only the one season, finishing bottom with 30 points and 100 goals in their net.

The Premiership's lowest points total was 24 by Watford in season 1999-2000, a record now lowered by Sunderland.

Tony, England

Who has played the most League matches for one club? Terry Paine, of Southampton, must be up there somewhere.

You're spot on, Tony. Winger Terry Paine heads that list with 713 League appearances for Saints (160 goals) from 1957-73. Then he played another 111 for Hereford United to give him a career total of 824 League games.

Sue, Birmingham

Can you tell me who will be presenting the FA Cup at the Millennium Stadium on May 17?

A real football person will be doing the honours this year - Sir Bobby Robson. The teams will be presented to him before the match, and he will do the 'presenting' (of Cup and medals) at the finish.

Frank, Chester

When will the transfer window open again, so that clubs can buy and sell players for the new season?

The date that will see the transfer market spring into life again is June 1, after all this season's club fixtures have been completed. The 'window' stays open until August 31 and re-opens from January 1 - 31.

Mike, England

What date is set for next year's FA Cup Final?

The 2004 FA Cup Final will be played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 22. That's three weeks before the start of the 2004 European Championship Finals in Portugal (June 12).

Dave Smith, England

As we are into the annual spate of cup finals etc at the Millennium Stadium, can you tell me what happens if the ball hits the roof if it is closed because of adverse weather conditions?

It hasn't happened yet, I'm told, and there's nothing in the rules about it. But there's always a first time for most things.

I understand the referee would decide "play on", unless the ball changed direction sharply after striking the roof, in which case a "dropped ball" would be given directly beneath the point of contact with the roof.

James, UK

I see footballers shouting and swearing at referees in almost every game. Does the ref have the right to send a player off fir this? He never does.

It depends what is being shouted. Dissent is a yellow-card offence. Foul language to the referee is a red-card offence - instantly. Or should be.

Wycliff Bangurana, Uganda

Which teams have defeated Everton at their home ground this season, because I fear for my team, Manchester United, losing there on Sunday?

Chelsea and Liverpool are the sides who have taken three points at Goodison Park in 2002-03. With the Premiership title wrapped up, Sir Alex Ferguson won't lose much sleep if Everton win this one. United are unbeaten in their last seven Premiership visits to Goodison (six wins, one draw).

Oops, Albert!

Re: Ed Balch's recent question: My thanks to all those who have been in touch (including Stacey Smith, Christopher Ford, James Bentley and Chris J Martin) pointing out that Peter Schmeichel scored for Manchester United in the Uefa Cup first round, second leg (2-2) at home to Rotor Volgograd, of Russia, in season 1995-96. I'm off for a lie-down in a quiet room until next time!