Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did you start Armitage FA?
2. Who is in charge of Armitage FA?
3. What’s the difference between Armitage FA and other leagues in Chicago?
4. What kind of experience and skill level do the league’s players have?
5. What is the average age of players?
6. What are the substitution rules in the outdoor co-ed leagues?
7. What is futsal?
8. Why is ISSA affiliation important in the men’s league?
9. How can players register with Armitage FA?
1. Why did you start Armitage FA?
There are many leagues in Chicago, all offering different levels of play. We knew several men’s and co-ed teams looking for a league that offered more than they were getting at the time. We wanted to organize a men’s league that could compete with the best leagues in Illinois. At the same time, we wanted to offer a co-ed league that was better than a recreational league. In March 2003, Armitage FA was born.
2. Who is in charge of Armitage FA?
Three businessmen experienced in all levels of amateur soccer—from major college to small college, and from high-level club soccer to recreational league soccer combined their playing experience with their business skills to start Armitage FA.
3. What’s the difference between Armitage FA and other leagues in Chicago?
We offer a more organized game of soccer than the other leagues. We were founded in March 2003 with an idea, zero teams, and zero fields. Three short months later, we had 32 teams (several more on a waiting list), and 6 fields. Today, all of our leagues play on field turf pitches.
Our outdoor men’s leagues compete in spring, summer, and fall leagues. Our players are more committed than in other city-based leagues. The men’s league is affiliated with the Illinois State Soccer Association (ISSA). This affiliation gives our teams the opportunity to enter tournaments offered by other leagues. Player passes are used to ensure roster integrity. See the men’s regulations for more details.
Our outdoor co-ed leagues compete in spring, summer, and fall leagues as well. Again, higher commitment means higher quality in the long run. While the co-ed leagues are not ISSA-affiliated, rules for rosters and the use of subs are strictly enforced. We also use a promotion/relegation system in our two Sunday leagues from session-to-session because we want our teams to stay with Armitage FA. We offer Monday and Wednesday co-ed leagues on field turf pitches with surround lighting also. See the co-ed regulations for more details.
In 2006, we started the first city-based outdoor women's league. This league is played Monday evenings on field turf pitches. See the women's regulations for more details.
4. What kind of experience and skill level do the league’s players have?
Most players in the men’s league have college or club experience. Our co-ed leagues also include players with college or club play on their resumes, as well as players with high school experience and a few new to the game. The women's league includes many college and club players as well.
5. What is the average age of players?
Players range in age from early 20s to early 40s. Most players in all leagues are in their late 20s.
6. What are the substitution rules in the outdoor co-ed leagues?
If you know you’ll be short on a given week, you can:
 Use a player from our subs list.
Ask a player from an Armitage FA team in the opposite division of your own team. (These players can sub for a given team a maximum of two times.)
Bring a friend not on an Armitage FA team.
If you use a player from another Armitage FA team, you cannot ask that player to play with you at the field after he or she finishes a game and yours is about to start. If the captain from the opposing team challenges that sub, our referees will not allow that player to play.
We want to avoid the substitution patterns prevalent in recreational leagues, and no one wants to lose to a team dominated by “ringers.”
Furthermore:
You can use a maximum of three subs per game.
You cannot ask a player from an Armitage FA team in your own division to sub for you.
See the co-ed regulations for further details.
7. What is futsal?
Futsal is the brand of indoor soccer the rest of the world plays. Armitage FA has played a 4 v 4 format on an 80' x 50' field turf pitch with boards surrounding the field.
Regulation futsal, according to FIFA, plays 4 v 4 plus keepers and has side and end lines rather than boards. Armitage FA will begin playing this brand of futsal in November 2006, but as 5 v 5 plus keepers.
See the men's and co-ed regulations for more futsal rules.
8. Why is ISSA affiliation important in the men’s league?
ISSA affiliation means Armitage FA and its teams have the most respected governing body in the state on our side. The affiliation requires that player passes be used to ensure roster integrity. It also gives our teams the opportunity to enter tournaments offered by other leagues and brings justice down on players who consistently or egregiously break the rules.
9. How can players register with Armitage FA?
You can register right here and right now.
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