How many trophies you need comes down to one short sum, and a few people who are easy to forget. Get the number right and your budget, your discount band and your stock check all fall into place. This guide gives you the sum, five worked examples and a useful trick for when you are close to a discount band.
The basic sum
Work it out like this, for each team or section:
- Count the players who get a squad trophy.
- Add one for each individual award.
- Add any awards for the people behind the team.
- Add team awards, such as a league winners' set.
Then add up every team. That is your total, and it is the number that decides your discount.
People who are easy to forget
- Players who joined late, or moved on during the season. Decide your rule before the list goes out.
- Players who were injured for most of the year. They are still part of the squad.
- Managers, coaches and assistant coaches.
- Your linesman, physio or kit person.
- Regular helpers such as the club treasurer or the fixtures secretary.
- A second trophy for any joint winners.
It is well worth asking each manager to confirm their list in writing. A child missing from the table on presentation night is the one mistake nobody forgets.
Five worked examples
An under-9s team
A squad of 12, all with the same trophy, plus one for the coach and one for the Parents' Player. That is 14 trophies, in the 5% band.
An adult Sunday team
A squad of 18, with 7 individual awards and a thank-you for the manager, comes to 26 trophies, in the 7% band.
A junior football club
Ten teams of 14 players makes 140. Add three individual awards per team and 4 club awards, and you have 174. That sits in the 12% band.
A darts league
Two divisions with team sets for 8 winners and 8 runners-up need 32 trophies. Singles and pairs prizes, plus a highest checkout and a most 180s for each division, take you to 48. Our guide to darts and pool league trophies goes into more detail.
A primary school sports day
Seven year groups with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for boys and for girls come to 42 awards. Add one house cup and you have 43, in the 7% band. The school sports day guide has other ways to set that up.
Discount bands at a glance
| Your total | Discount |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | None |
| 5 to 9 | 2% |
| 10 to 14 | 5% |
| 15 to 24 | 6% |
| 25 to 49 | 7% |
| 50 to 99 | 10% |
| 100 or more | 12% |
The discount comes off automatically in the basket, and every trophy in the order counts, so mixed designs and heights all add to one total. There is no minimum order. One trophy is fine, and it costs the same to engrave as the 100th.
The trick when you are near a band
Because the discount applies to the whole order, one extra trophy can cost very little. Sometimes it even saves you money. Here are some examples at £7.50 a trophy:
- 14 trophies: £105, less 5% is £99.75.
- 15 trophies: £112.50, less 6% is £105.75. One more trophy for £6.
- 49 trophies: £367.50, less 7% is £341.78.
- 50 trophies: £375, less 10% is £337.50. That is one more trophy and £4.28 less to pay.
- 99 trophies: £742.50, less 10% is £668.25.
- 100 trophies: £750, less 12% is £660. Again, a saving.
If you are on 48 or 49, or 98 or 99, it is always worth adding to reach the next band. Give the extra ones to helpers, or use them as a thank-you to a sponsor.
Should you order spares?
Names are the problem with spares, as a plate with a name on it is no use to anyone else. If you expect late joiners, order one or two with the team name and season only. They will still work for a new player, and you can keep them for next year if you drop the season.
Checking stock against your number
Stock levels are live. Each product page shows how many of each size we can send, updated through the day, and a size we cannot send cannot be ordered. If you need 40 of one height, check the figure before you commit to that design. Have a second choice ready. For a large order, you could split your squad trophies across two sizes or use two designs. Mixed designs still count together.
Working out your budget
Once you have your total, try this simple way to set a budget:
- Divide your total budget by your number of trophies to get an average spend.
- Set your squad trophy a little below that average.
- Use the difference to pay for your top awards.
For example, £300 across 30 trophies is £10 each. Use a £7.50 squad trophy for 25 players, and you have £112.50 left for 5 individual awards, or £22.50 each, before the 7% discount comes off. That is enough for a tall Player of the Year trophy and some good boots. A tight budget should begin at trophies under £10, and a larger club can start with football trophies or trophy cups.
If you get stuck with a big order, our clubs and leagues page has more on planning a season, and you can call us on 0121 667 0310.