But the players of Torquay United will have to manage without after the club banned shots on goal during pre-match warm-ups.

Officials are worried about facing legal action from supporters injured by any wayward shots. The club has already compensated one female fan whose spectacles were broken by a flying ball.

Torquay plan to cordon off both goals until kick-off for future games at their Plainmoor stadium and warning notices will be displayed in the dressing rooms.

Club chairman Mervyn Benney took the action after hearing about Charlotte Morris, who has been granted legal aid to sue First Division Huddersfiled Town after her arm was broken in two places by an off-target shot four years ago.

He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "There would not be a problem if the players scored every time. We are talking about the ones that go past the post.

"The trouble is that when people first come in they are talking to eaxch other and not watching the pitch so they are not expecting the ball to whack them."

Torquay have managed 16 points from 16 games so far this season and currently lie 21st in the Third Division table, but Benney believes they may not be the last club to introduce a ban.