Football, football, football (continued)...

A (spoofed) explanation of "Fergietime" (fer-gee time).

A standard adult football match consists of two periods of 45 minutes each, known as halves. Each half runs continuously, meaning that the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play. There is usually a 15-minute half-time break between halves. The end of the match is known as full-time.

The referee is the official timekeeper for the match, and may make an allowance for time lost through substitutions, injured players requiring attention, or other stoppages. This added time is commonly referred to as stoppage time or injury time, and is at the sole discretion of the referee. In matches where a fourth official is appointed, toward the end of the half the referee signals how many minutes of stoppage time he intends to add. The fourth official then informs the players and spectators by holding up a board showing this number.

However at Old Trafford, in Greater Manchester, England, the signalled stoppage time can be further extended by the referee. This extension is more commonly known as "Fergietime". During "Fergietime", the referee allows added time until the home side (Manchester United) scores the equalising or winning goal.

An example of "Fergietime" is Michael Owen's winner against Manchester City in today's derby game - Owen scored almost into the sixth minute of the added four minutes stoppage time.
Man Utd 4 - 3 Man City

Memo to Mark Hughes: money can't buy you "Fergietime"....