Cookie Policy

Last Updated: November 2026

Website: https://www.football-predictor.net

Data Controller: Football Predictor, 6 Castle Hill, Lancaster, LA1 1YP, United Kingdom

Contact: [email protected]

This Cookie Policy explains how Football Predictor ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies (such as local storage and session storage) on www.football-predictor.net.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect and process your personal data.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device, keep you logged into your account across page loads, store your competition selections, and gather statistical information about how the website is used.

Cookies can be:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted automatically when you close your web browser.
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain stored on your device until they expire or until you manually delete them.
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by Football Predictor.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external partners, such as analytics or authentication providers.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Authenticate your identity and keep you securely logged in as you navigate between gameweek fixtures and leaderboards.
• Protect your account against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks when submitting match predictions.
• Manage secure authentication handshakes when signing in via Google, Facebook, or Apple.
• Remember your cookie preferences.
• Analyze aggregate user traffic and website performance using Google Analytics (subject to your consent).

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

Under the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, cookies are classified into the following categories:

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Essential)

These cookies are technically required for the website to function. Without them, core platform operations—such as logging in, saving Last Man Standing picks, and securing forms—cannot work. These cookies do not require your prior consent and cannot be switched off in our preference center.

Cookie Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration
PHPSESSID	Football Predictor	Maintains your active user session, login state, and uncommitted form entries.	Session (closed upon browser exit)
fp_csrf_token	Football Predictor	Protects user accounts from Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks during prediction submissions.	Session
oauth_state	Football Predictor	Cryptographic token used to prevent replay and CSRF attacks during Google, Apple, or Facebook OAuth logins.	15–30 minutes
cookie_consent	Football Predictor	Stores your preferences regarding non-essential cookie consent.	12 months

B. Analytics & Performance Cookies (Non-Essential — Requires Consent)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with Football Predictor by collecting aggregated, anonymous data (such as page visit counts, loading times, and popular tournament pages). We use this information to fix bugs, optimize page loading speeds, and improve gameweek navigation.

We use Google Analytics 4. Google Analytics anonymizes your IP address and does not store personal identity records.

Cookie Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration
_ga	Google Analytics	Distinguishes unique website visitors for calculating site traffic and session metrics.	2 years
_ga_*	Google Analytics	Maintains session state and tracks user interactions across pages.	2 years

You can review Google's privacy and data protection terms at Google Privacy & Terms.

C. Functionality & Preference Cookies (Non-Essential)

These cookies allow the site to remember choices you make (such as your preferred league view, interface theme, or collapsed dashboard sidebars) to provide a tailored user experience.

Cookie Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration
fp_user_pref	Football Predictor	Stores local interface settings (e.g., table display mode, default league filter).	6 months

D. Referral & Sponsor Tracking Cookies (If Applicable)

If you click on an external link or club partner banner featured on our website, a referral cookie may be dropped by the partner's domain to track which competition brought you to their site. These cookies are managed by the respective third-party provider and typically expire within 30 to 90 days.

4. How to Manage and Control Cookies

You have full control over non-essential cookies placed on your device:

On Our Website

When you first visit Football Predictor, an interactive cookie consent banner allows you to accept or decline analytics and performance cookies. You can modify or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link located in the footer of any page.

In Your Web Browser

You can configure your browser to block, disable, or delete cookies. Note that blocking Strictly Necessary Cookies will break core site functionality (such as logging in or submitting LMS selections).

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Third-Party Cookies.
• Apple Safari: Preferences / Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data / Block All Cookies.
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data.
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and Site Permissions → Manage and Delete Cookies.

5. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our technology, data collection practices, or legal requirements under UK law. Any updates will be posted to this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

6. Contact Us

If you have questions regarding our use of cookies or technical identifiers, contact us at:

Football Predictor

6 Castle Hill

Lancaster, LA1 1YP

United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]