Player guide
You're in a WhatsApp group where MatchTime runs the admin. Everything you need to do, you do right in the chat. There's no app to install.
The one rule: tag it for anything but In or Out
MatchTime picks up IN and OUT on its own. For anything else (questions, teams, stats) start your message with @Match Time. Everything else in the group, like the jokes and the arguments about last week's penalty, it leaves alone. Tagged messages are answered straight away; plain In and Out messages are picked up within about 10 minutes (straight away in the last hour before kickoff).
1. Saying you're in
Type it the way you normally would:
INI'm inorcount me inI'll play
MatchTime reacts to your message with ✅when you're in the squad. If the squad is already full you get 🪑: you're on the bench (see below).
Maybe
Not sure yet? Say so (maybe, in if my back holds up). A maybe doesn't take a squad spot and gets no reaction. A day before kickoff MatchTime DMs you to ask whether you're in or out, unless you've already decided. Just reply IN or OUT.
Bringing a mate
my brother Dan is in toome and Steve both in
MatchTime reacts 👍 and posts the updated squad. If your mate isn't known yet, they're added and the organiser checks them later.
Adding names to the list
If your group likes copying the squad list and adding names at the bottom, that works too: forward MatchTime's latest list with the new names on the end and they're signed up.
2. Dropping out
Just say so:
OUTcan't make itnot playing tonight, work
Reaction: 👋. If there's a bench, the spot is offered to the bench straight away. If not, MatchTime asks the group for a replacement.
Replacements
Found someone in the group to take your place? Say it: I'm out, Sam is replacing me, or for someone else, Sam is replacing Joe. The replacement takes the leaving player's place in the squad. If the teams are already out, they step into that player's team as well, so nobody has to redo the teams.
Dropping someone else
The organiser and admins can drop someone who's told them they're out (Joe can't make it tonight). Anyone else needs to tag it: @Match Time Joe is out tonight.
3. The bench
When the squad is full, late Ins go on the bench 🪑 in the order they came in. When a confirmed player drops, MatchTime posts in the group, tags everyone on the bench and DMs them too. The first to claim the spot plays. Reply IN in the group, or YES to the DM.
If someone beat you to it, you stay on the bench and you're first in line for the next spot. Saying no, or not replying, never takes you off the bench.
4. Asking MatchTime questions
Tag it and ask. The answer is posted in the group:
@Match Time how many are we?@Match Time who's playing?@Match Time what time is kickoff?@Match Time top 5 rated players this season@Match Time who's played the most?@Match Time most Man of the Match awards all time
Stats questions work for "this season", "all time" or a period like "the last 3 months". Say @Match Time my stats and your own stats page link comes to you by DM.
5. Teams
Anyone can ask MatchTime to split the confirmed squad:
@Match Time generate the teams
It uses everyone's rating and preferred position to make two even sides, and posts both line-ups. You can also count someone in who already replied for this match: @Match Time generate the teams including Dan.
Want a change? @Match Time swap Dan with Leo swaps two players, and @Match Time swap the colours swaps the bibs. The organiser can also edit the teams from the dashboard.
6. Before the match
- Daily update at 17:00.The squad so far, and a call for players if you're short.
- Extra calls if you're short on match morning and in the last few hours before kickoff. Once the squad is full they stop.
- About 2 hours before kickoff (football): a reminder to bring goalie gloves, a ball and spare bibs.
7. After the match
Score
About an hour after the match ends, MatchTime asks for the score. Anyone who played can post it:
7-3we won 5-4
Ratings and Man of the Match
From 08:00 the next morning, everyone who played gets a personal link by DM. Tap it and you're signed in, no password. Rate the other players from 1 to 10 and pick your Man of the Match. It takes about a minute, and the link works for 5 days.
If you haven't rated yet you get a friendly nudge at 18:00 each day, for up to 5 days. It stops the moment you submit.
Man of the Match is announced in the group as soon as everyone has voted (between 09:00 and 21:00), or from day 5 at the latest.
Paying
If your organiser has switched on payments, you get a pay link by DM after the game. It shows the ways your club takes payment, which can be card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, pay by bank or paying the collector directly. If you haven't paid, you'll get a reminder.
8. Reactions quick reference
- ✅: you're in the squad
- 🪑: you're on the bench (squad was full)
- 👋: you've dropped out
- 👍: got it, for a message about someone else or a score
- ⚽: teams posted
- No reaction on a maybe: you'll get a DM before kickoff
A plain In or Out can take up to about 10 minutes to get its reaction. Don't send it again: it's already queued.
9. Your stats page and profile
Every rating and result builds into your own stats page: your rating over time, Man of the Match awards, games played, wins, form, who you play best with, your rivalries, badges, the squad leaderboard and the Team of the Season. Open it from any link MatchTime sends you, or sign in at matchtime.ai.
On your profile you can also:
- Set your preferred positions
- Add your phone number (so you get rating links by DM)
Too many DMs?
DM MatchTime stop to turn off everything except payment messages, or stop ratings to turn off just the rating links and reminders. Send start messages or start ratings to turn them back on.
10. Tips
- Say IN early. The squad fills in the order people commit, so first in means first on the pitch.
- One message is enough.No need to say "count me in" and then "IN".
- Use real words."I'll play" and "can't make it" both work.
- Nicknames are fine. MatchTime matches short names and nicknames to players it already knows.
- Rate when the link lands.It takes a minute and keeps next week's teams fair.