Definition
The modern game is all about the squad. The deeper your bench, the better chance you have of success, especially if you have a super sub. Substitutes are the players not selected in the starting 11. They can be brought on during the match to replace players, due to injuries, for tactical reasons, poor performance, or fitness concerns. In the Premier League there are 9 substitutes on the bench, 5 of which can be used during three substitution windows. The number of players on the bench increases to 12 for Champions League matches.
The first ever substitute in the English game was Keith Peacock of Charlton, who came on to replace the injured goalkeeper Mike Rose in a match against Bolton in August 1965. Before then, injured players would have to play on or leave the team with 10 men.
Have a different take?
Think there's another way to define Substitute? The Football Dictionary is built by the community — submit your own definition and let others vote on it.
Submit Your Definition