What’s is it all about in the end with kids’ football?

For us, this is what it’s about…

Last week we had a reunion for a team that Nick and I played for in our 20’s.

You know what’s interesting – we barley spoke about any particular matches, trophies, scores or anything to do with the actual football side.

We spoke A LOT more about the laughs we had before, during and after the games.

The banter on the team nights out and funny stories from the changing rooms.

We played football well into adulthood and would do now if it wasn’t for dodgy knees and lack of time.

As kids we had a good time playing football and that meant we wanted to continue playing.

We spoke about how football became a release for us.

For 90 mins you couldn’t think about work, life problems or anything else. It was ace!

We didn’t really think about it at the time but it probably really helped a lot of us on the mental-side, as well keeping us physically active…two things that are so important in everyday life.

This is precisely why we call out all the nonsense in junior football:

The unnecessary pressure

Labelling kids ‘elite’ at young ages

The coaches who take all the fun out of it by focusing on winning over development

Parents screaming from the side-lines like they’re watching England in a World Cup final

The people who think football is all about getting into an academy

Next time you’re at a game, whether as a parent or coach, remember what it’s all about in the end…

Making sure they all have a great time and want to keep playing football for as long as they can.

It’ll help them in so many ways.

Hopefully they’ll be able to meet up with their mates in years to come and have as much of a laugh as we did.

…and hopefully their hair won’t go as grey in their mid-30’s as some of us