Diamond Icon Football
I took one of the new icon balls over to football training last night and the boys were almost fighting over who was going to have it. This ball not only looks the part, it also performs well. The ball is weighted just right and moves through the air as you would hope. We normally use the Mitre tactic for football training and the icon compares very well next to it. At just £5.50 it is a real bargain piece of football equipment. Next week I will be taking one for everyone though!

New Football Series on BBC 2: The Cup
BBC 2 kicked off a new series last night. The Cup is filmed in the style of a documentary, in  a similar fashion to The Office.
It follows the fortunes of an U11s football team and there over ambitious parents trying to relive their own youth through their children.
Excited parents screaming at young children, coaches and referees, there are certainly some familiar scenes in this first episode!
The plot revolved around a Bolton football team called Ashburn United. If they win the league they qualify for the North and Midlands cup final in Birmingham.
The main character Terry McConnell, a failed footballer for Bolton reserves leads us through the story. Terry dreams of his son Malky playing for Bolton and pulls out all the stops to get him a trial. Malky is less bothered and would prefer to be in the kitchen cooking his Mediterranean dishes.
There are some familiar scenes played out, which I am sure that we have all seen at our local youth football grounds on a Saturday.
Although mildly amusing I am sure that a real life documentary on this subject would be funnier.
Come on Louis Theroux get the film rolling.

We have a great range of football training equipment at The Soccer Store to get you in to shape for the new season. Amongst the range there are the ever popular slalom training poles. These are now available in three sizes, the one piece pole, the 2 piece poles and the set of 12 mini poles complete with bag. Our speed ladders are great value for money with the 4.5 meter speed ladder being just £11.95 and the full length ladder £19.95. Our speed hurdles also offer great value for money and are on offer from just £3.50 each. All orders are sent out on a next day courier service and for orders over £50 delivery is free of charge.

The 2008/2009 Soccer Store Catalogue is now availble featuring our full range of football equipment.
The catalogue lists all of the Samba football goals, a complete range of Mitre Footballs, Nets, Coaching and football training equipment, football first aid and our range of football bags.
To order your copy give us a call on 01606 835050.
Of course, all of the football equipment featured in the catalogue is available from our online store The Soccer Store as well as the latest football products and prices.
We can cater for football clubs of any size, schools and other clubs and of course individuals.

Customers often ask us at The Soccer Store, why spend the extra on the Samba Goal Posts. Here are 10 good reasons why you should:

1. Samba Goal Posts are strong, extremely strong. Customers often to say that they have bought other brands of goal posts and they have only lasted months. A Samba goal will last for years.
2. Samba football goals are weatherproof, they can be left out all year round, they won’t yellow or go brittle.
3. They are used by pro and amateur clubs around the country.
4. The Samba range complies to the relevant FA safety standards.
5. The Samba goal posts are available with the unique locking system ensuring that all of the pieces lock together securely.
6. They offer great value for money. When you compare the life of a Samba goal to others, over the long term you will save money buying a Samba goal.
7. Samba football goals are lightweight and portable. They fit in the boot of an average size family car.
8. They are quick and simple to erect. All of the pieces just slot together. The net clips on using the Samba quick clips provided.
9. They are fully guaranteed and should anything go wrong The Soccer Store are on hand to resolve any issues and are able to offer replacement parts.
10. The Samba Goal Posts are available in all sizes from 4 x 2ft  right up to 16 x 7ft

The Samba Goals are one of the best pieces of football equipment you will ever buy. Contact us now at The Soccer Store for more information.

Many of you have made requests for our football training bibs in XL sizes. Well, we are pleased to tell you that we now have these in stock. They are available in 2 colours, red and yellow and measure up at 50 inch chest (Remember to allow for undergarments when sizing). They are the same quality as our other training bibs and even retail at the same price of just £2.00 per bib.
The other addition to our football bibs range is that we now have the reversible bibs in youth and adult sizes. The colours are red/yellow and blue/orange. These are just £3.50 per bib so again represent another great value item in our football equipment range.

At The Soccer Store you can be assured that the football training and match day equipment that you buy is of the highest quality. All of our football equipment comes from trusted suppliers including Diamond Football, Samba and Mitre and comes tested and guaranteed. Football equipment that we have sourced ourselves and is unique to The Soccer Store also benefits from being fully tested and guaranteed.
It is not always the cheapest deal which is the best deal. Quality counts and we think that we have the balance of quality products at competitive prices. We offer great service and are on hand to give our expert advice on all of our football equipment and football goals.
All this coupled with free delivery using a next day courier service, you can’t go wrong.
Don’t opt for second best give us a call now on our order line 01606 835050, we’re here to help.

Here are 8 good reasons why small sided games should play a big part in our football training sessions:

1. Small side games give each player more touches of the ball and more time on the ball resulting in more skilful play.
2. The game mimics what the young players would do in the playground. Encourage them to set up their own game and pick their own sides. All of this makes the football more fun.
3. With no fixed positions players get to play defending, midfield and attacking roles.
4. With the complications of set plays and fixed positions the game becomes easier to understand.
5. The game teaches team play, working in triangles and short passes. I wonder how long Arsene Wenger spends with his players playing small sided games. I would say quite a bit and it shows in the way which Arsenal play.
6. Every player is encouraged to score goals and they get used to scoring goals.
7. It’s fun. Ask any player during a training session what they want to do next and play a game of football will probably be the answer.
8. Make the pitch small and it will replicate play in tight situations
9. No goalkeepers are required. No one standing in goal shivering for 30 minutes
10. It’s simple, just mark out the pitch with some marker cones and away you go.

The start of the football season is upon us and many of you will be getting back to training.
Before you get any footballs or equipment out of the bag it is important that all players are warmed up properly. The warm up session should be around 15 mins and breaks down as follows.
Five minutes jogging around the football pitch is a good start. It gives the players chance to get things moving and have a bit of a chat to catch up on what has happened during the holidays etc. It is important, especially with younger players to keep it at just a jogging pace.
This can be followed with some static stretching, holding positions but not bouncing on those positions.Shake out each stretch as they are done
Another jogging session of about 5 minutes and then some dynamic stretching involving speed and movement. This can be set up with some marker cones, speed hurdles or slalom poles.
The players should now be ready to do some work with the football.

The start of the new football season is here and it seems to be an endless wait without our national team involved in any competitive competitions. The, is he staying is he going saga has gone on forever and a bit more, but now the action on the field has begun. You placed all of those rediculous bets with your mates, your team has just signed the latest Rooney and the sun is shining, well sort of.
After 90 minutes your either heralding your team as the champions of your league or condeming them to the relagtion battle zone. Have faith, things will change.
Is it me or are there a lot more wingeing fans around these days. Why do they alway plonk themselves next to me and why do they look like they have never kicked a football in their lives yet proclaim to be experts, until they open their mouths of course?
Anyway, enjoy the football, enjoy the goals, and remember there are other things in life….. or are there?