When the FA announced its £250m scheme to improve grassroots football in England, hopes for the future the game in local communities rose. But it seems that there might be a significant flaw with the plans. As more than 80 percent of community pitches are owned by local authorities, it is inevitable that they will be responsible for the implementation...

If you were to ask a local grassroots footballer about the state of the game, they would probably reply with a list of complaints about rotting facilities and unplayable pitches. But ask the average professional, and the response might be a little more vague. So when former Newcastle United and Tottenham legend Chris Waddle was asked about the grassroots game...

Being an FA accredited referee is a highly rewarding and enjoyable job; in fact many referees claim it’s the next best thing to actually playing the game. The role of the modern referee is vital in many respects. As well as officiating matches, referees play important roles in their local communities, and work with footballers to improve their discipline and...

At the end of 2015, the FA conducted the biggest ever survey into the state of grassroots football in England. Although there were many issues raised by people involved in the game, the overwhelming complaint related to the state of municipal football pitches. More than 80 percent of grassroots football matches take place on pitches run by cash-strapped councils. Yet...

The constant twists, turns and sudden changes of direction involved in football can put the ankles of a footballer under tremendous strain. Most ankle injuries involve little more than some mild pain and discomfort, but some can be career threatening. Playing through the pain might seem like the heroic thing to do at times, but it could put your long-term...

In 2014 the Football Association announced ambitious plans to build more than 15 so-called football hubs around the country. The FA wanted to transform the way football is played across England. What the FA really meant was that they had been shamed into doing something about rotting football facilities and the shocking state of municipal pitches around England. A total...

Premier League: Then and Now If you listen to the critics, the elite level of football is a closed shop nowadays, with the same teams competing at the top every year. But it hasn’t always been like this – since the 1991-92 season, an incredible 49 teams have graced the country’s top division for at least one season. The likes of Manchester United...

The nature of football puts great strain on a player’s knees. Whether in training or in the heat of match action, the pressure of constant shifts in weight, twists and turns can take a heavy toll on the knees. A lot of players ignore twinges and nagging pains for fear of missing matches - but this can often lead to...

18-year-old Lewis Maguire was a highly promising goalkeeper with dreams of playing in The Premier League. That was until he developed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma whilst on trial with Leeds United. Lewis’ father Nigel is a former NHS boss, and he believes that his son might have developed this aggressive form of cancer as a result of playing on synthetic surfaces on...

Confused about whether you should use ice pack or heat pack for a sport injury? Don’t worry, you are not the only person second-guessing his/her decision. Although many athletes are aware that applying ice over an acute injury will subdue the pain, but many people who aren’t pro athletes are unaware of this fact. On the other hand, several people...