Money has never been tighter in grassroots football. Every penny counts, which makes maintaining pitches harder than ever. While you might not be responsible for the overall upkeep of the grassroots football pitch you use, you should still be aware of the basic principles involved. You can then play your part, and help to keep your pitch as healthy as...

Whether you are buying a match or training football you will need to choose the correct size. It stands to reason that different age groups should use different size footballs. What Size Are Size 3 Footballs? Footballs are available in 5 different sizes from Size 1 mini footballs to adult Size 5 footballs. A Size 3 football is used by...

With grassroots football facing an existential crisis in the UK right now, anything that can boost participation and retention levels is welcome. Technology is already being used in the game, but until relatively recently its impact has been limited.  Fundraising But things are slowly changing. Back in 2019, a Durham-based entrepreneur created a mobile app that helps local football clubs...

Grassroots football across the UK has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Government’s restrictions have forced matches and training sessions to cease — for months at a time. While such restrictions were necessary, they have taken a huge toll on the finances of local leagues and clubs up and down the country.  Without a steady stream of...

Grassroots football across the UK is back after another lengthy Covid-19 lockdown. Local teams across the country were forced to stop playing in December after infections rose considerably. But since Monday 29 March, children and amateurs across the country have been back in action — albeit outdoors only.  Outdoor sporting facilities can now open, and organised football is permitted —...

The physical health benefits of football are obvious. But what we rarely hear about are the benefits related to mental health. A new study has finally proved a link between the beautiful game and mental health, and the results are exciting. Mental health is a broad spectrum of issues, many of which can be positively affected by being part of...

Grassroots football clubs up and down the country are fighting for survival. A combination of a decades-long financial crisis and the COVID-19 epidemic has brought thousands of clubs to the brink of oblivion. But there is some modest help out there. The Football Foundation is issuing grants to the most desperate community football clubs — and here’s how to apply...

The COVID-19 epidemic has wreaked unprecedented damage to societies around the world. At all levels of the game, football has suffered. EFL clubs require an emergency bailout, and even the Premier League has suffered severe revenue losses. While these stories make news headlines, the crisis within grassroots football has gone largely unnoticed by the UK’s media outlets. In particular, the...

While a Covid-19 is on the horizon, there’s still a chance of further lockdowns over the next six months. If you’re worried about losing your competitive edge during the next lockdown, there are a few football activities you can try at home. All you need to get started is a small outdoor area such as a garden and some essential...

Grassroots football training has to be adapted in order to minimise the risk of Covid infections. Last week, we talked about non-contact football drills that minimise cross-contamination. These drills were aimed at giving each player their own ball, thus reducing the risk of call contamination. But if you’re comfortable with players sharing footballs, there are different Covid-safe drills you can...