grassroots football

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 FA has been grappling with the growing problem of bad behaviour in grassroots football for many years. National campaigns, educational programmes and increasingly strict rules regarding the issue don’t seem to have worked.  There is still a serious behaviour problem in community football — and more drastic action is needed.  This year sees the launch of a new rule...

The UK Government’s austerity measures have taken a heavy toll on local authority finances in recent years. Councillors have met the challenge by, among other things, selling assets and slashing costs wherever possible. Essential public services are rightly being ring-fenced from these measures. But initiatives, facilities and land related to sporting endeavours have not.  And the consequences have been devastating...

The recent spate of racist attacks at the top level of football is a sign that the issue of discrimination in the game never really went away. The likes of Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose have been subjected to disgusting racist abuse in recent weeks — drawing the ire of the football community, fans, and power brokers at the very...

Football is a simple game. It involves 22 players, two goals and a ball. And when it’s done right, it’s a beautiful thing. The vast majority of resources and skills within the grassroots game have to be spent on the players and the people who look after them. But there’s a bureaucracy in the game that is diverting funds away...

Participations levels in grassroots football are still falling — despite the best efforts of the government, the FA and local associations. If you want to recruit the next generation of players, you’re going to need to reach out. One way to get young players excited about your club is to hold regular open days. These are casual, fun and interactive...

The life of a grassroots football referee is very often a thankless one. Amateur match officials get it in the neck from all sides these days — from players, coaches and spectators. So much so, there’s now a dire shortage of referees in England. Nevertheless, thousands of referees perform their duties diligently every weekend, on pitches and playing fields up...

A grassroots football coach and their club’s admin team need to be fully prepared for the season ahead.This means stocking up on kit, footballs, football goals and training equipment. But there are also certain items of matchday equipment every club must have. In many cases, failing to provide certain items for use on matchday can result in a fine. Or...

Unless you’re involved in the business side of grassroots football, you probably don’t realise how expensive things can be at this level. After all, you wouldn’t necessarily think that some young people kicking a ball around on some grass would be all that costly. But when you delve into the figures, you might begin to wonder how so many grassroots...

The Football Association is desperately trying to make up for lost time when it comes to investing in grassroots football. And while participation levels among young male adults are still falling in England, the good news is that other demographics are coming back to the game in significant numbers. Overall, however, many believe that the grassroots game in England is...