I never planned on making a podcast. But the more time Ive spent on the sidelines — watching, encouraging, coaching, tying countless muddy laces, the more I realised these small moments carry big lessons.
Grassroots football strips everything back. Amongst the talks of tactics, it’s about people, effort, creating community, and the little wins kids don’t even know they’re giving you. Somewhere between cold mornings and lost bits of kit, the sidelines start teaching you about yourself too.
So this is me, sharing my journey as a manager/coach/parent with you.
Young Referees in the Game — Are the sidelines helping or driving them out? Imagine being 14/15 years old, stepping onto a football pitch with a whistle around your neck, and within minutes having adults shouting at you because they disagree with a decision. Young referees are learning too. In this episode, I look at the treatment of young officials in grassroots football and ask whether the behaviour of parents and coaches is helping create the next generation of referees — or making them wa...
5 Oct 2026
Episode 2 - Are Friendlies Ever Friendly? - When a "friendly" stops feeling very friendly...
It's called a friendly... so why do they sometimes feel anything but? 😂 A recent match left me genuinely questioning whether some adults forget what a friendly is actually for — to give children the chance to play, experiment, develop and enjoy their football without the pressure of league points or trophies. In this episode, I look at competition, coaching from the sidelines, respect for opposition and referees, and the responsibility we have as adults to create the right environment for you...
28 Sept 2026
Episode 1 - The Shift from U7s to U8s — What's Changed Already?
We're U8s! ⚽ A new season means a new age group, and already we're noticing some big changes. The players are growing, the football is becoming more structured, the competition feels different... and suddenly we're hearing things like "mark the keeper" from corners! But when does children's football start becoming more serious? And how do we introduce more tactics, higher standards and greater competition without losing the freedom and enjoyment that makes grassroots football so special? In t...
25 Sept 2026
From The Sidelines - Grassroots Football - Season 2 Trailer
Series 2 is coming! ⚽️🎙️ The lads will all be en-route to turning eight, the season is underway, and we're back on the sidelines. New season, new challenges, new things to talk about — from young referees, pre-season friendlies, and overcoaching to mixed teams, development pathways and everything in between. Same grassroots football. Same honest conversations. Same two coaches trying to work it all out. From the Sidelines — Series 2. Coming very soon.
18 Sept 2026
Episode 10 - (Season 1 Finale) - What Grassroots Football Taught Us
The U7 chapter is officially over. ⚽ In the final episode of Series 1, I look back at our first season of grassroots football — the highs, the challenges, the cup final, the lessons, the players, the parents and everything in between. I'll also be joined by my fellow manager Jonny (which meant a special episode cover for it😉), who shares his own reflections on the season and what he hopes the players remember about their time together. Because when we started, we thought we were helping the k...
29 Jun 2026
Episode 9 - Understanding the Youth Football Landscape
Grassroots clubs. Development centres. Professional academies. If you're new to youth football, it can feel like a maze of different pathways and opportunities. But what do they all actually mean? In this episode of From the Sidelines, I explore the different environments available to young players as the youth football landscape continues to grow and evolve, what each one is designed to do, and why choosing the "best" option isn't always about chasing the biggest setup. Because every child i...
12 Jun 2026
Episode 8 — Are We Overcoaching Our Kids?
Are We Overcoaching Our Kids? As coaches and parents, we all want to help. But when does helping become overcoaching? In this episode of From the Sidelines, I reflect on the fine line between guiding young players and controlling every decision they make. From a training session where we deliberately stayed silent and let the kids work things out for themselves, to the way players look to the sidelines after mistakes, this episode explores how learning often happens when adults take a step ba...
29 Apr 2026
Episode 7 - What Makes a Good Sideline?
In grassroots football, the sidelines are never silent — but what impact do they really have on the game? In this episode of From the Sidelines, I reflect on how the voices, reactions, and behaviours from the touchline can potentially shape a child’s experience far more than we might realise. From moments of genuine encouragement — even from opposition parents — to the noise that can build when too many instructions take over, this is an honest look at what a positive sideline might look like...
19 Mar 2026
Episode 6 - Incentives in Grassroots Football — Motivation or Pressure?
From Player of the Match awards to end-of-season trophies — incentives are everywhere in grassroots football. But are they helping motivate young players… or quietly creating pressure? In this episode of From the Sidelines, I reflect on the different ways children are rewarded in youth football — both on the pitch and at home — and how those incentives can shape the way kids approach the game. From the simple “I get a pound every time I score” to the bigger question of effort versus outcomes,...
16 Feb 2026
Episode 5 — Behind the Curtain: Setting Up a Grassroots Team
What does it really take to start a grassroots football team? In this episode of From the Sidelines, we look beyond matchdays and training sessions to explore the reality of what happens behind the scenes. From registrations and safeguarding to sponsors, subs, and the admin no one talks about — this is an honest look at what goes into creating a team before a ball is even kicked. Not to put anyone off… but to help those thinking of getting involved go in with their eyes open. Because grassroo...
26 Jan 2026
Episode 4 - Mid-Season Reflection: Taking Stock From the Sidelines
As grassroots football restarts after the winter break, this episode takes a step back before looking forward. Rather than reviewing results, this is a reflection on the first half of the season — what’s gone well, what’s been challenging, and what we’ve learned along the way. From confidence and consistency to the influence of the sidelines, it’s about recognising progress that doesn’t always show up on a scoreboard. A moment to pause, reset, and refocus on what really matters as the second ...
20 Jan 2026
Episode 3 - Winning Competitions
We love to win. Who doesn’t? But at U7s, winning can’t be the only thing that matters. In this episode of From the Sidelines, I reflect on our team winning their first cup — the pride, the celebrations, and why watching the lads lift the trophy was such a special moment. More importantly, we talk about keeping kids grounded, handling wins and losses the right way, and why “we win, lose and draw as a team” is more than just a phrase. Because trophies fade — but confidence, resilience, and love...
16 Jan 2026
Episode 2 - Positions at U7s - Helpful or Holding Them Back?
Should seven-year-olds play with positions, or should they just be free to explore the game? In this episode of From the Sidelines, I share our teams current experience of using forms of positioning at U7s — what’s worked well, what hasn’t, and why some players naturally gravitate to certain areas of the pitch anyway. This isn’t about right or wrong, this is just our teams experience and what works for us. It’s about confidence, development, and creating environments where kids can learn, try...
16 Jan 2026
Episode 1 - Why Sidelines Matter
I never thought I'd be making a podcast, but it's something I've felt I've always wanted to try. But standing on the sidelines week on week — tying muddy laces, watching kids give everything they’ve got, and navigating the quiet pressure that comes with grassroots football — I started to realise how much these small moments teach us. This first episode is about why this podcast exists. It’s not about tactics, formations, or pretending we’re managing in the Premier League. It’s about peo...
15 Jan 2026
From the Sidelines - Grassroots Football - Teaser Trailer
This is the teaser trailer for my very own podcast all about grassroots football! I'll be talking about my experiences as a coach, manager and parent, and what I'm learning along the way of this brilliant journey that is grassroots football. If you’re a coach, manager, a parent, or someone just trying to show up and keep going… you’re in the right place.
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