Daniel Nolan

🫶🏼 he might be 17 but I still don’t mind giving up my nights to bring him training … what grassroots football has done for my boys .. it’s taught them so much, the discipline, the routine, the dedication, what it means to be a team player ❤️ & even after 12 years of it week in week out every weekend x 2 boys - they’ll always be my favorite people to watch 🫶🏼 I’m always on that sideline & I always will be 🥰🥰🥰🥰 Eternal Bloom

When someone asks why grassroots is amazing. Show them THIS ❤️❤️ 11 mths ago Harry Jolley 13, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. 4 rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant later, he played his first game back today. Last game of season, we needed to win to stay up. Harry came on for the final 5 mins, the score line 3-3. With his first touch, Harry scores the winner to make it 4-3! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Such a sad email we received from a follower who asked for their thoughts to be shared. Respect, integrity and sportsmanship ..... You guys are spot on, These are the qualities that all involved in grassroots football should adhere to and be proud to do so. Unfortunately, youth football can be one of the most cutthroat environments I’ve ever come across and those values appear to be impossible for some to establish in themselves. Being an ex dance mum, I have experience of this and can honestly say that the dance world ain’t got nothing on the grassroots football world! I’m the wife of a man who has dedicated the last 12 years of his life to coaching young boys to become the best they can be. What started as helping out my sons team when he was five years old to today as head coach and chief cheerleader. Sadly, that journey finished last night. Why? Because after a couple of poor results (oh boy were they poor 🤦‍♀️) another local team decided to ‘offer’ a more attractive option at their team to some of my husband’s team’s most coveted talent. The boys being 15/16 and their pride hurt, took this offer which has resulted in other boys jumping ship and subsequently my husband and the dwindling numbers had no option but to fold as he could see no way forward. He didn’t go down without a fight and sat up through the night, messaging the parents of anyone he could think of that could kick a ball. He after all had a responsibility to the young men left behind to ensure that they were able to enjoy a game of football at the weekend. Despite his best efforts, it wasn’t to be. I watched my husband crumble last night, he is broken. He cried. I’ve rarely seen this. He spent his night calling each and everyone of the teams’ parents and the tears weren’t just from my husband. The words of comfort that were offered: ‘my boy wouldn’t be the person he is today without you’ ‘Because of you, my boy has met friends for life’ His work doesn’t finish here, I know he will do everything he can to get his boys into new teams should they want to. Why should he bother you ask? Because his values are ‘Respect, integrity and sportsmanship’. His team mean the world to him and always will. I guess I’m just venting here through hurt and grief. Yes, grief! We lost our football family a last night. We knew it wouldn’t last forever, but to have it taken away so suddenly and brutally, is hard to comprehend. To all the grassroots coaches (like my husband) who just want some kids to enjoy football, I’m proud of you. Your contribution to their lives is something that can never be taken away. Yours in Sport Anon

#Shoutout to all the parent coaches, we know sometimes it can be tough coaching your own child, but when it works well it's one of the best things in the world. Thank you to all the parent coaches, you are the foundation that grassroots football is built on. We are forever in your debt. #grassrootsfootball #TeamGrassroots #GRF