Grassroots Football

[Monk]

Anyone here part of a grassroots club or have a child that plays with in grassroots football?

Whats your current opinion of your childs coach and club. (Becareful when naming clubs, no individuals)

 

Are any of you currently coaching teams?

[doddisalegend]

My eldest is just about to start under 12s tyro league (Divison 2) . His coach is very good (has his coaching badges and works with saints) very much about getting the boys to play football rather than worrying about winning. His trainning sessions are very good with a real purpose and he has certainaly improved my sons game no end. I'm under no illusions that my son is going to become a PL star so as long as he is enjoying it and learning something from it I'm happy with his coach and the club he plays for.

 

A lot of teams at my sons level seem to relay on one or two star players (normally kids who are either very quick and/or very big for their age) the long ball down the middle to the big/quick kid seems to be the prefered tactic for winning games. One of the worst things about kids football is the behavoiur of some of the parents/managers and kids you see at games every team seems to have (our team did to though they've recently moved on) one or two parents/coaches who take the whole thing way to seriously to the point that their behavoiur is really not acceptable.........

 

Actually looking at your location my sons team played a hampshire cup game against a Halying island team last season...bitterly cold and bloody windy..Made the mistake of wearing my saints scarf:lol:

[Monk]

My eldest is just about to start under 12s tyro league (Divison 2) . His coach is very good (has his coaching badges and works with saints) very much about getting the boys to play football rather than worrying about winning. His trainning sessions are very good with a real purpose and he has certainaly improved my sons game no end. I'm under no illusions that my son is going to become a PL star so as long as he is enjoying it and learning something from it I'm happy with his coach and the club he plays for.

 

A lot of teams at my sons level seem to relay on one or two star players (normally kids who are either very quick and/or very big for their age) the long ball down the middle to the big/quick kid seems to be the prefered tactic for winning games. One of the worst things about kids football is the behavoiur of some of the parents/managers and kids you see at games every team seems to have (our team did to though they've recently moved on) one or two parents/coaches who take the whole thing way to seriously to the point that their behavoiur is really not acceptable.........

 

Actually looking at your location my sons team played a hampshire cup game against a Halying island team last season...bitterly cold and bloody windy..Made the mistake of wearing my saints scarf:lol:

 

That would be my Hayling United (not my age group) then, I wouldnt worry about the Sains scarf, the club have gotten use to the idea of Saints being superior and heavily supported at the club via myself!

 

Glad to hear a coach is still focussing on the quality of the football through the team. Your statement pretty much sums up 80% of the English grassroots.

[mightysaints]

My son will be playing in the Southampton Youth Leaque this year in Div 1 with a great club and very friendly parents, not clicky at all. Can't say the same for Div 1 tyro under 13 up wards. The win at all costs from some of the established teams is shamefull. This attitude runs right through from manager to player to parent but the leaque still do nothing about it.

[Saint Luke]

I think it's all abit hit and miss.

Little league football - Juniors - turn up and play, no training.

Your manager can be a person with coaching experience or not.

Last year started with a manager who wanted to teach the kids how to play football.

Very competitive but hard on the kids.

Started training pre-season.

He fell out with the organisers and left.

New manager a parent who just wanted the kids to have fun.

2 very different approaches that can have very different effects.

The first one put the kids off but his coaching did have some effect.

The second one the kids liked but their game fell away.

 

This season up to seniors in little league and 9 a side.

Also joined an under 11 Sunday team which has mid-week coaching so hopefully that will improve their game and teach them something.

[doddisalegend]

My son will be playing in the Southampton Youth Leaque this year in Div 1 with a great club and very friendly parents, not clicky at all. Can't say the same for Div 1 tyro under 13 up wards. The win at all costs from some of the established teams is shamefull. This attitude runs right through from manager to player to parent but the leaque still do nothing about it.

 

I think that might be the same for quite a few Tyro league div 1 sides regardless of age group I guess the desire to win at all costs is partly why they're in Div 1. Certainaly saw a few José Mourinho wannabes in div 1 last season.

[Gemmel]

Anyone here part of a grassroots club or have a child that plays with in grassroots football?

Whats your current opinion of your childs coach and club. (Becareful when naming clubs, no individuals)

 

Are any of you currently coaching teams?

 

It varies enormously and depends on age groups and the teams ambitions.

 

The reality is that in any league and age group (Especially Div 1) there will only be two or three teams battling for the silverware.

 

In the lower age groups, the kids have a natural fitness, so the focus is better spent on teamwork, discipline and (To a lesser extent) ball work, that obvioulsy changes as they get older, but the trick is as a parent, is the ability to be objective, in line with what your kid actually wants out of his football.

 

Loads of great coaches, loads of poor ones and loads and loads and loads of unrealistic, uneducated and rosetinted glass wearing parents.

Edited 25 July, 2012 by Gemmel

[Kingsland Red]

Have run a side through Eastleigh & District Mini League( Under 8 to Under 10s), Tyro (under 11 to Under 15s) and City of Southampton Youth League (Under 16 and under 18 ).

For the last 5 years have been running a team in the Hampshire County Youth League.(Under 18 )

Plenty of good coaches / managers with their badges permitting them to run teams.

Parents with attitude are the problem, too many living their dream through their off spring.

[Gemmel]

Can't say the same for Div 1 tyro under 13 up wards. The win at all costs from some of the established teams is shamefull. This attitude runs right through from manager to player to parent but the leaque still do nothing about it.

 

I'm not sure what "At all costs" covers. But the thirst and drive to win and win everything should be applauded, not critiisied. That's football.

[Monk]

Some interesting opinions as usual.

 

 

Any of you have a child currently or previously involved with in an academy or elite training centre? Whats your opinions of the coaching and clubs philosophy?

[doddisalegend]

It varies enormously and depends on age groups and the teams ambitions.

 

The reality is that in any league and age group (Especially Div 1) there will only be two or three teams battling for the silverware.

 

In the lower age groups, the kids have a natural fitness, so the focus is better spent on teamwork, discipline and (To a lesser extent) ball work, that obvioulsy changes as they get older, but the trick is as a parent, is the ability to be objective, in line with what your kid actually wants out of his football.

 

Loads of great coaches, loads of poor ones and loads and loads and loads of unrealistic, uneducated and rosetinted glass wearing parents.

 

My sons team played a friendly against a Portsmouth team the other weekend. Due to pompey having closed down their youth academy the other team had taken on four ex pompey academy boys ....they were totally a class above all the other kids on the pitch my nipper is not a bad defender but these kids blew him away. We gotten beaten 7-3 but it was a great example of just how much better boys who get picked for proper footall club academies are...maybe all the grass roots teams should play an academy side just so the parents can see that their little pride and joy isn't really the next Messi

[Monk]

My sons team played a friendly against a Portsmouth team the other weekend. Due to pompey having closed down their youth academy the other team had taken on four ex pompey academy boys ....they were totally a class above all the other kids on the pitch my nipper is not a bad defender but these kids blew him away. We gotten beaten 7-3 but it was a great example of just how much better boys who get picked for proper footall club academies are...maybe all the grass roots teams should play an academy side just so the parents can see that their little pride and joy isn't really the next Messi

 

Can you please PM the name of the team that you guys had played last week? Work purposes.

[Gemmel]

Some interesting opinions as usual.

 

 

Any of you have a child currently or previously involved with in an academy or elite training centre? Whats your opinions of the coaching and clubs philosophy?

 

My lad was there 2 times and left both times as he didn't enjoy it. We probably had 4 or 5 others that either went through the six week evalution or joined on a permanent basis, only to be released one, two or three years later.

 

It's certainly different, but these guys are the best around , so if you get the chance take it, but be prepared for a shock when they come out. This is going back 3 - 10 years, so as with everything things change.

 

However the most soul destroying thing is watching a player that (As an example) went into the academy ay 13 was released at 15 and (Without exception) is behind the standard of his old team mates and will struggle for a couple of seasons. I would say Ive seen this 5 out of 5 times, so it's not always the best thing for everybody.

[doddisalegend]

I'm not sure what "At all costs" covers. But the thirst and drive to win and win everything should be applauded, not critiisied. That's football.

 

Yes winning is part of football............ but there is winning and then there is winning while diving, kicking chunks out of the opposition and seeing kids and manager/ coaches arguing with the ref over every deiscion. Un-partisian Linesmen (remember dads are expected to run the line) can also be an issue. I've seen a kid foul another kid then tell them to get up and stop being a cheating c unt. I suppose really you want to see two sets of boys play a good game of competive football but in a good natured and freindly atmosphere...I don't think that is to much to ask.

[doddisalegend]

Can you please PM the name of the team that you guys had played last week? Work purposes.

 

PM sent

[mightysaints]

Yes winning is part of football............ but there is winning and then there is winning while diving, kicking chunks out of the opposition and seeing kids and manager/ coaches arguing with the ref over every deiscion. Un-partisian Linesmen (remember dads are expected to run the line) can also be an issue. I've seen a kid foul another kid then tell them to get up and stop being a cheating c unt. I suppose really you want to see two sets of boys play a good game of competive football but in a good natured and freindly atmosphere...I don't think that is to much to ask.

 

Fully agree with that, i have run the line for many years now and would like to think that baring the odd genuine mistake i am good at it, but how many managers and parents realy know the off-side rule. Few i would say. I had one parent challenge me constantly, eventualy he did get under my skin. I asked him if he knew the off-side rule and as per normal he didn't have a clue. Also mums are the worse to contend with. My son put in a perfectly good but hard challenge this season, the other lad came off worse and then the mother came on the pitch having a go at my nipper. He just thought it was funny and told her it is a contact sport but other lads may have been effected.

[Gemmel]

Yes winning is part of football............ but there is winning and then there is winning while diving, kicking chunks out of the opposition and seeing kids and manager/ coaches arguing with the ref over every deiscion. Un-partisian Linesmen (remember dads are expected to run the line) can also be an issue. I've seen a kid foul another kid then tell them to get up and stop being a cheating c unt. I suppose really you want to see two sets of boys play a good game of competive football but in a good natured and freindly atmosphere...I don't think that is to much to ask.

 

 

I agree completely and without doubt the worst thing about Junior football is the "Un-Partisian" linesmen (The Dads) which can ruin games and cause wars.

 

The discipline is down to the Manager and that includes over the parents as well. Things will always get heated, but if it happens on a regular basis or crosses the line of what you consider acceptable, take you kid off or out of the club.

 

I will always remember one six aside tournament, where I used to give the reigns over to the Dads to run the team and all hell broke loose during the match with two mums on the side squaring up to each other. One mum screamed her innocence bu claiming "I didn't call him a ***** b@stard, I called him a fat b@stard..... We called the players off the pitch and that was that..... they were 9 at the time.

[Huffton]

Ive just taken my level 1 coaching badge so I can start running an under 8 team this season. The course was run by Jin Gittens funnily enough, nice bloke with some decent stories to tell from his playing days. One thing you pick up from the course is how hard the FA are trying to change peoples behaviour at grassroots level. All very well IMO, but until they do something about the likes of Wayne Rooney and his chums tearing into the refs at every opportunity they might as well spend the money down the pub...

[Monk]

Ive just taken my level 1 coaching badge so I can start running an under 8 team this season. The course was run by Jin Gittens funnily enough, nice bloke with some decent stories to tell from his playing days. One thing you pick up from the course is how hard the FA are trying to change peoples behaviour at grassroots level. All very well IMO, but until they do something about the likes of Wayne Rooney and his chums tearing into the refs at every opportunity they might as well spend the money down the pub...

 

The FA are trying very hard. I highly reccomend you sit the FA youth module one, fascinating insight into how kids learn.

[doddisalegend]

Fully agree with that, i have run the line for many years now and would like to think that baring the odd genuine mistake i am good at it, but how many managers and parents realy know the off-side rule. Few i would say. I had one parent challenge me constantly, eventualy he did get under my skin. I asked him if he knew the off-side rule and as per normal he didn't have a clue. Also mums are the worse to contend with. My son put in a perfectly good but hard challenge this season, the other lad came off worse and then the mother came on the pitch having a go at my nipper. He just thought it was funny and told her it is a contact sport but other lads may have been effected.

 

I agree completely and without doubt the worst thing about Junior football is the "Un-Partisian" linesmen (The Dads) which can ruin games and cause wars.

 

The discipline is down to the Manager and that includes over the parents as well. Things will always get heated, but if it happens on a regular basis or crosses the line of what you consider acceptable, take you kid off or out of the club.

 

I will always remember one six aside tournament, where I used to give the reigns over to the Dads to run the team and all hell broke loose during the match with two mums on the side squaring up to each other. One mum screamed her innocence bu claiming "I didn't call him a ***** b@stard, I called him a fat b@stard..... We called the players off the pitch and that was that..... they were 9 at the time.

 

I've got great respect for most of those dads that will run the line I won't do it. I'll set up the goals, clear dog poo off the pitch and carry and fetch for the coach ...but I won't run the line..I got enough abuse the few times I reffed at mini soccer matches. Most guys who run the line are fine they make mistakes but it's not an easy job and they won't get any abuse from me. Once in a while though you get a dad that, while not wanting to use the word cheating, seem to be a little to happy to wave the flag and give everything to their own team.

 

I've seen a few cases over the years my son has played were parents ( and sometimes managers) have nearly come to blows over a kids football game.....I just don't understand it.

[Huffton]

The FA are trying very hard. I highly reccomend you sit the FA youth module one, fascinating insight into how kids learn.

 

I was looking at those, although I may go straight for level 2 as I would like to get the level 2 goalkeeping certificate as well.

[doddisalegend]

Ive just taken my level 1 coaching badge so I can start running an under 8 team this season. The course was run by Jin Gittens funnily enough, nice bloke with some decent stories to tell from his playing days. One thing you pick up from the course is how hard the FA are trying to change peoples behaviour at grassroots level. All very well IMO, but until they do something about the likes of Wayne Rooney and his chums tearing into the refs at every opportunity they might as well spend the money down the pub...

 

There is that when kids see some of the antics that top footballers get up to ....you can see why they might think it is acceptable to act like that to.

[Huffton]

There is that when kids see some of the antics that top footballers get up to ....you can see why they might think it is acceptable to act like that to.

 

Thats my point, we do our best to show them how to behave on a football pitch, then they go and see their heros doing totally the opposite and acting like spoiled brats, and people wonder why they copy them. IMO its about time the FA introduced a zero tolerance policy on dissent, with only captains allowed to talk to the ref, like in rugby. The second dear Wayne opens his mouth, he takes 10 mins in the sin bin. It would stamp it out virtually overnight.

[Monk]

I was looking at those, although I may go straight for level 2 as I would like to get the level 2 goalkeeping certificate as well.

 

Im due to sit my GK level 2 in September, if you want to be educated, then I really reccomend you sit your youth module, out of all my licences, it has been the most refreshing.

[suewhistle]

The course was run by Jin Gittens funnily enough, nice bloke with some decent stories to tell from his playing days.

 

Ah, you've just reminded me Hants FA owe me some money! I went on a course they organised for junior team organisers/coaches and Jon Gittens didn't turn up. Then I moved abroad and couldn't do the alternative dates.

 

The advantage of pitches here is that they're all surrounded by fencing, and parents can't get in. You still see in the disciplinary bulletins that coaches and clubs are fined for fan's behaviour 'per abuso nei confronti al arbitro', etc. but when I've helped out at girls junior tournaments the parents seem ok.

 

In general coaching seems good and we certainly do a fair bit of ball and positional work and hitting it long is frowned on in training so even at my advanced age I've improved. [bl***y hockey at school.:-( ] Haven't really got anything to compare it with in the UK, as it's all changed so much in the last 10/15 years. But my team have a goal-keeping coach, and a masseuse comes along to one of our 2 training nights and for home games, so a lot better than I'm used to. I've got the programme on my desk here for individual training before team training starts mid-august (glad I went out earlier as it's probably still over 30 here) and at the start of pre-season we train every day. Luckily I shall be in the UK!

 

I've run the line for a friend's team in Sunday morning football when they had no-one else and even got an award from the ref: I gave a goal decision against my own team when it went over the line with the ref unsighted. The other team all appealed, ref looked across to me and I pointed to the centre... Didn't get any grief from friends except 'are you sure'?..

 

I believe if a player at adult level = 15+ - is transferred the original club gets some of the costs of training back, even at our low level.

[Wadge]

I run and under 10's and under 13's team in Cambridgeshire. I put no pressure on the teams to win, I want them to win, but I want them to want to win. We never resort to lumping the ball forwards to win at all costs, its all about the way we play. We have lost to a couple of sides who play direct to the quick strong lad up front, but as a team and as players they won't progress. But we are always congratulated on the way we play and other teams tell us we are the best team they have played. Both age groups have come on loads, we emphasise the need to be able to control the ball first and foremost and pass and move thereafter.

 

I also don't see the point in bollocking the boys at that age either, I have witnessed managers tearing strips out of their players for mistakes ending up in the boys crying. No one means to make mistakes it just happens, bollocking them just makes them scared to try things as they think they will get shouted at, so they end up kicking it away first time. There are too many blokes doing it that never played football and are in it to win things rather than to progress the boys. The other pain in the arse is the parents, you always get 1 or 2 who think their son is better than they are, sh1t stir with other parents etc, sometimes you just want to punch them in the face.

 

I am also a scout for Norwich and see first hand the levels the academy boys are playing at and those parents that think their boys are the next Rooney playing in the local leagues are sorely mistaken. The advice and training things the Norwich coaches do with the academy boys has been a real help for me coaching my teams.

[Monk]

I run and under 10's and under 13's team in Cambridgeshire. I put no pressure on the teams to win, I want them to win, but I want them to want to win. We never resort to lumping the ball forwards to win at all costs, its all about the way we play. We have lost to a couple of sides who play direct to the quick strong lad up front, but as a team and as players they won't progress. But we are always congratulated on the way we play and other teams tell us we are the best team they have played. Both age groups have come on loads, we emphasise the need to be able to control the ball first and foremost and pass and move thereafter.

 

I also don't see the point in bollocking the boys at that age either, I have witnessed managers tearing strips out of their players for mistakes ending up in the boys crying. No one means to make mistakes it just happens, bollocking them just makes them scared to try things as they think they will get shouted at, so they end up kicking it away first time. There are too many blokes doing it that never played football and are in it to win things rather than to progress the boys. The other pain in the arse is the parents, you always get 1 or 2 who think their son is better than they are, sh1t stir with other parents etc, sometimes you just want to punch them in the face.

 

I am also a scout for Norwich and see first hand the levels the academy boys are playing at and those parents that think their boys are the next Rooney playing in the local leagues are sorely mistaken. The advice and training things the Norwich coaches do with the academy boys has been a real help for me coaching my teams.

 

Wadge, have you sat your FA Talent ID course?

[View From The Top]

My nipper has recently (May) moved from a L1 to PL team (U11) & moves from 7-a-side to 9-a-side (1/2 size pitch) this year. The former team was strictly amateur the latter highly professional with all coaches L2 badge or higher, I have L1 myself & used to do U14 - U16.

 

The coaches never raise their voices & mistakes aren't hammered but the will to win is immense. Sessions are skills based, lots of touches & short passes & they train twice a week once the season starts. I've seen the difference if his play in the pre-season games he's played.

 

He's been invited to train with Stoke & Wolves but I've declined that opportunity knowing that if he's good enough then he'd be picked up later - he won't be as he takes his cricket more seriously.

 

This is where he plays his home games.

 

[SB]

Currently Level two FA qualified, and level 4 referee.i've been involved in grass roots football for some years now, partly talent ID/scouting. I'd say the philosophy is changing as is widely know we are now looking abroad to Spain & Holland and how they coaching ( which is partly why smaller goals and football pitches being introduced with the players being able to be more creative.) On the coaching aspect I've seen a wide range of coaching styles, some good role models, others appauling! Smoking on the sideline, swearing at the referee and kids, it's easy to blame Rooney and Co, but poor attitude and behaviour is more linked to the managers/coach. ( apologise for grammar, currently on the train)

[doddisalegend]

My nipper has recently (May) moved from a L1 to PL team (U11) & moves from 7-a-side to 9-a-side (1/2 size pitch) this year. The former team was strictly amateur the latter highly professional with all coaches L2 badge or higher, I have L1 myself & used to do U14 - U16.

 

The coaches never raise their voices & mistakes aren't hammered but the will to win is immense. Sessions are skills based, lots of touches & short passes & they train twice a week once the season starts. I've seen the difference if his play in the pre-season games he's played.

 

He's been invited to train with Stoke & Wolves but I've declined that opportunity knowing that if he's good enough then he'd be picked up later - he won't be as he takes his cricket more seriously.

 

This is where he plays his home games.

 

 

Blimey! That's a posh home ground my sons team play on two pitches at a local park and the dads have to put the goals up before the game and clear the local dog walks mess off the pitches before kick off:(

[View From The Top]

Blimey! That's a posh home ground my sons team play on two pitches at a local park and the dads have to put the goals up before the game and clear the local dog walks mess off the pitches before kick off:(

 

As I said, he's signed for a well run, professional at times, club.

 

There are a few like this around us, sporting clubs on the Dutch model, that have hockey, cricket, rugby teams etc...Others, the majority have teams from U6 to adult. The rest use school playing fields, local park pitches aren't used by junior sides as they are deemed unsuitable for playing football on the deck, although some school pitches are poor.

 

One side we play, all of their players are at Stoke Academy & their pitches are better than many professional clubs!

[70's Mike]

For my sins I am Chairman of a Club with 28 teams. its own ground, gym and 3G pitch, bl**dy hard work

[doddisalegend]

As I said, he's signed for a well run, professional at times, club.

 

There are a few like this around us, sporting clubs on the Dutch model, that have hockey, cricket, rugby teams etc...Others, the majority have teams from U6 to adult. The rest use school playing fields, local park pitches aren't used by junior sides as they are deemed unsuitable for playing football on the deck, although some school pitches are poor.

 

One side we play, all of their players are at Stoke Academy & their pitches are better than many professional clubs!

 

My sons club is a resonably big club round these parts they've got several teams at every age up to adult but they don't let the kids use the good pitch (thats for the mens teams). Eastleigh and Sholing are both decent sized non league clubs around here and their youth teams use local sports pitches and playing fields. The only team my son has played against that had anything approaching a pitch that nice was QK over in Lordshill.

[Wade Garrett]

My nephew was at a tournament recently and there were league scouts there.

 

He is 6. What a load of b*llocks.

[View From The Top]

My nephew was at a tournament recently and there were league scouts there.

 

He is 6. What a load of b*llocks.

 

Friend of ours 5yo lad, yes, 5yo, has been picked up by Stoke & trains up there twice a week.

[Gemmel]

For my sins I am Chairman of a Club with 28 teams. its own ground' date=' gym and 3G pitch, bl**dy hard work[/quote']

 

Oakwood?

[suewhistle]

The ground where my women's team play, right in the middle of an old roman town... mind you the ground is showing it's age too, and the floodlights have had it... Good pitch though, which, looking at the photo I'm sure has since been widened... We play different tactics at home!

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=np&biw=1066&bih=603&tbm=isch&tbnid=6v_-L765IHSLHM:&imgrefurl=http://www.footballzz.com/estadio.php%3Fid%3D8291&docid=UPeX1-ombLVAsM&itg=1&imgurl=http://www.footballzz.com/img/estadios/836/15836_ori_mario_puchoz.jpg&w=799&h=315&ei=hjkQUInaL--N4gTD7oC4Ag&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=432&vpy=172&dur=30&hovh=141&hovw=358&tx=173&ty=82&sig=113871016162416048423&page=1&tbnh=63&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:85

[Give it to Ron]

Oakwood?

 

Ill bet with Warsash??

 

I have coached girls under 10 to under 16 we stopped when it went to Ladies and the scene in dressing room

changes for them and upset a few innocent ones.

 

Coached boys from under 5's for various local Tyro sides and now going to first year in youth league.

Philosophy has always been about enjoying and coaching to pass it rather than hoof it.

Agree with most comments on here Tyro is full of dads living life through their kids, my lad also played for a team in Testway league and that has been so different, better run, better parents, decent teams.

[70's Mike]

Oakwood?

 

Warsash

[Wade Garrett]

Friend of ours 5yo lad, yes, 5yo, has been picked up by Stoke & trains up there twice a week.

 

Child abuse.

[Wadge]

Yes I have Monk, did it about 3 months ago. I got my certificate through about a month ago

[Lets B Avenue]

Child abuse.

 

Yes I have Monk, did it about 3 months ago. I got my certificate through about a month ago

 

Unfortunate timing of these posts.

[Special K]

Some interesting opinions as usual.

 

 

Any of you have a child currently or previously involved with in an academy or elite training centre? Whats your opinions of the coaching and clubs philosophy?

 

Not my nipper, but a good mate of mine has his teenager with the Bournemouth academy. He says it is an excellent environment in which his youngster can learn. They are quite strict, but he says that's a good thing.

 

On the subject of bad parents, they are nothing new. I remember playing for Olivers Battery Gunners in the old Eastleigh and District Tyro league in the late 70's and early 80's. Most parents were ok, but there were some tasty moments between oppo dads back then. Funnily enough i dug out an old cup final programme a few months ago, from 1980 (i think) which had photo's of all the competing teams. It wsa at the old Pirelli ground and was a day of cup finals for all the age groups. Anyone on the board play around then? We lost 4 - 2 to Hedge End Rangers (i think) .