It's Only Kids Football

Episode 100 marks a milestone beyond numbers, as Ben and Mike reflect on how three years of coaching and honest self-examination have reshaped them from reactive, emotionally driven dads into more self-aware, confident coaches.

What began as sideline frustration, post-match “crash outs,” and sleepless nights has evolved into a calmer, more thoughtful approach built on accountability and experience. They revisit early mistakes—shouting, letting results dictate emotions, and struggling to separate parenting from coaching—while sharing how expert advice and reflection helped them improve communication and focus on development over winning.

Alongside practical lessons in training, confidence, and team culture, this episode highlights the power of honesty, showing how growth comes not from perfection, but from learning, adapting, and showing up better each time.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3
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Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com
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In this episode, hosts Ben and Mike are joined in the studio by Football DNA's head of coaching, Paul Barry, to break down the FA’s brand-new 3v3 format for under-7s—and what it really means for coaches, players and parents.

Drawing on over 30 years of coaching experience, Paul explains why 3v3 is “football in its purest form,” designed to maximise touches, decision-making, and enjoyment. The conversation explores how removing goalkeepers, referees and rigid structure creates a more creative, player-led environment—and why that’s crucial for long-term development.

The episode goes beyond theory, offering practical coaching advice on what to prioritise in training, how to build decision-making through small-sided games, and why concepts like ball mastery, attacking intent, and transitions should take centre stage. Paul also shares powerful insights on coaching behaviours—from reducing sideline noise to using language that actually resonates with young players.

Alongside the benefits, the discussion tackles real-world challenges, including over-coaching, parental pressure, “ball hogging,” and how to handle difficult grassroots scenarios. Whether you’re unsure about the format or excited to embrace it, this is your complete guide to coaching 3v3 the right way.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3
Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/
Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ben and Mike, two grassroots dads doing their best not to ruin their kids’ football journeys, are joined by Kate and Fran from Performance Canteen, specialists in youth athlete nutrition who’ve worked with elite academies and young players across the UK.

While Ben admits his go-to meal plan involves oven chips and panic, Kate and Fran drop a bombshell: most grassroots kids aren’t overfed - they’re under-fuelled. And it’s quietly wrecking their performance, mood, and love for the game.

They dive into the biggest myths around “healthy eating,” why sugar isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how modern nutrition advice is confusing parents more than it’s helping. If you’ve ever wondered why your kid fades in matches, gets grumpy after training, or constantly asks for snacks—this one’s for you.

Grab a bowl of cereal, ditch the guilt, and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about feeding young footballers.

Get 15% off the Game Ready Course from Performance Canteen. Use code: IOKF15 (valid until end of June) 👉 https://performancecanteen.mykajabi.com/offers/S45Zi4Hp?coupon_code=IOKF15

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3
Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/
Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike Clark and Ben sit down with Colin Windrow, the visionary club manager behind MSB Woolton—officially the largest grassroots football club in England.

Colin shares the fascinating journey of scaling a local Liverpool side into an institution supporting over 2,400 players and 400 volunteers. Beyond the logistics, he reveals the club’s secret approach: an internal league designed to foster a love for the game without the crushing pressure of early competition.

From practical community hacks like "boot exchanges" to managing the high expectations of parents, this conversation is essential listening for any coach, volunteer, or parent navigating the complex world of grassroots football. Discover how to build a legacy that values people over points.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3
Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/
Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, hosts Ben and Mike travel to St George’s Park to investigate "Future Fit"—the FA’s biggest youth football restructuring in over a decade.

The episode dives into the new 3v3 format for under-7s, exploring why more touches and game time are the key to developing confident, skilful players.

Featuring insights from former England internationals Glen Johnson and Rachel Yankey, alongside Clare Daniels (Senior National Development Manager for Innovations & Solutions) and John Folwell (Head of Grassroots Coach Development), the episode tackles the "no goalkeeper" controversy and offers advice for parents on navigating the often-toxic grassroots sideline.

Whether you’re a coach worried about logistics or a parent wondering where the keepers went, this is a must-watch guide to the new era of the English game.

A closer look at 3v3: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/a-closer-look-at-3v3/index.html
Everything you need to know about FutureFit: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/index.html

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players.

Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/

Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3
Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/
Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.