Grassroots football has changed the lives of many young footballers. It’s gone from times where kids would play football on the street to having an opportunity to play for a grassroots team. That sounds great however, that also leads us to the question “what is grassroots football doing wrong?

Grassroots football has been going on for decades now and a few of the main ongoing problems range from the lack of facilities up to the poor coaching. I used to play for a grassroots Sunday league football team and from my personal experience, I can say that I had the same problems. For example, we would come in at 6pm on a Thursday afternoon and have train on a public basketball court. The problem of using anything “public” is the fact everyone who comes and goes is allowed to use it. This usually meant our training sessions would often be interrupted or put to a halt by kids shouting/screaming or civilians walking by with their animals. So how will this be changed? In October 2014 FA chairman Greg Dyke said "grassroots football is in a degree of crisis”. This was due to the condition of the pitches and how they were looked after. This was said when the FA were planning to hopefully make at least 100 pitches each year.

So, facilities and coaching is bad, anything else? Ah yes, the decrease of talents with potential making it into trials and academies. The reason grassroots football even exists is because it derives from fun. It was put in place for anyone and everyone to come have a kickabout. Now problem after problem occurs with funding, coaching, training and the fact trophies are more important than getting along with each other.

What Is Grassroots Football Doing Wrong?

Pictured: Teens playing football on a grassroots pitch.

By Mohammed Munaed

Close up of one of the 3g football pitches