When I was a mere lad, turning out on a windy Sunday morning, boots in one hand, bottle of Lucozade in the other (a secret Mars Bar hidden in my boot bag), I quickly learned that I wasn't in my coach's plans. I wasn't particularly quick, I was smaller than most of the boys my age and this really counted against me. Never mind that I had better control than most, or could pass the ball with good accuaracy, the bigger boys who could leg it down the wing and then sky the ball into the car park were always picked ahead of me.
The team seemed to go a goal down in most games and rather than a patient possessional game, we were openly encouraged to simply hoof the ball forward by our poorly trained coach and aggressive alpha-male dads. I vividly remember another boys dad running onto the pitch, shaking my arm and screaming in my face when I passed it back to the goalkeeper, who in a moment of madness, saw fit to give the ball to the other team, who ran the ball into the net.
Angry Dads could have been footballers too, if it wasn't for that pesky knee injury
Occasionally, a very good player would grace the team with his presence. He was quick, skillful, strong and scored some outstanding goals for the team. Well, not for the team, for himself. This kid never passed but he was fauned over by the coach, was guaranteed a starting place, despite never turning up for training and showing contempt to his teammates who he openly declared he was better than. The coach put up with this as we sometimes won the game with him the team, but we weren't a better team because of him and this 'winning is everything' attitude doesn't give a chance to late bloomers or those who need longer to develop their skills.
This is a major reason why England (and the rest of the home nations) give such poor showings in major tournaments. Barcelona's dynamic, creative team all appear such humble players, Lionel Messi, the best player in the world plays for his team. Germany and Ajax in Holland consistently produce hardworking, down-to-earth footballers, while English players play with arrogance and poor sportsmanship. These egos start as grassroots.
Another problem is having 22 eight year old boys running round on a full size pitch. On such massive pitches there is no need to worry about first touch, passing or finding space as there is too much time on the ball.
Social issues are becoming a problem as well. Me and my friends have often been asked to disperse from playing football by the police, for what they believe to be antisocial behavior, either due to noise, bad language or footballs flying into people's gardens. At a younger level, parents aren't happy to let their children play in the park without supervision. While a lack of pitches and suitable places to play are also remarked on, even when the above are remedied there are still problems. A floodlit, all weather pitch was built in my town recently, probably at great tax payer expense. However, after complaints for the neighbours the floodlights aren't allowed to be turned on as they shine into their houses. This is ridiculously shortsighted by the planners and petty on behalf of the locals.
In my area, the only half acceptable grass pitches belong to schools and if you try and play there (outside school hours, obviously) the police are almost instantly called. Nearly all parks have rusting posts, bare earth around the goals, holes and ruts throughout the pitch and a conveniently located piles of dog mess waiting to be slid through.
The fees for becoming a referee, a coach or even paying to join a local team are extortionate and hard for any families to afford.
In my next blog I will try and address these issues and try to suggest how to remedy them. Cheers.
