Pat Mancini

At 12 Beckham was told “You’re too small, not strong enough & will never play for your country” 🎥 Credit / BBC

@BedsFA @BHWGFL @WF_East @WomensFootyNet

A special message from Mary! 💌

Tomorrow we host @hanslopefc in our last game of 2023 been a few weeks since we’ve had a game so looking forward to it #upthewav

A LETTER FROM A COACH TO THEIR CHILD. Dear son / daughter, I am sorry that you have to share me, That my time isn’t focused on you, I am sorry you are hanging around after, Still waiting when the matches are through. I know everyone else has gone home now, I know that you are standing right there, I know you were here extra early, Believe me when I tell you I care. Listen…… I see all the tricks you pull off in the game, I see how you move, Hearing me calling your name, You look at me smiling waiting to hear the big cheer, But you know how I am careful, For the word “favoritism” will appear. When watching the team and doing my best, I see how you eagerly, Wish you were just like the rest, Able to have me all to yourself, There to support YOU and nobody else. You see all my worries and stresses alone, You see me and hear me when Iam planning at home, We never can cancel, Or have a random week off, When you want a sudden change of plans, The coaching it can never stop. You sacrifice a lot, many others never see, Being the coaches son or daughter, Is not all its cut out to be, You don’t really get privileges, If anything you get much less, Much more pressure is on you, To consistently be trying your best. It’s not always easy being a coaches son or daughter, It’s not really all about them getting more, They sacrifice a lot, and share a bond that they have, In a game that they love and adore. ( Written from the heart of a coach who has heard the words from their child “please just come to watch me. No more coaching “) 😞 E.T.W. Do these words sound true or familiar to other coaches ???

Coaching isn’t just the hour at training, and the hour at a match. It’s the hour early arrival to the venue to walk the pitch to check it’s safe, litter pick, (occasionally even pick up dog 💩 because no one wants to slide in that!). It’s setting up the goals, untangling and setting up the respect barrier, planning positions and game play on the side line before any of the players have arrived. It’s dedication to 10-15 children that don’t belong to you, but who you support, care for and cheer for as hard as your own. It’s tough, frustrating, soul destroying at times. But it is always outweighed by the successes, even when you are 3-0 down and it’s hammering down with rain. The child who you know is struggling who makes an amazing pass, it’s the unexpected goal and all of the kids pile on each other in celebration. It’s the near miss and the support of the other kids to say “it’s okay” to a soul detroyed player who missed. And do you know what, we don’t always get it right. But please understand, we try our best, in a role that is volunteered, which is often forgotten. Don’t underestimate the amount of time and dedication it takes to be a coach. That person turns up for your child every week regardless of what’s going on in their own lives / how busy they are. They give up their own time for them. (Picture snapped 45 mins before his team were due to arrive, his pitch was set up and he was planning the formation for the game). Wyre Juniors Football Club #grassroots #youthfootball #teamgrassroots

The #Lionesses success has been recognised with a sizeable fund from DCMS and the FA, prioritising women's and girls' teams across England. #BBCFootball

@Teamgrassroots_ Ashley is a an absolute star⭐️

I would like to nominate Ashley Buttress, Ashley is my son Ryan's manager. Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia at 4 years old, at this time Ryan was coaching him, Ryan also lost all ability to walk and was extremely poorly. Even through all the bad times his love for football never wavered, this was his lifeline and his love. Ashley could have easily recruited and waited for Ryan to come back. He didn't, he gave my son the most support any parent could have ever asked for, Ashley and the team encouraged him and helped him walk again, day by day, month by month Ashley and the team were there. They didn't have to be, but he kept saying. We're a team through the good and bad and we will get him back on a pitch. Slowly but surely he began to walk again, unsteadily at first but with the strength of his team he got stronger, with Ashley's help he began to run, he began to believe, and then with the Drs help Ryan got back on a pitch. It wasn't easy, not just for Ryan for us all including Ashley. He played for 2 years with a line in his chest undergoing chemo and steroids, but not once was he treated any different to his team. As long as I live the support from this amazing team and specifically Ashley will never be forgotten. Ashley you are the October's Grassroots Manager of the Month powered by @UtilitaFootball

@crespo_lluis Love this attitude !👍🏻

Hay vídeos que tienen que ver la luz de forma continuada, que no pueden quedar en el olvido. Aquí tenéis 1 minuto que deberíais escuchar todas las personas que os dedicáis o formáis parte del ecosistema del deporte base.

🚨 Help wanted Every team needs a ref who has supersonic eye sight and can see everything from all angles. A ref who never makes a mistake and makes every decision correctly that suits everyone. Unfortunately there’s only one place to find this level of perfection in a ref, And it’s usually on the sidelines, it’s the person who’s too busy shouting abuse to the ones who are actually brave enough to do the job ! #EnoughisEnough

At 13 yrs old Annabel had her leg amputated as a result of cancer, after 2 years tonight she came HOME. Show some massive grassroots love for the inspiration that is ⤵️ @TheAnnabelKiki

#Shoutout to my son Ben. He’s 8 years old. He has a rare genetic disorder whereby he cannot regulate his body temperature and has other health issues. But he never gives up and always gives his best to the games His team played fantastic. Ben is the goal keeper and he saved loads of shots on target, he also got MOTM! We are forever proud of him. #TeamGrassroots #Grassrootsfootball #GRF

🗣️ Grassroots Remembers 2023, the 11th & 12th of November, we will remember them. I will wear this to remember my past, I will wear this to remember the fallen, I will wear this out of respect, I will wear this lest we forget.

The actual speed everyone runs away from a coach trying to find a volunteer to run the line 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Appreciation post from Tupsley Girls This man should be knighted for his dedication and devotion to grassroots football. Whatever the weather he turns out to support his grandchildren... and referees every game. He's always got a whistle in his pocket ! A true gentleman who loves and supports girls football in Herefordshire. Thank you Dave Jones. #grassrootshero