The uncomfortable truth about junior football. The hidden reality behind the touchline for managers, parents, officials and play.
Joined May 2023
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A massive thank you to the football legend, @RealRomfordPele - Ray Parlour for supporting the book. Thank you also for the positive feedback and messages from so many who have bought it. All over the UK we are hearing about the same issues - your support all helps raise awareness
You can see the scoreline. You can see the goals, the tackles and the final whistle.
But what about the arguments on the touchline? The pressure on volunteer managers? The politics behind team selection? The behaviour adults think children don't notice?
The Accidental Manager explores the side of junior football that rarely makes the match report.
If you're a parent, coach or anyone involved in grassroots football, this is a conversation worth having.
Get your copy now: theaccidentalmanager.uk/
#TheAccidentalManager #JuniorFootball #GrassrootsFootball #YouthFootball #FootballParents
The parents. The pressure. The politics.
The Accidental Manager. The uncomfortable truth about junior football.
Only available from our website: theaccidentalmanager.uk/
#TheAccidentalManager #JuniorFootball #GrassrootsFootball #YouthFootball #FootballParents @talkSPORT
The Accidental Manager retweeted
If you’re involved in any way, or thinking of getting involved, with youth football this is an excellent book that would be a great stocking filler with Christmas around the corner. And I’m not being paid to say this either 😂
The parents. The pressure. The politics.
The Accidental Manager. The uncomfortable truth about junior football.
Only available from our website: theaccidentalmanager.uk/
#TheAccidentalManager #JuniorFootball #GrassrootsFootball #YouthFootball #FootballParents @talkSPORT
The Accidental Manager retweeted
What should you do if your child enjoys football but rarely gets picked?
I am not blaming volunteer coaches and there are plenty of things to consider:
• Squad sizes can vary.
• Children may miss training.
• Matches are competitive, and coaches have decisions to make (Age-group dependent)
If the same children are regularly getting very little playing time, what are they really gaining from being part of the team?
Many young players build confidence, learn and enjoy football through playing matches. If they spend most weekend's sitting on the sidelines, it wouldn't surprise me if some eventually lose interest.
So who should take responsibility for changing this?
→ The coach?
→ The parents?
→ The club?
→ Or should it be a shared responsibility?
I'd be interested to hear from coaches, parents and club officials. What do you think is a fair and practical way to address this?
One has 114 charges.
The other has a parent emailing the league. 😂⚽
#TheAccidentalManager #ManCity #GrassrootsFootball #FootballParents #FootballMemes
The Accidental Manager retweeted
For every grassroots player still finding their feet, Harry Kane is an inspiration. ⚽️❤️
He wasn’t an overnight success. His journey took patience, loan spells and hard work.
A reminder that you don’t have to be the star at 10 to achieve something special. Keep learning, keep enjoying it and keep going. 👏
There's a difference between wanting your child to improve and wanting them to be the best player on the pitch.
But sometimes the pressure seems to go beyond development.
The goals. The position. The praise. The comparisons.
Is healthy ambition turning into competition between parents?
#TheAccidentalManager #GrassrootsFootball #JuniorFootball #FootballParents #YouthFootball @talkSPORT
One has a charge sheet.
The other has a WhatsApp voice note. 😂
#GrassrootsFootball #TeamGrassroots #FootballJokes #FootballMeme
Imagine being the intern asked to print that lot. 😂
#TheAccidentalManager #ManCity #FootballMemes #GrassrootsFootball
The Accidental Manager retweeted
Not every player will experience the same session in the same way.
Before you coach, ask yourself:
⤷ What might one player need from me that another might not?
Around one in five children may have some form of neurodivergence, SEND or additional need.
Thread 🧵
What happens when the adults around junior football lose sight of why the children are there?
The Accidental Manager is based on real experiences from years spent managing at grassroots level.
It doesn't pretend everything is perfect.
It looks at the arguments, pressure, behaviour, politics and uncomfortable moments that happen away from the football itself.
You might agree with it. You might disagree with it. But you’ll recognise most of it: theaccidentalmanager.uk/
#TheAccidentalManager #GrassrootsFootball #JuniorFootball #FootballCulture #FootballParents
A manager makes a decision about their child.
The parent strongly disagrees.
At what point, if any, should the parent be able to step in? Actually challenge the decision and expect it to change?
Should parents have that power?
Or does that undermine the manager’s role?
#TheAccidentalManager #JuniorFootball #GrassrootsFootball #FootballParents #GrassrootsCoach
Your child loves their teammates. They love playing football. But you feel the manager has favourites, communication is poor and your concerns aren't being taken seriously.
Do you stay because your child is happy with their friends?
Do you leave because you believe they deserve better?
Or do you give the club one chance to put things right?
Grassroots football is about more than results. But how much should parents put up with for the sake of their child’s team?
Tell us where you draw the line.
#TheAccidentalManager #GrassrootsFootball #JuniorFootball #FootballParents #YouthFootball
Funny how seriously football takes the paperwork… depending on the paperwork. 👀
#TheAccidentalManager #ManCity #GrassrootsFootball #FootballCulture
The Accidental Manager retweeted
💬 ''“It can get confusing when lots of people are telling you what to do.” - U14s player''
#grassrootsfootball ⚽
