🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 24

"Grassroots Pre-Season: What Really Matters Before the Whistle Blows"

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Go Football Podcast, your trusted voice in grassroots football, hosted by Steve — a coach who’s been in the trenches and knows what makes grassroots tick.

This week, we dive into the pre-season period: the most underrated and misunderstood part of the football calendar. Whether you’re a coach looking to build a team that’s ready for the season, or a player looking to catch a coach’s eye, this episode is loaded with practical insight, personal experience, and real talk from the grassroots level.

⚽️ What This Episode Covers:

🧠 For Coaches:

Pre-season isn’t about the results on the scoreboard — it’s about building the foundations for your team’s success throughout the season. Steve breaks down exactly what coaches should focus on in July and August:

✅ Assessing fitness & sharpness without burning players out

✅ Testing formations, partnerships, and tactical changes

✅ Giving game time to trialists or new signings

✅ Building match fitness and improving decision-making

✅ Spotting the early signs of leaders and team culture

✅ Practising set pieces, transitions, and in-game challenges

Plus, Steve shares lessons from previous episodes, Episode 14 - Fitness in Football & Episode 15 - Tactics vs Basics — all linked to how teams prepare mentally and tactically.

🔥 For Players:

This episode is packed with tips for players who want to stand out in pre-season, especially if they’re:

Joining a new team

Hoping to play more minutes this year

Preparing for trials in grassroots clubs

What coaches are looking for in a player

Here’s what Steve recommends:

⚡ Turn up fit and focused — but don’t overtrain

⚡ Show that you’re coachable: listen, adapt, communicate

⚡ Mindset is a must - be positive and have a good workrate

⚡ Help your teammates, talk, and lead — even if you’re quiet

⚡ Be consistent across friendlies and training — not just one game

Steve also discusses how coaches really judge players, and why some talented kids fall short — while others with the right mentality go far.

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💬 We Want to Hear From You!

Got a pre-season tip, success story, or nightmare? We want to feature your stories in upcoming episodes.

📩 Email: gofootballpod@gmail.com

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📸 Instagram: @go_football_coaching/

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📘 Facebook: @Go-Football-Coaching

We’ll shout out the best stories in future shows!

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 23: JPL vs Grassroots – What’s the Real Difference?

In Episode 23 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve dives deep into one of the hottest debates in youth football: Junior Premier League (JPL) vs Grassroots Football. Is the JPL a better standard? Is it really worth the cost and commitment? Most importantly, is there a genuine pathway to the professional game from either route?

We explore the differences in coaching quality, competition level, player development, and the realities behind youth football pathways. Hear what coaches, parents, and referees really think about JPL and grassroots football and which environment might be best for your young player.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, player, or grassroots football fan, this episode gives you the insights you need to make informed decisions and understand the true landscape of youth football in England.

💬 We want to hear from YOU!

Got your own experiences or opinions about JPL or grassroots football? Drop us an email at gofootballpod@gmail.com or send us a message on our socials! Your stories and questions might feature in upcoming episodes.

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#GrassrootsFootball #JuniorPremierLeague #JPLvsGrassroots #YouthFootball #FootballPathways #FootballDevelopment #FootballCoaching #SundayLeague #FootballPodcast #GoFootballPodcast #FootballParents #FootballTraining #YouthSports #FootballCommunity #FootballSkills #FootballDebate #FootballOpportunities #FootballJourney #FootballTalent #FootballFuture #FootballTalk

🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 22: Tournament Season

Dive into the full thrill ride of tournament season in this high-energy episode of the Go Football Podcast! With finals, short formats, and nonstop action, it’s an emotional roller-coaster for coaches, parents, players—and we’ve got the ultimate guide to help you navigate it.

🔍

Do’s and Don’ts for Coaches & Parents

How to support your player through the highs and lows—without losing perspective. Learn the top behaviours to embrace (team-first mindset, calm sideline presence, encouragement) and what to avoid (over-coaching, sideline pressure, unrealistic expectations).

Emotional Guide for Players

Preparing minds as well as bodies: we explore how to help players handle buzz, nerves, team glitches, golden-goals and mini heartbreaks.

Tournament Preparation Tips

From rotation plans and hydration routines to surprise snacks and sleep strategies—stay ready all weekend.

Exclusive Offer – Laceeze Laceless Football Boots

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Listener Shoutouts

We want to hear about your tournament triumphs! Send in your stories, scores, or funny moments via email—get a shoutout next week.

🎧 Tune In & Stay Ahead:

Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and CasterBox, and search “Go Football Podcast” to subscribe.

📩 Tell us about your tournament wins, moments of pride, or lessons learned at gofootballpod@gmail.com—your stories will be featured in the next episode!

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 21: The SEND Coach with Emma

Inclusion, Understanding & Coaching with Care in Grassroots Football

In this very special episode of the Go Football Podcast, we welcome Emma, a passionate and experienced grassroots coach who talks inspiritingly about coaching children with SEND. 🎧⚽

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this episode is packed with real insights and practical tips to help you understand how to create an inclusive, supportive, and fun football environment for all children – no matter their needs.

🧠 We explore:

• ​What is SEND and how does it show up on the football pitch?
• The biggest myths and challenges in coaching SEND players
• How to communicate effectively with both players and parents
• Easy and powerful ways to adapt your sessions for inclusion
• How SEND coaching benefits everyone – not just the child with additional needs
• Real stories from the grassroots game and Emma’s hands-on experience

💬 If you’ve ever asked:

“How can I coach a child with autism or ADHD?”

“What does an inclusive football session look like?”

“How do I make sure my team is supportive of ALL players?”

—then this episode is for you.

📩 Get in touch: Email us at GoFootballPod@gmail.com to share your own experiences, ask a question, or suggest future topics!

🎧 Listen now on:

Spotify

Amazon Music

YouTube

Or wherever you get your podcasts!

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 20: Development Coach vs Sales Coach: The Poacher

In this hot-topic episode of the Go Football Podcast, we dive into the growing divide in grassroots football between development-focused coaches and sales-driven ‘poacher’ coaches. What really separates the coach who builds a player from the ground up… and the one who just poaches talent for results?

💬 We tackle burning questions like:

What defines a development coach in grassroots football?

Who are the sales coaches – and why do they often focus on winning over player progress?

Why do so many coaches and parents claim to have had a trial at West Ham? 👀⚒️

Is the pressure to win pushing coaches to recruit rather than develop?

How does player poaching hurt team morale and long-term success?

We also hear real stories from the pitch, and give tips for players and parents trying to spot the difference between genuine growth opportunities and flashy sales pitches.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platforms:

Spotify

Amazon Music

YouTube

📩 Got a story or thought to share? Email us at GoFootballPod@gmail.com – we’d love to hear your views!

📲 Don’t forget to follow us on socials and drop a comment wherever you’re listening.

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 19: WHY DO PARENTS BECOME COACHES?

Welcome back to the Go Football Podcast – the home of grassroots football conversations for coaches, players, referees and parents! In Episode 19, we explore a topic that hits close to home for so many teams across the UK: Why do parents become coaches?

Whether it’s filling a gap, stepping up out of love for the game, or wanting to help their child’s team succeed, parent-coaches are at the heart of grassroots football. But is it always a smooth journey? This week, we discuss the motivations behind parents becoming football coaches, the benefits they bring to the pitch, and the challenges they face – from managing relationships with players and other parents to coaching their own children and navigating expectations from all sides.

🎯 In this episode, we’ll cover:

• ​The most common reasons why parents step into coaching roles
• ​The pressures and rewards of coaching your own child
• ​How to maintain fairness and professionalism as a parent-coach
• ​Building trust with players and fellow parents
• ​How the grassroots coaching landscape is shaped by parent involvement
• ​How clubs can better support and develop parent-coaches

📩 Got an opinion or story to share? Want to tell us what coaching means to you? Get in touch via email at: gofootballpod@gmail.com

🖥️ Don’t forget to listen and subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

Check out https://laceeze.co.uk/?ref=GoFootballPod or use the discount code “ GoFootballPod “ at the checkout!

📈 Perfect for:

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📣

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🎧 Available now – hit play, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating or review to support the show.

🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 18: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" ft. Kev Weir

In this week's exciting episode of the Go Football Podcast, we welcome special guest Kev Weir, a highly respected figure in grassroots football. Together, we dive into some of the most important questions for players and parents as the season comes to a close:

⚽ “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

Are you thinking about sticking with your current team or making a move? We discuss what to consider before switching clubs — development, game time, enjoyment, and progression.

🧠 “Is This Team Right for Me?”

We break down how to evaluate if a team matches your goals, ability, and values — for players and parents.

🧑‍🏫 “What Do Coaches Really Expect?”

We talk about realistic expectations from grassroots coaches – covering respect, attendance, effort, and communication from both players and parents.

🏆 “Awards Night – What Really Matters?”

As the season ends, we explore the best types of end-of-season awards. From “Most Improved” to “Players’ Player,” we talk about how to celebrate every player’s contribution — not just top scorers.

This episode is packed with insightful advice, real-world coaching experience, and tips for players, parents, and grassroots coaches as we all prepare for the new season ahead.

📧 Get in Touch:

We’d love to hear your thoughts — email us at gofootballpod@gmail.com or send us a message via social media.

🎧 Listen and Watch Now:

Available on:

Spotify

Amazon Music

YouTube

Don’t forget to follow, like, and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 17

"Parents on the Sideline – Support or Pressure?"

This week on the Go Football Podcast, we’re tackling one of the biggest grassroots talking points: Are parents helping or hurting the game from the sideline?

We explore the powerful impact of parental behavior during matches, from emotional support and encouragement to the unintended pressure that can disrupt development and enjoyment.

Are shouts from the touchline boosting young players—or just causing confusion? We discuss:

The difference between positive support and performance pressure

Real stories from the pitch

Initiatives like Silent Sidelines

What clubs, coaches and parents can do to create a better football experience

🎧 Listen to how sideline behavior is shaping the grassroots game in both good and challenging ways.

🧠 Also in this episode:

On The Pitch – a sideline moment that was one of my best compliments as a coach

🎯 Trivia Corner – some stats from Loughborough Uni on the impact of sideline comments

🧠 Coach’s Perspective

✅ How Sideline Support Can Help

🎧 Listen Now On:

Spotify – Go Football Podcast

Amazon Music – Go Football Podcast

YouTube – Go Football Podcast

📩 We want to hear from you!

Got a sideline story or opinion? Email us at gofootballpod@gmail.com or message us on socials @GoFootballPodcast

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