In this episode, former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray joins Ben to reflect on his childhood in grassroots football, the memories that shaped him and the pure joy of playing with friends before the pressures of the professional game took over.

He opens up about the car-ride home truths that built his resilience, the emotional tightrope parents walk, and why honest feedback matters — but only when delivered with care. Glenn also reveals what he’s like on the touchline watching his own sons play, how he navigates being “the professional in the crowd,” and why modern youth football sometimes forgets its purpose.

Glenn Murray is the 2025/26 Utilita Kids & Girls Cup ambassador. The annual football competition sees more than 20,000 schoolchildren each year take to the pitch for the chance to represent the 72 EFL Clubs across England and Wales, bolstering the existing ties between Clubs and their local communities.

The Utilita Kids & Girls Cups inspire children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork, while offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium ahead of major EFL finals.

The competition helped discover stars such as Adam Wharton, Jamal Musiala, and Scott McTominay. Find out more here: www.efl.com/competitions/utilita-kids-girls-cup

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Ben and Mike deliver their most emotionally honest episode to date — a rollercoaster through three tough grassroots games, a confidence crisis for both of their sons, a sideline flashpoint and a revealing look at the hidden strain of being a parent-coach.

They talk honestly about shouting, pressure, overthinking, the pain of watching your child struggle and the moments that make you want to walk away from coaching completely. But this isn’t just about their team.

The episode widens into the bigger picture of grassroots football as they break down the results of their new nationwide survey — revealing how widespread sideline abuse, parent tension, lack of volunteer support and emotional burnout really are. From shocking anonymous stories to why coaches feel isolated, under-appreciated and overwhelmed, the survey becomes a backdrop to everything the boys experience on the pitch.

Amid the chaos comes hope: breakthrough conversations, growth in the toughest moments and a reminder that kids’ football is about building resilience, not protecting egos. This episode asks the uncomfortable question all parent-coaches face sooner or later.

Our latest research, in partnership with LoveAdmin and GoCardless, reveals a community full of passion, but stretched thin by patchy support, time, and financial pressure: Read the full report here.

New research highlights the need for calmer, more supportive sidelines in youth football - read more here.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

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In this episode, Ben and Mike welcome Nick Green, Football DNA ambassador and seasoned youth coach with experience across England and Australia, for a deep dive into the emotional and tactical side of coaching young players.

Drawing from his work in academies and grassroots football, Nick shares how to create a positive environment that builds belief and resilience in kids—especially when confidence dips or results don’t go their way. From using reflection and delayed feedback to managing “car-ride emotions” as parent-coaches, the conversation explores how to keep football enjoyable while fostering growth and grit.

Nick also offers practical insights on helping smaller players thrive, developing defensive skills, handling positional challenges and creating club-wide coaching plans that align players, parents, and coaches.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/

Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.