Little Boots, Big Dreams!

In this special end-of-season episode, I welcome Michael Glassock back to reflect on a season that’s been nothing short of transformational. At the start of the year, I had zero plans to return to coaching - just a parent on the touchline. Fast forward to now: I’ve coached my son’s grassroots team, stepped into a Premier League club’s foundation programme, and recently secured a coaching role with...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most misunderstood areas in youth development - strength and conditioning. Joined by Rob Anderson , 2024 UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year & founder of ⁠ The Athlete Academy ⁠, we explore what age-appropriate training really looks like for young footballers aged 5-16. From building movement skills in the early years to introducing resista...

In this episode, I'm joined by grassroots coach Tom to discuss one of the most misunderstood areas of youth football — tactical education . How do we teach tactics in a way that makes sense for a 6-year-old, a 10-year-old, or a 15-year-old? And how can coaches help young players develop a clear team identity , without taking the joy out of the game? We explore: ⚽ How to make tactical concepts age...

In this episode, we explore the psychological journey of young footballers, from their first kicks at U5s through to adolescence. Oliver Spink, a Sport Psychologist (in Doctorate Training) and Founder of One More Sport Psychology , joins me to discuss the emotional needs, mental milestones, and common challenges young players face as they grow and develop. We dive into: ⚽ How psychological stages...

In this episode, we explore the unique challenges of being both a parent and a coach — especially when you're working in elite football settings and your child is on the periphery. Matt Cook, a coach with academy experience and a son playing at a high level of youth football, joins me to talk about the emotional juggling act of wearing both hats. From managing perceptions of favouritism to nav...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tracy Lewis , an expert in physiotherapy with years of experience supporting elite athletes — including her time as Head of Physiotherapy for The Women’s National Team at The FA . We dive into the key physical development considerations for young footballers aged 5–16, exploring the most common injuries , how to spot signs of overtraining , and the crucial differen...

Founded in 1886, Headcorn Football Club has transformed from two adult teams and a single junior side to a thriving community of 14 youth teams, a girls’ programme, and a clear mission focused on development, inclusion, and fun. We sit down with the people behind the scenes to talk about their incredible growth, their ethos around equal game time, how they’re tackling poor sideline behaviour, and...

In this episode, we’re joined by Perry Cocking - who has worked with talents like Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott . With experience in youth and first-team settings , Perry has also scouted for professional clubs, authored Did You Win, Did You Score? - founded Pezzaz Street Soccer , and hosts The Inner Huddle Podcast . We dive into how football coaching has evolved over the years, the ongoing battle...

Why do some young players thrive under pressure while others crumble? Why do certain coaches and parents help kids develop resilience while others unknowingly hold them back? In this episode, we're joined by Michael Glassock , a career and life coach and mindset expert, to explore the power of a growth mindset - not just in football, but in life. We’ll break down how a fixed vs. growth mindset...

⚽ Football should be for everyone. But for many neurodiverse players, the traditional football setup can be a challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Dan, Chairman of Autistic FC , to explore how his club is breaking down barriers and creating a truly inclusive environment for autistic players. 🔹 How & why Autistic FC was founded 🔹 The struggles neurodiverse players face in mainstream...

Managing a grassroots football team isn’t just about kicking a ball around on a Saturday—it’s a rollercoaster of parent politics, player development, league logistics, and unexpected side-line drama . In this episode, I’m joined by grassroots coach Joe to talk about the reality of running a team , from the joys of watching kids develop to the absolute chaos that sometimes unfolds. We discuss: ⚽ T...

Are you coaching the right skills at the right time? In this episode, we explore the technical side of age-appropriate coaching and how to develop young footballers effectively. Breaking down the FA Four Corner Model , I focus on technical development across different age groups, from ball mastery for U5s to high-intensity match realism for U14+ . I’ll cover: ⚽ What "technical ability"...

In this episode, I’m joined by a former professional footballer and his grandson to explore how the game has evolved across generations. We dive into the ex-pro’s memories of grassroots football and his journey through the game, comparing it to the experiences of his grandson in today’s youth football landscape. How has coaching, competition, and player development changed? What lessons from the p...

Football is more than just skills and tactics - it’s about teamwork, friendships, and personal growth. In this episode of Little Boots, Big Dreams , we explore how social development changes at different ages and what coaches can do to create a positive and inclusive team environment. Tune in and hear about: ⚽ How you should be communicating with each age group ⚽ Helping shy players to feel incl...

Matchdays in youth football are anything but predictable - players in dreamworld, spectators shouting at the ref from the sidelines and the occasional missing shin pad! In this episode of Little Boots, Big Dreams , we dive into the madness of matchdays and explore the biggest challenges coaches and parents face every weekend. From keeping young players focused to managing overenthusiastic parents...

In this debut episode, we introduce Little Boots, Big Dreams , a podcast for parents who double as weekend football (soccer) coaches or have kids that are involved with a weekend team. Join us as we share the inspiration behind the show, highlight the joys and challenges of coaching kids, and preview what’s to come in future episodes. From hilarious matchday moments to practical coaching tips, thi...