It's Only Kids Football

Ben Welch and Mike Clark
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It's Only Kids Football

Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad. He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football. It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football. Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Arne Slot's sport psychologist on how you can develop your child's mental skills

    This week, Ben and Mike bring in a guest guaranteed to change your perspective. Our clueless duo welcomes renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to the pod. Having worked with elite players and coaches like Arne Slot, Gareth Bale and Eddie Howe, Dan is here to help us coach from the sidelines—without emotionally scarring our kids in the process. He shares practical, actionable advice to boost both your performance and your child’s, from mastering your Game Face to squashing ANTs and creating your own Coach’s Head. They dive into the challenges of coaching young players, the psychological tools to build confidence and resilience, plus stories of sideline meltdowns, Brighton academy thrashings and the ultimate no-no: starting a car journey with, “So… how do you think you played?” If you’re a regular listener, you know the drill: tune in for laughs, honest confessions, and surprisingly good advice. And if you’re new, buckle up. Because remember, It's Only Kids' Football… but it’s also the most important thing ever. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    50 min

  2. DEC 2

    This valuable lesson helped our sons perform at their best

    In Episode 18, Ben and Mike relive the highs and lows of their latest two games, which left them planning European tours and doing victory dances in the kitchen. Then, it’s a reality check as their boys step up to face Brighton’s academy team—spoiler: it wasn’t pretty, but the lessons hit harder than the tackles. While Ben starts to show signs of listening to his son and learning to ease off, Mike struggles to contain his frustration, bringing about some much-needed introspection. There are candid confessions about coaching errors, debates over pushing vs. praising, and discussions on the importance of stepping back so the kids can shine. Plus, there’s the introduction of a new ‘Teammate of the Week’ award and how a sneaky Burger King took the sting out of a challenging car journey home. It’s another rollercoaster of footballing emotions and a reminder that, win or lose, it’s still only kids’ football… right? TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    55 min

  3. NOV 25

    Ex-Prem Star: Nutrition secrets every parent should know

    This week, Ben and Mike sit down with ex-Premier League star Marc Pugh—once a flying winger, now the king of kale. While Mike confesses his love for Burger King, Marc reveals the secrets behind his Spartan lifestyle and a six-pack that could double as a washboard. They dive into nutrition, rejection and why your kid's Cheerios might be sabotaging their shot at glory. Marc also shares tales from his grassroots days, breaking records and catching the attention of scouts. If you’ve ever wondered what your little star should eat before, during and after a match—and what to avoid like a red card—this episode is for you. Grab a rice cake, brace for a guilt trip and get ready to rewrite your shopping list. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    46 min

  4. NOV 18

    Can Mike's son impress Premier League scouts?

    Leigh Ramblers Black U8s are back in form and Ben and Mike are absolutely buzzing—well, mostly. While the kids are smashing it on the pitch, the dads are struggling to keep their heads on the sidelines. Alfie’s hit a rough patch and Ben’s convinced it’s all his fault for going full drill sergeant. Can they figure out how to get the best out of Alfie without Ben losing the plot? Meanwhile, Mike’s lad Raph joins goal machine Freddie Lambourne on a dream trip to Crystal Palace’s training ground, aiming to dazzle scouts from the Premier League club. And, as always, Alby steals the show with his trademark mix of madness and charm. Expect goals, gaffes and a hefty dose of goalkeeper chaos. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    44 min

  5. NOV 11

    Matt Jarvis: How my childhood turned me into an England international

    In this episode of It's Only Kids Football, former West Ham and Wolves winger Matt Jarvis joins hosts Ben Welch and Mike Clark to share his journey from grassroots football to the heights of the Premier League—and now, back on the sidelines as a supportive dad. The England international opens up about the unique experience of being raised by elite athlete parents and how it’s influenced his own approach to guiding his son in sport. Jarvis reflects on his early sporting experiences, his family’s dedication and the lessons he's learned about balancing commitment with keeping football fun. The hosts chime in with relatable stories of their own ups and downs as fathers and amateur coaches. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    42 min

  6. NOV 4

    Essential advice for parents navigating the academy system

    With Mike living it up in Dubai, Ben is left to hold down the fort alongside Adam, the dad of Leigh Ramblers’ very own grassroots Gazza, Ollie. They dive into the team's recent triumphs—two wins in a row—featuring Alby’s chaotic antics and Freddie’s match-winning heroics. Ben candidly shares the ups and downs of being a parent-coach and how it’s tested his relationship with his son, Alfie. They also reminisce about the hilarious moment Ollie sent a football cannoning into Ben’s head right in the middle of a team talk. Adam provides valuable advice for parents navigating the world of pro academies as he supports two of his sons in the pursuit of their dreams.  Together, they discuss the challenge of fostering good habits without squeezing the joy out of play. Adam also shares his experience as a sideline spectator, witnessing all the drama of the matches—and the emotional rollercoaster endured by Ben. If you’ve ever wondered what grassroots football truly looks like, this episode offers an honest and entertaining peek behind the curtain. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball 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.

    49 min

  7. OCT 28

    How to support your child after a poor performance

    Join host Ben Welch in this fun and heartfelt episode as he sits down with Dean Russell, the dad behind the viral father-son goalkeeping duo that’s won the hearts of hundreds of thousands on social media and racked up millions of views. Dean shares the journey of capturing his son Ollie’s football adventures—filled with viral saves, on-field tears and heartwarming moments. From meeting Ollie's idols Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya to the real-life challenges of coaching your own kid, Dean doesn’t hold back on the highs, lows, and funny stories of being a football dad. Packed with relatable parenting advice, practical coaching tips and a few laugh-out-loud stories, this episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches and grassroots football fans. The video that helped Ben support Alfie after he made a mistake: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBG3gkjNQd4/ Follow Dean and Ollie on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ollierussellgk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherandsongoalkeeping YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fatherandsongoalkeeping TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  8. OCT 21

    How the parents helped turn our season around: Tactics, teamwork and positivity

    In this episode, Ben and Mike take you through the emotional highs and lows of youth football coaching—complete with sleepless nights, frustrated shouting, and even a bizarre goal.  After three painful defeats, they dive into their pre-game anxiety and the overthinking that kept them tossing and turning. But with a little help from the parents and a return to simple tactics, the team pulled off a thrilling 6-4 win. From Alfie’s occasional daydreaming to Alby’s newfound confidence in goal, Ben and Mike hilariously balance being supportive dads and demanding coaches. They explore the real challenge—managing their expectations while reminding themselves (and their kids) that it’s just a game… sort of. X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball Escape room training drill: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-DSepZo1sj/?igsh=MXdoZWVmdWlzdW1iYw%3D%3D  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
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About

Ben Welch is figuring out how to be a decent kids football coach and a better Dad. He's joined by coaching experts, ex-pros as well as football industry folk and internet friends to help him navigate the minefield of parenting and grassroots kids football. It's meant to be for fun, but sometimes it's hard to remember - It's Only Kids Football. Links: https://linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Welch and Mike Clark
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Welch
  • Show Website
    It's Only Kids Football

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