It's Only Kids Football

Ben Welch and Mike Clark
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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. 2D AGO

    The Premier League Insider who now manages under-7s

    What happens when a football insider with 165,000 followers, Premier League contacts and a career around the game ends up managing his son’s Under-7s team? In this honest conversation, Ben and Mike, meet the man behind the famous @ExWHUEmployee X (Twitter) account joins the podcast to reveal the emotional rollercoaster of grassroots football. From overthinking line-ups and man-of-the-match decisions to the unexpected joy of watching kids score their first goals, this episode dives into the psychology, pressure and pride of coaching your own child. It’s funny, brutally honest and surprisingly relatable. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo 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.

    1h 11m

  2. MAR 2

    When kids want to quit: Tough love or sympathy?

    Ben and Mike deliver an honest reflection on the reality of being a football dad, diving into the difficult balance between coaching a player and raising a son. They explore stoicism, discussing how to handle your emotions and unrealistic expectations. The conversation gets raw as they break down a gut-wrenching defeat played in "war zone" conditions, questioning why some losses stay with a coach longer than they do with the players. They challenge every parent to look in the mirror and ask: "Are you gutted for them, or are you just gutted for you?" Beyond the mindset, they share practical coaching strategies to keep kids focused, from eliminating downtime during sessions to using 6-4-2 ball mastery to build a child’s skill and confidence. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Save £200 on the Veo Cam 3 👉 Use Code: iokfveocam3 Save 50% on the Veo Go 👉 Use Code: iokfveogo Arne Slot's sport psychologist on how you can develop your child's mental skills: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/lt/podcast/arne-slots-sport-psychologist-on-how-you-can-develop/id1761618341?i=1000679710829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gi0qhWx1DogaXhNaHr8jE?si=WSSO0n2kTJeCJInBkMv96A 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.

    1h 17m

  3. FEB 23

    Academy coaches reveal what grassroots football must fix now

    In this unfiltered episode, former academy coaches Michael Fox and Olly Porteous join Ben and Mike to tackle the biggest issues facing grassroots football right now. From 3v3 formats, silent weekends and heading bans to kick-ins, league tables and parent behaviour, the conversation goes beyond surface-level opinions and into what’s actually helping — and what might be quietly harming — player development. Are we overcorrecting youth football? Are rule changes solving the real problem? And is adult behaviour, not structure, the issue that needs fixing most? Drawing on years inside academy systems and grassroots environments, Fox and Porteous break down what needs to change, what needs to be protected and why balance—not extremes—is the key to developing confident, resilient young players. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Book a call with a VEO expert: https://get.veo.co/iokfootball Olly Porteous: https://www.instagram.com/ollyporteous/ Michael Fox: https://www.instagram.com/foxmic15/ Fox Academy: https://www.instagram.com/f.o.x.football.academy/ 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.

    56 min

  4. FEB 16

    Why your child doesn’t need a “Braveheart” pep talk

    Ben and Mike are joined in the studio by Josh Paul, the social media powerhouse behind @fit_4_football to dissect the parental pre-game pep talk. Josh reveals why giving technical instructions to a young child is not only ineffective but also ignores the reality of how children actually learn and play. The conversation explores the dangers of comparing grassroots players to the "wonder kids" seen in highly edited social media clips. From managing chaotic training sessions to using professional players as positive role models, this episode is a deep dive into keeping the pressure low and the fun high. Ben and Mike get honest about their own past coaching mistakes and why the most important job a parent has is simply being their child's biggest fan. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Get FREE delivery when you spend over £100 at https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ using code IOKFFD — but hurry, it ends at midnight on March 31st, 2026. Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Book a call with a VEO expert: https://get.veo.co/iokfootball 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.

    1h 17m

  5. FEB 9

    Ex-Manchester United player reveals how to build confident young footballers

    In this episode, Ben and Mike are joined by John Curtis — former Manchester United player and founder of NCE Soccer — for a wide-ranging conversation on what really drives youth football development. John reflects on his own journey from grassroots football to Manchester United, sharing how early environments, coaching culture, and emotional support shape confident, resilient players. Drawing on his experiences in elite academies and now working in the US, he explains why many development systems prioritise results, money, and status over long-term growth — and the damage this can cause to young players’ belief and enjoyment. The discussion dives into coaching children at different ages, managing emotions when confidence dips, the challenges of parent-coaches and positional changes. John also outlines the philosophy behind NCE Soccer, how it differs from traditional club models, and what aligned players, parents, and coaches can achieve when development — not winning — is the priority. Benny is 4 years old 💙 and fighting stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. His family are raising funds for life-saving CAR-T cell therapy in Rome. Follow his journey: https://www.instagram.com/stand_by_benny/. Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/benjaminahmanizad Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Book a call with a VEO expert: https://get.veo.co/iokfootball 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.

    1h 4m

  6. FEB 2

    ⁠Why your kid listens to other coaches (but not you)

    Ben and Mike tackle one of grassroots football’s biggest false divides: the idea that fun and development can’t coexist. From debates around training more than once a week and mixed-ability teams, to the realities of repetition, confidence-building and unseen work away from the pitch, they unpack what actually helps kids improve — and enjoy the game more. The conversation weaves through emotional challenges of coaching your own child, managing expectations of volunteer coaches, the role of parents in development, and why creating the right environment matters more than results. They also dig into a question that frustrates almost every parent-coach: why your child seems to listen intently to other coaches but completely switch off when it’s you speaking? Through personal experience and reflection, they explore how familiarity can dilute authority, how unconditional love removes consequences, and how emotion — even when unintentional — changes the way messages land. It’s an honest look at why being both parent and coach is uniquely hard, and why the answer isn’t better instructions, but better awareness. Benny is 4 years old 💙 and fighting stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. His family are raising funds for life-saving CAR-T cell therapy in Rome. Follow his journey: https://www.instagram.com/stand_by_benny/. Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/benjaminahmanizad Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no nonsense, no hard sell, just reliable teamwear that arrives on time and looks the part on matchday: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/ LoveAdmin takes the admin off your plate so you can spend more time coaching and less time chasing parents: https://loveadmin.com/ Book a call with a VEO expert: https://get.veo.co/iokfootball 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.

    1h 14m

  7. JAN 26

    The retreat rule: Is it helping or hurting player development?

    In this episode, Ben and Mike welcome back Michael Fox, former Peterborough United academy coach and now head coach at Focusing on Excellence Football Academy, to tackle one of grassroots football’s most debated topics: playing out from the back. Drawing on his first season coaching in grassroots, Michael shares how academy principles can work at under-9s and under-10s level—despite the retreat rule, mixed ability squads and limited game time. The conversation explores how to teach children to stay calm under pressure, use goalkeepers effectively, create overloads and understand space without overwhelming them with tactics. They also dive into emotional regulation on the sidelines, why consistency in coaching behaviour matters more than results, and how simple language, repetition and visual cues help players learn faster. Along the way, Michael explains concepts like “fishing passes,” starting again, and why mistakes at the back are a necessary part of long-term development. The episode finishes with a wider discussion on mindset—what separates academy players from grassroots, whether resilience can be coached, and why helping kids enjoy learning the game matters far more than winning on a Sunday morning. Use code IOKF10 and get 10% OFF at www.discountfootballkits.com — the UK’s longest-established specialist supplier of discounted branded football kits, accessories and footballs.
Offer ends midnight, 31st January 2026 Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Connect with Olly Porteous: https://withme.so/Ollyporteous 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.

    1h 9m

  8. JAN 19

    Why parents need to stop blaming the coach

    Ben and Mike reflect on a weekend that sharpened one of the biggest truths in grassroots football: coaches can guide, but parents carry the real responsibility for a child’s development. As training resumes after the Christmas break, the focus is on repetition, patience and building habits — passing, movement and decision-making that only improve through consistent exposure. The session reinforces a hard reality: one hour a week with a volunteer coach will never be enough on its own. The pair recount their interclub face-off with Leigh Ramblers Greens and from there, the conversation widens. Ben and Mike challenge the growing tendency to blame coaches for a child’s lack of progress, particularly in mixed-ability teams. They discuss confidence, belief, physical development and the unseen work that happens away from training — and why expecting a volunteer to “fix” everything in 45 minutes a week is both unrealistic and unfair. Use code IOKF10 and get 10% OFF at www.discountfootballkits.com — the UK’s longest-established specialist supplier of discounted branded football kits, accessories and footballs.
Offer ends midnight, 31st January 2026 Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ 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.

    53 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
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ben Welch
  • Show Website
    It's Only Kids Football

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