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Artwork for It's Only Kids Football

It's Only Kids Football

Ben Welch and Mike Clark
Grassroots Football
Parenting
Youth Football
Coaching
Kids Football
Youth Coaching
Football Coaching
Youth Sports
Youth Development
Team Dynamics
Coaching Techniques
Football
Child Development
Kids Sports
Underage Football
Player Development
Youth Training
Coaching Strategies
Coaching Dynamics
Resilience

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: linktr.ee/itsonlykidsfootballpodcast

... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes122Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerKids & FamilyParentingSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for It's Only Kids Football

Latest Episodes

In the final episode of this six-part series, Ben and Mike join child development early childhood learning specialist Laura Mellor-Bachman to reveal how grassroots football coaches can build a united front with parents.

The episode addresses the re... more

Ben and Mike relive the Ballers Elite showcase game at Tottenham's training ground, where Ben's frustration watching his son turns into one of his proudest parenting moments. They share a new way of reviewing match clips, asking kids what they were t... more

YouTube

In part five of their coaching masterclass with Little Kickers, Ben and Mike sit down again with early childhood learning specialist Laura Mellor-Bachman to tackle grassroots football's most-asked-about topic: the parent-coach relationship.

Laura e... more

Ben and Mike are back with a double dose of grassroots chaos: tournament tales, a brand new format, and a lot of soul-searching. Their Barking FC tournament run swings from two straight wins to a possible academy-ringer thrashing, before ending in he... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Henrik Teisbæk
Co-founder of Veo, AI-powered sports camera company
Veo
Episode: How AI is about to transform grassroots coaching forever
Laura Mellor-Bachman
Director of Curriculum and Training at Strong Youth Band
Strong Youth Band
Episode: How to give feedback kids will actually listen to
Laura Mellor-Backman
Director of Curriculum and Training
Stronger Youth Brands
Episode: The secret to getting children to listen
Freddie Sears
Former professional footballer (West Ham United, Ipswich Town)
Professional footballer
Episode: Ex-Premier League striker: Why grassroots means more than my pro career
Dan Holman
Goalman founder, specialist striker coach
Goalman
Episode: Help your child score more goals this season
Kudus Oyenuga
CFA lead coach, head of player development
Complete Football Academy
Episode: The secret to raising a mentality monster
Garry Richards
CFA coach, head of operations
Complete Football Academy
Episode: The secret to raising a mentality monster
John Folwell
Head of grassroots coaching at the AFA
AFA (Amateur Football Association)
Episode: Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Michael Fox
Elite academy coach and founder of the Fox Academy
Fox Academy
Episode: Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?

Hosts

Ben Welch
Host of It's Only Kids Football; coaching educator and dad navigating grassroots youth football.
Mike Clark
Co-host and assistant manager; brings coaching and club management perspective to episodes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 144 ratings
  • Learning a lot

    Not sure how I stumbled on to this pod several months ago now, but really pleased I took the time to give a few episodes a listen. Been working my way through the back catalogue and am nearly listening to to all 100 episodes - congratulations boys, fantastic achievement! From a personal point of view it is helping me coach & more importantly parent my 8 & 4 year old sons. Some really great advice & conversations to take stuff from (I’ve made lots of notes!). Appreciate the support, keep it up! ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Silky1979
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • It’s not just me!

    I started listening to this podcast a few months ago when searching for some sort of insight into what it’s like for a fellow grassroots coach in the UK. Although I don’t necessarily agree with everything that Ben and Mike say or do, as an assistant coach it’s refreshing to hear that others are going through the same sort of issues and struggles that we have experienced since taking on our sons’ team three years ago. Whether it’s after a riproaring winner a devastating loss, I find a lot of comf... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    daftpenguin
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Brilliant pod

    Only just discovered this pod so I’m playing catch up (only listened to 2 eps so far) I coach my sons under 10s team so can really relate to a lot that’s being said. Brilliant to hear it’s not just me who give my kid a hard time lol can’t wait to listen to more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wbaste
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Thanks for your honesty

    I have been listening to you guys for about 12 months and you guys are a breath of fresh air in an area that is so important to all parents of young footballers that are doing everything they can to get better. You guys are doing a great service to all of us. Keep it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Finnlikesit
    United States9 months ago
  • Really good insight to how mad you must be to want to coach kids football.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    A Must-Listen for Any Coach or Football Parent!

    This podcast has been an absolute game-changer for me as both a coach and a parent. The hosts do a fantastic job breaking down the game in a way that’s easy to understand, while also offering deep insights into player development, mindset, and teamwork. Every episode gives me something new I can apply on the training pitch or in conversations with my kids about football.

    What I really appreciate is the balance — it’s not just about dri... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A player1983
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Coaches and parents find practical, actionable coaching insights and relatable, honest discussions on sideline dynamics.
Audience feels supported and inspired to improve training, parent interactions, and player development.
Listeners praise the show's balance of humor and real-world guidance for youth football.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#102
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#210
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#102
Australia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#75
Sweden/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#118
United Arab Emirates/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#120
Ireland/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to handle a meltdown without losing control
Q: What should a coach be looking to do when coaching a group and then working with individuals?
Coaches should explain the drill to the group, then tailor individual exchanges by acknowledging each child's processing style, using concise language, and breaking instructions into manageable steps so every kid gets the attention they need.
How to give feedback kids will actually listen to
Q: How should coaches handle mismatches between what a player did and what a coach believes happened?
Coaches should focus on objective observations, check what the player felt and experienced, and use those facts as a basis for constructive discussion rather than confirming their own beliefs.
How to give feedback kids will actually listen to
Q: What is the difference between praise and encouragement, and why does it matter?
Encouragement involves acknowledging effort and supporting the child's emotional experience, while praise alone can feel hollow or prescriptive; the best approach is to notice specifics, ask reflective questions, and avoid over-relying on outward praise.
How to give feedback kids will actually listen to
Q: How does shaping a child's confidence through sport translate to behavior outside of football?
Laura explains that participation in a group sport helps kids feel accepted, valued, and part of something larger, which builds social skills, empathy, and confidence that carry into school and playground interactions.
Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Q: How is goalkeeper development being addressed in a no-goalkeeper 3v3 format?
There is ongoing debate; some see value in ball-playing and training goalkeeping separately, while others worry about long-term development. The FA is consulting goalkeeper coaches and planning resources to support keeping and transition into larger formats.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About It's Only Kids Football

What is It's Only Kids Football about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two coaching hosts navigate the highs and lows of grassroots kids' football, layering practical coaching tips with candid parenting realities. Episodes center on development over winning, parental dynamics on the touchline, and real-world tactics for keeping sessions playful, inclusive, and focused on long-term player growth. Regular guests include former pros, nutrition experts, and grassroots leaders, creating a mix of expert insights and relatable anecdotes that help volunteer coaches and caring parents improve how they support young players. A standout aspect is the show's openness about emotional pressures, balancing equal playing time with development, and using user questions and sponsor integrations to fuel practical, actionable gui... more

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Which podcasts are similar to It's Only Kids Football?

These podcasts share a similar audience with It's Only Kids Football:

1. Stick to Football
2. The Overlap
3. The Good, The Bad & The Football
4. Rio Ferdinand Presents
5. The Rest Is Football

How many episodes of It's Only Kids Football are there?

It's Only Kids Football launched 2 years ago and published 122 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on It's Only Kids Football?

Recent guests on It's Only Kids Football include:

1. Henrik Teisbæk
2. Laura Mellor-Bachman
3. Laura Mellor-Backman
4. Freddie Sears
5. Dan Holman
6. Kudus Oyenuga
7. Garry Richards
8. John Folwell

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