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Artwork for It's Only Kids Football

It's Only Kids Football

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes106Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilySportsSoccer

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Artwork for It's Only Kids Football

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Ben speaks to youth athlete development expert Dr Ben Pullen, to smash the biggest myths holding young players back. He completely dismantles the classic misconception that strength training stunts a child’s growth, revealing that av... more

YouTube

Ben and Mike are joined by former professional footballer Damian Scannell and mental performance coach Michael Hilton for an honest conversation about what it really takes to help young players thrive.

Together, they explore how parents and volunte... more

YouTube

Ben and Mike reflect on another unforgettable weekend in grassroots football, where the highs of great performances were matched by the heartbreak of a cup final defeat. In this honest and relatable conversation, they unpack what really happens behin... more

YouTube

What really helps young footballers improve? In this episode, hosts Ben and Mike sit down with Jason and Neil from Rondos Academy to uncover the coaching principles they've learned from more than 15 years of developing grassroots players.

From the i... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sean Conlon
Player development specialist
We Make Footballers / Project Footballer
Episode: What scouts REALLY look for in grassroots players
Paul Barry
Foundation phase coaching specialist
Football DNA (studio appearance)
Episode: The ultimate 3v3 coaching guide from an elite academy coach
Kate from Performance Canteen
Nutrition specialists focused on young athletes
Performance Canteen
Episode: What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain
Fran from Performance Canteen
Nutrition specialist focusing on young athletes
Performance Canteen
Episode: What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain
Colin Windrow
Club manager, MSB Woolton (Liverpool)
MSB Woolton
Episode: Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score
Glen Johnson
Former Premier League and England defender
Former England / Premier League player
Episode: What every coach and parent needs to know about 3v3
Rachel Yankey
Arsenal and Lionesses legend
Former England Women's National Team player
Episode: What every coach and parent needs to know about 3v3
Mark Thompson
UEFA A Licensed Coach and International Technical Coaching Manager, Everton; features on Football DNA app
Everton Football Club / Football DNA
Episode: Simple coaching language that actually works
Chris Ramsey
Respected voice in player development and coaching in the English game; former roles at QPR, Tottenham and the FA
Football / Coaching education
Episode: Why separating players by ability doesn’t work

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 138 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom5 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 States7 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 Kingdom8 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
#238
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#104
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#69
Australia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#109
New Zealand/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#147
United Arab Emirates/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#155
Ireland/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain
Q: Should oranges or fruit be given at half-time, and what about longer matches?
Oranges provide hydration and quick energy, but for longer sessions a couple of orange slices plus a small snack or drink is better; the key is to refuel with a mix of carbs, fluids, and some protein as needed.
What every coach and parent needs to know about 3v3
Q: What are the main benefits of 3v3 for under-7s?
The main benefits are more touches, more game time, better ball mastery, and opportunities to practice 1v1 skills on smaller pitches, all while keeping the experience enjoyable and less pressurized for coaches and parents.
Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score
Q: What's the key to managing parents and keeping them engaged positively?
Open communication, humility, and a clear escalation path involving the committee and FA when necessary, with an emphasis on protecting the child's experience above all else.
Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score
Q: How do you handle mixed-ability teams and ensure fair play?
The approach has evolved from selecting top players for multiple teams to creating more inclusive internal leagues, ensuring all kids get meaningful game time and opportunities to develop.
Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score
Q: What does a day-to-day look like for running the largest grassroots club in England?
Colin explains it's about coordinating volunteers, managing many teams and age groups, running internal leagues to build confidence, and prioritizing the experience and development of each child over winning trophies.

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 Rest Is Football
3. The Good, The Bad & The Football
4. Undr The Cosh
5. The High Performance Podcast

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

It's Only Kids Football launched 2 years ago and published 106 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. Sean Conlon
2. Paul Barry
3. Kate from Performance Canteen
4. Fran from Performance Canteen
5. Colin Windrow
6. Glen Johnson
7. Rachel Yankey
8. Mark Thompson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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