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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
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes110Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerKids & FamilyParentingSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for It's Only Kids Football

Latest Episodes

What separates the young footballers who keep improving from those who stand still? According to ex-professionals and Complete Football Academy coaches Kudus Oyenuga and Garry Richards, it isn't talent — it's mentality.

Joining Ben and Mike, they ex... more

YouTube

In this webinar, hosts Ben and Mike host an expert panel, featuring the FA’s head of grassroots coach, John Folwell, elite academy coach Michael Fox, professional goalkeeper Mark Howard, and youth league chairman Ryan Walker—to dissect the FA’s new 3... more

YouTube

Ben and Mike dive into one of grassroots football's biggest debates: will playing a year up actually make your child a better footballer? Using their own team's pre-season as a real-life case study, they share what happened when they tested their Und... more

YouTube

Why do some young goalkeepers thrive under pressure while others lose confidence after a single mistake? In this episode, hosts Ben and Mike are joined by former professional goalkeeper and experienced academy coach Andy Collett to explore what it re... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

John Folwell
Head of grassroots coaching at the AFA
AFA (Amateur Football Association)
Episode: Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Mark Howard
Professional goalkeeper with extensive league experience
Professional Football
Episode: Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Ryan Walker
Chairman of the Cotswolds Youth League
Cotswolds Youth League
Episode: Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Andy Collett
Former professional goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach
FootballDNA app / Middlesbrough FC academy
Episode: Why some young goalkeepers stop loving football
Benjamin Pullen
Dr. Ben Pullen, youth athlete development specialist and founder of Young Athlete Training
Young Athlete Training
Episode: Why your kid needs to get stronger
Damian Scannell
Former professional footballer and health coach
Health coaching; former pro footballer
Episode: Are we raising soft footballers?
Michael Hilton
Mental performance coach and host of MindFitForFootball
MindFitForFootball
Episode: Are we raising soft footballers?
Sean Conlon
Player development specialist
We Make Footballers / Project Footballer
Episode: What scouts REALLY look for in grassroots players
Kate from Performance Canteen
Nutrition specialists focused on young athletes
Performance Canteen
Episode: What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain

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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom5 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 States8 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 Kingdom9 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
#112
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#224
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#237
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#57
Australia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#12
Poland/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#67
Poland/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Q: How long was 3v3 trialed and what about the pace of the season?
The format was trialed over an extended period with multiple tests (e.g., 400 videoed games) and phased implementation to ensure players and parents adapt gradually; seasons were designed with short, high-frequency mini-matches to maintain intensity and engagement.
Is 3v3 REALLY better for young footballers?
Q: What are the core qualities 3v3 aims to develop in players compared to traditional formats?
3v3 emphasizes involvement, decision-making, and technical actions in a smaller space, with less coach-led instruction, aiming to ignite a love for the ball and help players progress through to larger formats.
Why some young goalkeepers stop loving football
Q: How do you develop a young goalkeeper's command in the box and their ability to communicate with defenders?
The guest suggests tailoring the approach to age and personality, encouraging the GK to be vocal at appropriate moments, and coaching through language that prompts leadership, such as guiding defenders to mark up or open their bodies, while avoiding heavy-handed instruction that could suppress confidence.
Why some young goalkeepers stop loving football
Q: What should a coach or manager be shouting to a goalkeeper during the game to keep them switched on without distracting them?
The hosts discuss keeping messages short and supportive, using the player's name, and offering brief encouragement such as 'Tommy, keep going' or 'Johnny, brilliant save' rather than overwhelming the GK with technical details; the key is staying within the game and avoiding overloading the player with information.

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 110 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. John Folwell
2. Mark Howard
3. Ryan Walker
4. Andy Collett
5. Benjamin Pullen
6. Damian Scannell
7. Michael Hilton
8. Sean Conlon

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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