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

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