It's Only Kids Football

⁠Are our substitutions costing us games?

It's Only Kids Football

Show Notes

Ben and Mike break down a bittersweet weekend on the touchline. The main talking point revolves around the Under-11s’ gutting 3-1 derby opening-day loss to their local rivals, the Blues.

Despite a strong performance and a momentum-building equaliser, a mid-game overhaul of four simultaneous substitutions disrupted the team’s rhythm, leading directly to conceded goals and an elusive penalty call that went against them. The hosts candidly debate whether prioritising equal playing time and prepping for 9-a-side football is actively costing them results in tight matches.

Counterbalancing the defeat, Ben celebrates his younger son Charlie’s sensational 3v3 debut, where he netted 13 goals. The episode also covers their latest training drills and upcoming fixture against Ipswich Town's Premier League academy.

Finally, the hosts reflect on emotional listener feedback about parenting, emphasising the importance of staying present and cherishing every moment before the kids grow up.

Michael Fox's warm-up game: https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dc9GdKeIrHz/

Get your team a free £300 Discount Football Kits voucher by using our exclusive link to collect subscriptions through GoCardless at https://www.itsonlykidsfootball.com/offers

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

Sign up for the newsletter here: https://www.itsonlykidsfootball.com/

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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from It's Only Kids Football

Oct 19, 2026

In Part Two of this deep dive with Paul Barry — Head of coaching at Football DNA with experience at Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and Watford — Ben and Mike breaks down how to bring professional academy standards to grassroots teams.

Oct 12, 2026

In this episode Ben and Mike get honest about the pressure, obsession, and guilt that come with volunteer coaching. After taking their U11s to play Ipswich Town’s Category 1 Academy, a tough 80-minute lesson prompts a powerful reality check on expectations, burnout and remembering that at the end of the day, you're just a dad doing your best.

Oct 5, 2026

What actually happens when a grassroots team takes on a Premier League Academy? In this episode, Ben and Mike break down their recent clash against Ipswich Town Under-10s —from holding their own in a 3-2 thriller to facing a brutal second-half reality check. Joined by Paul Barry, Head of Coaching at Football DNA with experience at Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Watford, the guys dissect the massive gap between grassroots and academy setups.

Sep 24, 2026

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.

Sep 21, 2026

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 thinking rather than telling them what went wrong and unpack why confidence at home doesn't always travel to unfamiliar pitches.

See all episodes →