
Show Notes
From scoring the winning goal on his Premier League debut for boyhood club West Ham to coaching his own children on a Sunday morning, Freddie Sears has experienced almost every level of the game. But despite a career spanning more than 460 professional appearances, it’s grassroots football that now gives him some of his greatest enjoyment.
In this episode, Freddie joins Ben and Mike in the studio to reflect on growing up playing grassroots football, the coaches and parents who shaped him, and the unforgettable moment he fulfilled his childhood dream at West Ham. He also opens up about the challenges of coaching his own children, managing expectations, dealing with nerves and finding the balance between pushing young players and simply letting them enjoy football.
For parents and coaches, Freddie’s message is clear: football should be fun. His story is a powerful reminder that the friendships, memories and experiences created on a Sunday morning can mean far more than the result.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.