FML MAG JULY 2023

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TIPS ON HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT FOOTY BEDROOM FOOTBALL THEMED BEDROOM P46 MMEISASMII COACHES CORNER INSIDE FUELLING YOUNG FOOTBALLERS TOP FOOTBALL FILMS A RIVAL TO TAKE ON EUROPE’S MOST-COVETED LEAGUES? SENSATIONAL IMPACT MESSI’S MOVE TO THE US FULL STORY PAGE 26 THE KING OF FOOTBALL P10 THE LEGENDARY BRAZILIAN... PELE ISSUE 02 HOW TO CREATE A GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL CLUB NEW CLUB FC P32

EDITORS LETTER

Welcome to issue 2 of Football Mania Magazine, as I write this the first round of fixtures in the premier league is upon us, as always speculation on the winners and the relegated are always hot topics, the meteoric rise of Luton Town FC from virtual obscurity to the Premier league will be followed closely by all neutrals, hoping they can cause some early season shocks, and will it be one way traffic at the top where the juggernaut of Haaland Pep and Co continue to dominate? This issue is full of Football enjoyment with our regular Coaches corner by Coachmaker + to features on Pele, Messi, and guide to how to become a Football agent, we hope the variety of grassroots football features and latest news from the professional game will keep you captivated.

I must thank all our contributors and advertisers for whom this Magazine would not exist without, and I politely request that you consider using their products and services. All have their position within the Football world and have years of experience, knowledge, and expertise. Whoever you support or follow I wish you a great start to the season, Grassroots football needs your following so if you can get to your local club for a non-league game midweek then do, you will be surprised at how personable and enjoyable it can be, and very often I’ve found myself watching a non-league game whether South Midlands Premier league or the Essex Senior league and watching highly competitive, quality football well worth the admission and a pint at pitch side. Have

FOOTBALL MANIA MAGAZINE
great month to you all,
June 2023 Football Mania 2
a
Chris & Team FML

CONTENTS

The Saudi Pro League: A Rival To Take On Europe’s Most-Coveted Leagues?

Football Manias Top Football Films

The King Of Football

Supporters GMBH

Winning vs Development – Is It Really One Or The Other?

Coaches Corner - Managing Challenging Behaviour

Quirky Football Grounds To Visit On Your Travels

Football Agent

Messi Miami

The Premier League Led Floodlight Fund

Linton Fencing

New Club FC

Retail Football

Nightsearcher Sportstar

Fuelling Young Footballers

Poppies4kits

League Of Its Own

Creating A Football Themed Bedroom

Good Team On Paper

Enamelled Badges

Sports Gamer Pro

Mullock Jones Auctioneers

PUBLISHER

Marcus Clarke EDITOR

Chris Keightley

PRODUCTION

Paul Connell

CONTRIBUTORS

Ryan Murray Sports Journalist

Craig Bett Sports Journalist

Lara Clarke Lifestyle Journalist

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4 8 10 13 14 18 22 24 26 28 30 32 36 38 40 42 44 46 50 52 54 56
FOOTBALL MANIA MAGAZINE
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A rival to take on Europe’s mostcoveted leagues? THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE

In many ways, this summer’s transfer window has been no different to the ones which have immediately preceded it; once again, we have protracted negotiations over the most sought-after players, eyewatering sums exchanging hands, and a collection of rather cheesy social media signing announcements all to enjoy/endure. Nevertheless, this year’s annual circus of recruitment activity has been influenced – or perhaps overshadowed dependent on your personal view – by an altogether different dynamic: the presence of a Saudi Pro League spending spree.

Indeed, a sizeable cross-section of Saudi Arabia’s top-tier sides have routinely dipped into their seemingly inexhaustible cash reserves, and prized some of the world’s most-talented stars away from their respective clubs – most of whom are based on European soil. The scale of this expenditure – both in relation to initial transfer fees and subsequent player contract compensation –is unprecedented, even in context of the farcical financial environment of the contemporary game. But why are Saudi Pro League (SPL) outfits currently investing so much in their playing rosters? And could this present trend eventually pre-empt a major power shift eastward,

significantly impacting the quality, popularity, and status of Europe’s ‘elite’ leagues?

The simple answer to the second question is yes, it certainly could.

The SPL is arguably on a similar flight path to the one Europe’s fabled ‘top five’ leagues commenced roughly three decades ago. Powered by unparalleled commercial investment, the French Ligue 1, Italian Serie A, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and German Bundesliga began to establish their hegemony over the domestic competitions of neighbouring nations, as hugely lucrative broadcasting and sponsorship deals propelled

THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE: A RIVAL TO TAKE ON EUROPE’S MOST-COVETED LEAGUES?
June 2023 Football Mania 4

this group into a position of supreme domination. Acquiring the best players and coaches from so-called ‘weaker’ leagues, plucking the hottest youth prospects from academies, and leveraging this collective talent to consistently progress to the latter stages of continental tournaments, clubs affiliated to the ‘top five’ have routinely flexed their financial muscle in order to strip the assets of those in a less fortunate position, and further their own quest for success. In years gone by, we would see clubs from the likes of Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Scotland regularly winning Europe’s most-prestigious competitions; nowadays, the notion of becoming a continental champion is just a pipe dream for most of these sleeping giants.

Yet, are clubs affiliated to the top five leagues – particularly those who have profited most from their privileged position – about to take a heavy dose of their own medicine? Will they soon be playing second-fiddle to a league bankrolled by a superior financial monster?

Many have already succumbed to the advances of a Saudi Pro League suitor, unable to refuse a colossal transfer payment or repel their player from pursuing a life-changing contract offer. Although Riyadh-based outfit AlNassr ushered in this remarkable new chapter by securing the services of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo

June 2023 Football Mania 5

last December, we’ve seen an immense hive of activity following the opening of the summer transfer window. Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia’s oldest football club and defending league and cup champions, have perhaps drawn most attention for their recruitment efforts to press, making waves with several landmark signings. World-class French duo Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, who leave Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively, arrived in Jeddah in June, whilst gifted Portuguese winger Jota, purchased in a deal worth £25m from Scottish champions Celtic, followed soon after. Inevitably, each player has seriously increased their annual salaries by migrating to the Middle East, with Karim Benzema reportedly set to earn almost £400m in wages over the next two years. Kanté’s former side have felt the pinch far more profoundly than others, having also lost Senegalese

internationals Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal, £20m) and Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli, £16m) in recent weeks, and bracing themselves for the potential departure of Moroccan ace Hakim Ziyech. Croatian international Marcelo Brozović, who skippered Inter Milan in last season’s Champions League showpiece against Manchester City, joins Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, whilst the Serie A fronts up another loss in the shape of Sergej Milinković-Savić, who pens a move to Al-Hilal after spending eight years in the Italian capital with Lazio. There are also a handful of familiar faces in the dug-out. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who was relieved of his duties at Villa Park less than nine months ago, became the fourth-highest paid manager in the world after taking over at Dammam-based Al-Ettifaq, just days before former Watford and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic picked up the reigns at Al-Fateh.

Interestingly, the Croatian returns for a second stint in Saudi Arabia after a brief period with Al-Ittihad during the 2018/19 campaign; the ‘Tigers’ are now led by none other than Nuno Espírito Santo, who previously assumed the managerial hotseat at Spurs, Wolves, Porto, and Valencia.

However, these transfers may potentially just be the tip of the iceberg. A whole host of players currently registered to Europe’s finest clubs are linked with Saudi sides, with the likes of Brazilian icon Neymar, Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva, and influential midfielder Paul Pogba all touted to head to the Middle East. And herein lies the difference between the Saudi Pro League’s recruitment endeavours versus similar initiatives undertaken by those facilitating other domestic league ‘projects’ – the age and calibre of targeted players. The MLS has long-since been considered a pre-retirement home for ageing global stars, continuing a trend set in motion by the North American Soccer League (NASL), which saw the likes of Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, and Eusébio play out the twilight of their careers on U.S soil.

Although this reputation has somewhat softened in recent years, a process catalysed by David Beckham’s transfer to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 whilst still very much in his prime, the MLS has been unable to consistently attract players

THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE: A RIVAL TO TAKE ON EUROPE’S MOST-COVETED LEAGUES?
June 2023 Football Mania 6

currently performing at their peak capabilities. Less than a decade ago, many believed the Chinese Super League (CSL) would threaten the European monopolies. However, XI Jinping’s vision of China hosting the strongest league in world football soon fizzled out, after the President grew weary of foreign mercenaries in search of an easy pay day, and excessive sums of cash flowing out the domestic purse. Saudi Arabia’s attempt to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s heavyweights, as the government mobilizes its signature policy of the country’s ambitious 2030 Vision Plan, is a totally different proposition to what we’ve seen before.

However, a sinister motive lingers underneath the surface here, as the Saudi lawmakers leverage the glitz, glamour, and potential glory of the SPL to mask a catalogue of human rights abuses. Repressive policies on religious expression, draconian sentences for political dissidents, and the prohibition of same-sex sexual activity have conspired to undermine the Kingdom’s status and credibility on the international stage. In an effort to appease the critics and project a more progressive image, the government has unleashed a campaign of statesponsored investments in various sporting projects – a process now popularly referred to as ‘sportswashing’ – which are positioned as altruistic ventures designed to elevate the country’s

profile within the global community. In reality, the objective is to promote Saudi Arabia’s national interests, and divert our attention from an uncomfortable truth. Whatever the motivations behind this latest bid to shake-up the traditional power configurations which permeate the global footballing landscape, one thing’s for sure: Saudi Arabia are certainly prepared to put their money with their mouth is.

THE SAUDI PRO LEAGUE: A RIVAL TO TAKE ON EUROPE’S MOST-COVETED LEAGUES?
June 2023 Football Mania 7

Football Manias... TOP FOOTBALL FILMS

1 ESCAPE TO VICTORY

(1981) - Directed by John Huston, this film is set during World War II and follows a group of Allied prisoners of war who form a football team to play against a German team. The film received great attention upon its theatrical release, as it

starred professional footballers Bobby Moore, Osvaldo Ardiles, Kazimierz Deyna, Paul Van Himst, Mike Summerbee, Hallvar Thoresen, Werner Roth and Pelé. Numerous Ipswich Town players were also in the film, including John Wark, Russell Osman, Laurie Sivell, Robin Turner and Kevin O’Callaghan. Other Ipswich Town players stood in for actors in the football scenes – Kevin Beattie for Michael Caine, and Paul Cooper for Sylvester Stallone.

2 BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

(2002) - Directed by Gurinder Chadha, this comedy-drama revolves around a young Indian girl in London who dreams of playing professional football despite her traditional family’s disapproval. A brief Cameo from David Beckham put the icing on the cake.

3 THE DAMNED UNITED

(2009) - Directed by Tom Hooper, this biographical drama portrays the controversial and eventful managerial reign of Brian Clough at Leeds United

FOOTBALL MANIAS TOP FOOTBALL FILMS
June 2023 Football Mania 8

during the 1970s Michael Sheen beautifully portrayed the charismatic Brian Clough with an equally good portrayal by Timothy Spall as his assistant Peter Taylor, the brief managerial stay at Leeds Utd culminating in a clash of styles personalities and football philosophies

4 FEVER PITCH

(1997) - Based on Nick Hornby’s novel, this film follows a devoted Arsenal fan as he navigates the ups and downs of supporting his beloved football club while pursuing a romantic relationship.

5 GREEN STREET 6 LOOKING FOR ERIC

(also known as “Green Street Hooligans”) (2005) - Directed by Lexi Alexander, this film explores the world of football hooliganism in London and stars Elijah Wood as an American student who becomes involved with a West Ham United supporters’ group.

(2009) - Directed by Ken Loach, this heartwarming film follows a postman and Manchester United fan who receives advice and encouragement from the legendary Eric Cantona to cope with life’s challenges.

FOOTBALL MANIAS TOP FOOTBALL FILMS
June 2023 Football Mania 9

THE KING OF FOOTBALL

Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer, is generally deemed the best football player in the world of all time. Pele is considered the god of football. There’s not a single player who has won more world cups than him. Pele was a goal-scoring machine who also served as the major point of attack for both club and country. His goal-scoring stats are simply jaw-dropping. He’s the only player to score more than 1200 goals. Scored twice in the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden, Pele is the youngest player (17 years and 249 days) to do so.

THE KING OF FOOTBALL
June 2023 Football Mania 10
Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer, is generally deemed the best football player in the world of all time...

Pele stands 1st in the list of the top 10 football players of all time.

Born on October, 23, 1940 in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Edson Arantes do Nascimento would become more commonly known around the world as Pelé. His father, João Ramos do Nascimento, played professional football himself, but his career never brought him much in the way of money. He received the nickname “Pelé” during his early school days after struggling to pronounce the name of his favourite player and his father’s teammate at Vasco de Gama, goalkeeper “Bilé,”. Pelé’s family could not even afford to buy a ball for him, so he stuffed socks and molded them into the shape of a ball to kick around. Working a variety of jobs to help his family, the young Pelé found his true talent on the field. At the age of 15, Pele was spotted by a former Brazilian national team player named Waldemar de Brito, who was impressed by his skills and

recommended him to Santos FC, a major football club in Brazil. Pele joined Santos in 1956 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in the country.

He made his professional debut for Santos at the age of 16 in 1956 and helped the team win its first Campeonato Paulista, a major state championship in Brazil. In 1958, Pele helped Santos win the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South America, for the first time in their history. He also played a key role in Santos’ victory in the Intercontinental Cup that year, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over AC Milan.

Pele was involved in various business ventures throughout his career, including sports marketing and advertising. He was also a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment since 1992, and in 2007, he was appointed as a UNESCO

Goodwill Ambassador.

He was a Catholic Christian and even donated a signed jersey to Pope Francis. It is located to this day in the Vatican museums.

At the time of his retirement in 1977, Pelé had amassed a series of seemingly unbreakable records. He had racked up a total of 1,283 goals in 1,363 matches, making him the top scorer in Brazilian national team history and FIFA history. Just as impressively, he managed to pull off 92 hat-tricks. He also set a record for the most FIFA World Cup wins for an individual, with three medals to his name. His early years should not be overlooked, though. The young Pelé burned bright, becoming the youngest player to score a hattrick and the youngest player to score in a World Cup final match.

Prior to his death at the end of 2022, his net worth was estimated to be around $100 million.

THE KING OF FOOTBALL
June 2023 Football Mania 11

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SUPPORTERS GMBH
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We’ve all had the same question as coaches –is your focus on winning or development?

WINNING VS DEVELOPMENT

IS IT REALLY ONE OR THE OTHER?

What if we take a different stance on the subject? Are winning and development polar opposite concepts or can they work together? Is it age-dependent? When should we start developing a winning mentality within our players?

This article was produced by the Director of Coaching of Coachmaker+, a website offering support to coaches at all levels of the game. Access to the website is available is free for a Trial Account which gives limited access to elements. Full access at different levels is based on a subscription. For more information please visit www.coachmakerplus.com

WINNING VS DEVELOPMENT – IS IT REALLY ONE OR THE OTHER?
June 2023 Football Mania 14

WHAT DO WE MEAN?

A winning-focused coach will make all decisions based on affecting the outcome of the game every time. Some examples include:

• Picking the same team for every game

• Players being made to play through injury

• Not allowing other ‘weaker’ players to play very long in games

• Will win games by large margins for their own ego.

A development-focused coach will focus on improving their players’ weaknesses through select challenges. Some examples include:

• Playing players out of position to work on specific areas of their game

• Making sure to rotate all the players to ensure everyone gets to start games

• Manipulating the game during one-sided affairs, creating challenges for their players.

SO WINNING IS BAD THEN?

W e must stress that winning is not a bad thing. Winning at all costs is what we are trying to avoid.

Winning games can boost confidence, reinforces the success of development work, gives players opportunities to practice finishing and, most importantly, provide joy to the players. Everyone loves winning.

However, we can also redefine what winning looks like. But first, let’s see if winning and development can go hand in hand.

CAN THEY WORK TOGETHER?

To begin, let’s think about the game we are playing. Two teams competing against each other will inevitably result in a win, loss or draw. Even at a very young age, players love playing games. They love to compete against one another and, depending on the child, love stopping, creating or scoring goals.

Let’s also consider the adult role in youth football. Why do we coach young players? Is it simply to win trophies? Or are we looking to improve the players we coach and give them lifelong memories of playing the game they love? Or is it even more simple – our child plays and they need a volunteer to run the team?

For all coaches using CoachMaker+, we hope it’s one

of the latter two options.

As coaches, we should be there to inspire and support a young player’s development. This, though, makes it difficult to see who winning and development can work in tandem. Let’s think about it like this:

We should embrace a player’s passion for the game from a very young age. Every player has a desire to win games. Sometimes as coaches we remove that passion by telling them how winning and losing are not important.

This is the wrong message. Young players will make decisions based on solving the problems that we give them. The problem they face in a game is how can I be successful either as an individual or a team? Winning is important to every player that plays the game.

That’s where the decisionmaking around winning should end – with the player

A coach’s role in this should merely be to pose challenges, support them with strategies and establish environments where players can learn and develop techniques that allow them to have a better chance of winning.

We run the risk of removing the enjoyment and development from the game for players as soon as the coach makes

WINNING
VS DEVELOPMENT – IS IT REALLY ONE OR THE OTHER?
June 2023 Football Mania 15

decisions for their team based on winning and losing a game.

The result at the end of the game, league tables and cup competitions provide plenty of pressure. They do not need the additional pressure from the adults that are supposed to be there to support them.

DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET

I f the coach only references the end result, we risk starting to develop a fixed mindset in players. This is the opposite of what we should be developing.

A growth mindset will help players become self-sufficient in their development. They thrive off challenges and look to continually better themselves by focusing inward on the process rather than on the external outcome.

This will be important later too when players get older. We could even redefine what winning looks like in our young players. Setting

CONCLUSION

challenges for players to achieve within games will enable them to “win” even if the outcome of the game is negative.

For example, counting the amount of successful 1v1 defending situations could mean a player wins even though the team loses. This is vital as part of long-term player development to maintain motivation and support the development of a growth mindset.

WHEN DOES IT SWITCH TO JUST WINNING?

A s players get older, coaches will want to focus more and more on the outcome of the game. However, we have to remind ourselves that winning and losing is not just an outcome, but a skill. Learning the strategies, techniques and processes required to win games is a vital piece of the puzzle that goes missing when, as a coach, we focus on just the outcome.

As players get older, we must maintain their passion to win by supporting their development. This subtle shift in our coaching style will continue to support the development of a growth mindset. They need to see the outcome as a challenge and the process that creates that outcome rather than the “win at all costs” mentality. This also allows us as coaches to focus on areas to improve and maintain motivation even when success doesn’t happen. Losing is not failure.

WHAT ABOUT THE PROFESSIONALS?

I f you look at some of the top managers in the English Premier League, like Brendan Rodgers and Pep Guardiola, they focus on the process of winning and developing their players to do the same, as opposed to focusing on the result alone. Both managers work hard to continue the development of their players, even at the highest level of the game.

I n conclusion, we must shift our perception on the winning versus development argument. The two are not opposites and should be treated as vital to a player’s development. What winning looks like will shift as players get older, but a winning mentality should be maintained throughout a player’s journey.

WINNING VS DEVELOPMENT
– IS IT REALLY ONE OR THE OTHER?
June 2023 Football Mania 16

CORNER COACHES

We’ve all had and will have players within our groups that challenge our authority as a coach...

MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR

We’ve all had and will have players within our groups that challenge our authority as a coach or push our boundaries to work out what they can get away with. However a question we were asked recently by one of our coaches is “how do we go about managing behaviour?” Followed by “How do you cope with players with ADHD and other behavioural conditions like it?” Well here we go to try and answer both. Firstly let us start with managing behaviour as a whole.

WHAT IS MANAGING BEHAVIOUR?

F irstly we need to understand that players will come to our sessions with their own set of personal standards and behaviours, set from a very early

age by their parents and their home environment. They will also have behaviours learnt at school, other sports clubs and any other environment they have

COACHES CORNER -
CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR
MANAGING
June 2023 Football Mania 18

been in. Therefore the most important method of managing any behaviour is being able to develop a relationship with the young people you coach. Understanding their day or mindset coming into the session through informal discussions is vital. It could be the difference between you creating a positive environment that allows players to have a great time or you not recognising that a potential explosion of poor behaviour is very close. Informal discussions could unearth a young person going through a terrible time, which would change the way you react to them within sessions. Informal discussions on arrival are key.

SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Outside of the informal discussions, it is key for you to set the standards within your sessions. This works even better if the players and often the parents are involved in this too. Trying to come up with a set of rules for players, parents and coaches to follow, allows for everyone to know the boundaries. This process often works best when these are not specific but instead general to avoid the list being too long - for example using rules like “Parents must not shout out during training and games” could be used to stop them celebrating. Whereas a rule that says “Parents must not show

behaviours that effect a child’s enjoyment” would allow the coach to stop the negative behaviours and allow the positive ones.

MAINTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT

Here is often where mistakes are made. It is crucial that any behaviour outside of the boundaries that were set are dealt with in an appropriate manner. It could be agreed when setting the rules what these punishments or consequences would be. If anyone is able to operate outside the boundaries without any consequences, the rule immediately loses all meaning. Managing behaviour in this way allows you to stay calm and simply apply the standard everyone has agreed to. This is vital when managing behaviours with young people. The moment an adult loses their temper or composure, it drastically effects the relationship with the young player and prevents any solution being constructive.

DECIDE WHAT IS IMPORTANT

This may seem contradictory to the above, however think about this - your players are attending to be active and they aren’t adults yet. Therefore consider

that some players maybe uncomfortable looking you in the eye, some players are active listeners so may need to hold or move a ball whilst you talk, and is that player who wants one last shot before running over hurting anyone if its in an empty goal. What we are trying to get coaches to think about is - if we are constantly telling players what not to do, when are we inspiring them or getting them in a positive mindset. You are competing for their attention with video games, social media and apps that give them constant excitement and challenge.

USING ROLE MODELS

Linking into the above, when recognising and trying to correct lots of negative behaviour you could be giving yourself more work later down the line. If you consider that players fall into one of three groups:

1. The disruptor - the player(s) who want attention so will do naughty things to try and disrupt the group to gain that.

2. The role model - the player(s) who demonstrates the type of behaviour you want to see on a regular basis and aren’t influenced by the disruptors.

3. The influenced - the group of players that react to the coaches interactions to gain attention.

COACHES CORNER - MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR
June 2023 Football Mania 19

If you as a coach give group 1 all your time by constantly trying to stop the disruptors then group 3 will want that attention too and will therefore join group 1. If you do the opposite, whenever the disruptors are showing the negative behaviours, you praise the players who are demonstrating the behaviour you want - the players who are influenced easily will then show the good behaviour you want too. This will create a much more manageable environment. It will also provide a more positive environment and will make you as the coach more positive. This is linked to Social Learning Theory if you want some extra reading.

Now let’s look at players with potential conditions that can effect behaviour.

CONDITIONS EFFECTING BEHAVIOUR

This is probably the trickiest and biggest threat to a coach within grassroots or recreational level. It’s extremely rare that volunteer (or even paid coaches) are experts or have even had any education in coping with players that have conditions that effect behaviour such as ADHD. Therefore there is only 1 thing

I would suggest - bring in the experts! By experts I mean their parents or guardians. You have to be brave enough to ask for help - what do they struggle with at home, what do their parents or guardians do to help control their behaviour, is there any issues at school and if so how does their school manage the players behaviour? All of these questions will allow you to best plan the environment and your sessions to maximise the learning and enjoyment for all players. Strategies could include:

Maximising ball rolling time - less time for players to become bored and therefore disruptive Giving clear, easy guidelines to follow Allowing a safe space for players to calm when they find it all too much

Ensure you are talking when players want to listen not when you want to talk - until that time allow them to cool down or process information in a safe space

Allow active listening Managing the length of your interventions

CONCLUSION

Managing behaviour is a topic that every coach across the world will experience at some point in time. The main thing to remember is that before trying to manage boundaries, you need to set them. The best way to do this is with the involvement of all, this way they take ownership of the rules. Then you need to be consistent with people that step out of the boundaries. Make sure you stay calm and deal with this professionally. If you players have behavioural problems within the group, whether that be through a condition or not, don’t be afraid to involve the parents and ask for help in how best to deal with it. Finally if you have tried everything and players are still not behaving outside the boundaries set, then you may have to make the tough decision of removing them from the group. Whilst this should be a last resort you also need to consider the the fact you have other players who are potentially being affected by.

CORNER COACHES

COACHES CORNER - MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR
June 2023 Football Mania 20

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OUR CLIENTS

Our range of clients include Nike, FIFA 23, PlayStation, Champions League Final, Womens Euros, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2023, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Tottenham Hotspurs FC, Leicester City FC, West Ham United, Huddersfield FC, The FA, Barclays, Continental, F2 Freestylers & more

www.ballsportz.co.uk

Info@ballsportz.co.uk

01483 654300 / 07786545432

QUIRKY FOOTBALL GROUNDS TO VISIT ON YOUR TRAVELS

Here are some of the quirkiest football grounds from around the world:

THE FLOAT AT MARINA BAY, SINGAPORE

The Float is the world’s largest floating stage, and it has been converted into a football field on several occasions. Playing football on water certainly makes for a unique experience.

The world of football is full of unique and quirky stadiums that reflect the local culture, history, and creative spirit of their communities...
QUIRKY FOOTBALL GROUNDS TO VISIT ON YOUR TRAVELS
June 2023 Football Mania 22

HENNINGSVÆR STADIUM, NORWAY

Located in a fishing village in the Lofoten Islands, this stadium features a stunning backdrop of mountains and sea. The small stadium is surrounded by picturesque scenery, making it one of the most beautiful and quirky football grounds.

ESTADIO MUNICIPAL DE BRAGA, PORTUGAL

C arved into a former quarry, this stadium has a unique bowl-like design with a rock face as one of its boundaries. The stadium’s setting and design are unlike any other.

EIDI STADIUM, FAROE ISLANDS

With a seating capacity of only 300 people, Eidi Stadium is one of the smallest stadiums used for international football matches. Its intimate setting and surrounding landscape make it a unique place to watch a match.

ESTÁDIO ENGENHEIROMUNICIPAL JOSÉ CARLOS PADILHA, BRAZIL

This small stadium in Brazil is famous for its setting in the middle of a prison complex. The sight of inmates watching matches from behind bars creates a truly unusual atmosphere.

JAN BREYDEL STADIUM, BELGIUM

Home to Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, this stadium is known for having a stand that’s right up against a canal. Boats can often be seen floating by, giving fans a different perspective on the match.

ESTADIO HERNANDO SILES, BOLIVIA

This stadium is known for its extreme altitude of over 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level. The thin air at this altitude poses a challenge for players not accustomed to it.

These quirky football grounds showcase the diversity and creativity of the sport’s venues across the globe. Each stadium brings its own unique flavour and charm to the beautiful game.

ESTADIO DE MENDIZORROZA, SPAIN

Home to Deportivo Alavés, this stadium is known for its proximity to a church bell tower that rings during matches, creating a distinct and unusual atmosphere.

BORUSSIA-PARK, GERMANY

This stadium is notable for its retractable roof that opens and closes like an eyelid. The mechanism is quite impressive and adds a unique touch to the stadium’s design.

ESTADIO CHIVAS, MEXICO

This stadium is unique in that it’s entirely surrounded by a shopping mall. Fans can watch the game, do some shopping, and enjoy the attractions of the mall all in one place.

QUIRKY FOOTBALL
TO VISIT ON YOUR TRAVELS
GROUNDS
June 2023 Football Mania 23

Becoming a football agent can be an exciting and rewarding career path...

ONE E

ducate Yourself: Start by gaining a deep understanding of football and the football industry. Familiarize yourself with player contracts, transfer regulations, and the rules and regulations governing football agents in your country or region. TWO O

btain the Required Qualifications: Many countries have specific requirements and regulations for football agents. In some places, you may need to complete a certification course or obtain a license to legally represent players. Check with the football governing bodies in your country to understand the necessary qualifications.

FOOTBALL AGENT

Becoming a football agent can be an exciting and rewarding career path for individuals who are passionate about football and possess strong negotiation and communication skills. Here are some steps to guide you in becoming a football agent:

THREE N etwork and Build Relationships: Building a strong network is crucial for success in the football agent business. Attend football events, games, and conferences to meet players, coaches, and club representatives. Establishing strong relationships will open doors and help you connect with potential clients.

FOUR G ain Experience: While starting out, you may want to work as an intern or

assistant with an established football agency. This will give you valuable experience and insights into the day-to-day operations of representing players.

FIVE

R egister as a Football Agent: Once you have the required qualifications and experience, you may need to register as a football agent with the relevant football governing body or association in your country.

SIX

F ind Clients: Attracting clients is a crucial aspect of being a

FOOTBALL AGENT
June 2023 Football Mania 24

football agent. Your network and reputation will play a significant role here. Make sure to showcase your skills, negotiation abilities, and track record to potential clients.

SEVEN

Negotiation and Contract Management: As an agent, you’ll be responsible for negotiating contracts and deals on behalf of your clients. You need to be skilled in contract management to ensure your clients get the best possible deals.

EIGHT

Stay Updated: The football industry is dynamic and ever-changing. Stay updated with the latest news, transfers,

and regulations to provide the best advice and service to your clients.

TEN

Ethical Conduct: As an agent, you’ll be representing the interests of your clients. Maintain high ethical standards and prioritize the well-being and best interests of your players.

Adaptability and Perseverance: The football agent business can be competitive and challenging. Be adaptable and perseverant, especially during the early stages of your career.

Remember, being a successful football agent requires hard work, dedication, and genuine care for your clients. By combining your passion for football with the right skills and knowledge, you can make a positive impact on the careers of the players you represent.

FOOTBALL AGENT
NINE
June 2023 Football Mania 25

MESSI MIAMI

The impact was sensational and unless you were living under a stone the noise around Messi’s transfer to Beckham’s Inter Miami was very much heard around the footballing world.

The impact was sensational...

The other legend of his generation depending on who you think the outright GOAT is, arrived in the U S of A, a 6 time Ballan ‘or winner a world cup winner, and by no means a player on decline having held the world cup aloft only a year ago.

His arrival on a reported 50 million dollars a year was a good business move for Messi not only a huge wage but also a cut in the success and growth of the audience. More money coming in, more of a cut received, potentially changing the T’s and C’s for other players moving to the United Arab Emirates or the US in the future.

Like Beckham before him, a move to the US was greeted with a frenzied outpouring of delight, and the impact on the MLS and its growth as a top 5 world league was immediate the second he stepped upon US soil.

Many have looked upon the MLS as a Micky Mouse league straight out of Disney World, not to be taken too seriously

and its true to an extent that the standard has never matched its European Counterparts, and indeed is an eternity behind the Premier league, however this transfer of one of the Worlds greatest ever players will have a long lasting impact upon the MLS, which will gain a wider audience and may become the tug of war league with the Saudi league for the world’s best players.

Messi’s form to date has been equally impressive as Beckham and Mas’s welcome to the club, with 7 in 5 games adding a big sprinkle of sparkle to a league still in shock at his arrival, indeed fellow teammates of Messi have commented upon his surprise and amazing performances including teammate and Goalkeeper Nick Marsman who stated personally think that this club is not ready for Messi’s arrival,’ ‘We have a temporary stadium, people can just walk on the pitch, there are no gates”. To be released by Inter Miami shortly after his statement, Messi Mania was not to be dampened.

MESSI MIAMI
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June 2023 Football Mania
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“Big switch” to LED floodlights... THE PREMIER LEAGUE LED FLOODLIGHT FUND

The Premier League Stadium Fund (PLSF) has announced this month the “big switch” to LED floodlights for clubs playing at Step 1-6 in the National League System (NLS) and Tier 1-4 of the of the Women’s Football Pyramid (WFP).

The existing FA NLS Ground Grading Guidance document stipulates that when upgrading to LED floodlights, the pitch average light level increases

from 120 lux to 200 lux based on the FA 88-point grid of light measurements to be taken. This uplift in light levels remains for the funding criteria, but importantly – and confusingly - the light uniformity changes for funded installs as below:

Step 1 to 6 the Emin/ Emax uniformity increases from0.25 to 0.3, the minimum grid reading divided by the maximum grid reading.

A new Emin/Eave of 0.6 is introduced, so the minimum divided by the average, and For Step 1, the Emin is 150 lux and for Step 2 is 120 lux.

The impact of the light uniformity changes varies for each club depending on the LED floodlight optical characteristics and the number, spacing and height of the lighting columns.

For women’s football, the Emin/ max remains at 0.25 but the average light is Tier 1 of at least 500 lux, Tier 2 @ 250 lux and Tiers 3 & 4 are 200 lux.

For pitches used by both the men’s and women’s leagues above, then the lighting requirements will need to meet both requirements.

The required increase in light levels for an LED upgrade reduces the energy saving benefit, but advanced controls can dim the floodlights to save power pre/post-match and for training with a scheduler for automation. However, dimming controls are stated as “not required” for retrofit systems is the existing cables are being used, although really an option for wireless controls should be available.

The PLSF includes requirements for checking and ensuring the integrity of lighting columns and the electrical system with a view to ensuring a 10-year minimum service life. For some clubs, this may mean new, and expensive,

THE PREMIER LEAGUE LED FLOODLIGHT FUND
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replacement lighting columns are required.

Now, the secondary, and often forgotten, consideration is planning permissions and being a good neighbour. The Local Authorities (LA) vary in their approach – is a change to LED simply a maintenance upgrade, a change of a planning condition or is full planning permission required?

Check your existing planning permission –days/hours, are you increasing light levels or light spill, floodlight visuals etc.

The Environmental Zone defines the “obtrusive light” limits for your neighbours – this restricts light spill levels at windows and more importantly is their view of how bright your floodlights are against a dark sky. Bats are a legally protected species and need to be considered.

A lighting design model should check the light source intensity (brightness) of every floodlight viewed from each surrounding house:

This can limit the floodlight aim direction and tilt angle, and hence often dictates the design in terms of light uniformity on the pitch, noting the changes previously highlighted. Maybe light guards (cowls) are required to help cut-off the visible light.

Even if your floodlights have been there for years, a resident can complain to the local authority – light is a statutory nuisance – and this can result in an abatement notice to stop or restrict the light. For further advice and support please call Lights4Sport.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE LED FLOODLIGHT FUND

LINTON FENCING

We supply and erect our range of stands to a ready site, as well as offering all civil works as part of the package. The simple design allows for a rapid installation onsite, with minimal interference to the surrounding areas. What’s more, is that all our spectator ground installations are created in accordance with the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide).

Our spectator stands are suitable for a multitude of venues throughout the UK and Ireland focusing on smaller, more personal sporting clubs whilst being capable of expanding to larger venues - we can deliver a stand that is strong, supportive and serves its purpose to the highest standard.

LINTON FENCING
At Linton Fencing and Sportsgrounds, we produce structurally engineered, fully galvanised spectator stands to suit your needs. www.lintonfencing.com 02892441180 Linton Fencing & Sportsgrounds Ltd 4 Hallstown Road, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, BT28 2NE June 2023 Football Mania 30

NEW CLUB FC

Creating a grassroots football team can be a rewarding and exciting experience. It allows you to bring the sport to your local community, promote physical activity, and foster a sense of camaraderie among participants. Here are the steps to help you get started:

NEW CLUB FC
Creating a grassroots football team can be a rewarding and exciting experience... June 2023 Football Mania 32

1 DEFINE YOUR VISION AND GOALS

Define Your Vision and Goals: Determine the purpose of your team and what you hope to achieve. Are you focused on providing a recreational opportunity for people of all ages, or do you want to create a competitive team that participates in local leagues and tournaments? Clarifying your vision will guide your decisionmaking process.

2 GATHER A TEAM OF ENTHUSIASTS

Building a football team requires more than just players. Recruit like-minded individuals who are passionate about the sport and are willing to contribute their time and skills. You’ll need coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, and volunteers to handle various responsibilities.

3 GATHER A TEAM OF ENTHUSIASTS

4 REGISTER WITH LOCAL FOOTBALL AUTHORITIES

Depending on your country and region, you may need to register your team with the appropriate football association or governing body. This step ensures your team is eligible to participate in local leagues and competitions.

5 RECRUIT PLAYERS

Promote your team through word-of-mouth, social media, local community centers, schools, and sports clubs. Encourage people of all ages and skill levels to join. You may also consider hosting open tryouts to identify potential talent.

6 SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT

Ensure the safety of your players by providing proper football equipment, including balls, cones, goalposts, first aid kits, and any necessary protective gear. Create a safe and positive environment for all participants.

7 SET A SCHEDULE

Establish regular training sessions and decide on the frequency of matches. Consistency is essential for player development and team cohesion.

8 FUNDRAISING AND SPONSORSHIP

Grassroots teams often rely on fundraising efforts and local sponsorships to cover expenses such as field rentals, uniforms, and equipment. Look for local businesses and individuals who might be interested in supporting your team.

9 CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Encourage a positive and supportive atmosphere within the team. Emphasize teamwork, respect, and fair play. Acknowledge and celebrate the efforts and progress of all players.

F

ind a suitable place to train and play matches. It could be a local park, a school field, or a rented sports facility. Ensure the location is easily accessible to potential players and supporters.

NEW CLUB FC
June 2023 Football Mania 33

10 PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS

Once your team is ready, consider joining local football leagues and tournaments. This will provide your players with competitive experiences and help them grow as footballers.

11 PROMOTE THE TEAM

Use social media and other channels to showcase your team’s activities and achievements. Engage with the local community and build a fan base to support your team.

Remember that creating a grassroots football team is a gradual process, and it may take time to establish a strong presence in your community. Stay committed to your vision and goals, and with passion and dedication, your team can become an integral part of the local football landscape.

NEW CLUB FC
June 2023 Football Mania 34

Opening a retail football shop can be an exciting venture... RETAIL FOOTBALL

Opening a retail football shop can be an exciting venture if you have a passion for football and a good understanding of the sports retail market. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:

RESEARCH & PLANNING

Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for football-related products in your area and identify potential competitors.

Define your target audience and the specific products you want to offer in your store (e.g., football equipment, apparel, accessories).

Create a detailed business plan outlining your goals, financial projections, marketing strategy, and operational plan.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Register your business and obtain all necessary licenses and permits required to operate a retail store in your location.

Consult with legal and financial advisors to ensure compliance with local regulations.

LOCATION

Choose a strategic location for your store, preferably in an area with high foot traffic and a strong football culture.

Consider the size of the space required to display your products and accommodate customers.

RETAIL FOOTBALL
June 2023 Football Mania 36

SUPPLIERS & INVENTORY

Establish relationships with reputable suppliers and brands that offer quality football merchandise.

Build a diverse inventory of products, including footballs, jerseys, cleats, protective gear, training equipment, and fan merchandise.

STORE SETUP & DESIGN

Design an attractive and functional layout for your store, considering factors such as product visibility, ease of navigation, and customer comfort.

Create a welcoming and footballthemed ambiance to attract enthusiasts and fans.

MARKETING & PROMOTION

Develop a marketing strategy to promote your store and products both online and offline.

Utilize social media platforms, local advertising, and community events to raise awareness about your store.

Consider partnering with local football teams, clubs, or leagues to increase your visibility.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Train your staff to provide excellent customer service, as this can significantly impact customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Offer personalized assistance and expert advice to help customers find the right products for their needs.

ONLINE PRESENCE

Set up an e-commerce website to reach a broader audience beyond your physical store.

Provide an online catalog of products, convenient payment options, and secure shipping methods.

GRAND OPENING

Organize a grand opening event to attract attention to your new retail football shop.

Offer discounts, promotions, or giveaways to incentivize potential customers to visit your store.

MONITOR & ADAPT

Continuously monitor your store’s performance, customer feedback, and sales data to identify areas for improvement.

Be prepared to adapt your product selection and marketing strategies based on changing trends and customer preferences.

Remember that building a successful retail football shop takes time and dedication. Providing exceptional customer experiences and maintaining a passion for football will contribute to your store’s long-term success.

RETAIL FOOTBALL
June 2023 Football Mania 37

The Most Powerful Rechargeable Portable Sports Light Available NIGHTSEARCHER SPORTSTAR

Train like a pro with the portable and rechargeable LED Floodlight Sports Star Kit. Offering an affordable and ideal solution, designed for use anywhere, anytime with easy set-up in under 1 minute. It’s cable free with silent operation and no planning permission is required.

Each impact resistant light head delivers a powerful 20,000 lumens output designed with unique LED optics that guide all useable light directly onto the playing surface, glare free, so it doesn’t affect the players. You can set the light head to your desired height up to a maximum of 3.6m with the slowrelease, air cushioned safety tripod, fixed firmly in place with the provided ground pegs. 8 x units will light an area of 60 x 40m.

You can play for up to 16 hours on one charge depending on the light mode setting with the

attachable rechargeable lithium battery pack, housed in a durable polyethylene case (IP65 rated). It features a colour status battery indicator light, so you know when to recharge and to operate, just click the ground level light mode switch and play on!

Everything you need is supplied in a weatherproof carry bag so it’s easy to transport and store. This lightweight Sports Star Kit has zero emissions, and zero maintenance and a 3-year warranty. Website

NightSearcher sports lights are also eligible for sports funding so contact us today to see how we can help you with your sport lighting requirements:

https://nightsearcher.co.uk/en/products/ sportstar-portable-floodlight.html

NIGHTSEARCHER SPORTSTAR
Email sales@nightsearcher.co.uk or Call +44(0) 23 9238 9774 June 2023 Football Mania 38

The Importance of Whole Foods and Protein FUELLING YOUNG FOOTBALLERS

As youth footballers storm the pitches, they're not just battling their rivals; they're contending with their growing bodies' nutritional needs. To reach their potential on and off the pitch, these athletes must harness the power of nutrition, especially protein, derived from whole foods. At Youth Sport Nutrition, we champion a ‘food first’ ethos to fortify youth athletes, understanding that their nutritional needs, especially during Peak Height Velocity - the pivotal growth spurt phase, are paramount.

SO, WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN?

1. Breakfast

Consider whole-grain cereals, waffles with peanut butter, or nutrient-rich shakes blending frozen fruits, veggies, and non-fat yoghurts.

2. Lunch

Opt for performance-enhancing foods. Bean burritos or grilled chicken sandwiches can serve as solid nutrient bases.

FUELLING YOUNG FOOTBALLERS
June 2023 Football Mania 40

3. Dinner

Recovery is key. Think pasta with meat sauce accompanied by a salad and whole-grain Italian bread with olive or canola oil spread plus low-fat milk is a perfect recovery meal for youth footballers.

INTRIGUED

For a deeper dive into building muscle with protein from whole foods, scan the QR code or explore the full article (https://youthsportnutrition. com/blogs/teamysn-forum/ build-muscle-with-proteinfrom-foods).

PRO TIP

Try to include protein in every meal to help muscles recover. Remember, while most teens naturally intake enough protein, those falling short might consider YSN’s NUTRI-TEEN Shakes for a boost of protein, essential vitamins and minerals, carbs, and fats!

For tailored nutritional advice, book a consultation with YSN’s experienced nutritionists. They're ready to assist you in navigating the intricate field of youth sports nutrition.

June 2023 Football Mania 41

1st year was a huge success POPPIES4KITS

Poppies4Kits was set up in 2014 with the aim of allowing players from grassroots through to the lower leagues to be able to wear a Poppy to pay respects on Remembrance Weekend, the 1st year was a huge success & the following year we became Corporate Partners with the Royal British Legion.

The poppies are woven patches which have a self adhesive backing, just peel off the backing, apply to your shirt, then after the match simply remove, a simple but very effective concept.

There are 3 designs to choose from in the poppies. Every year the appeal has continued to grow, not only raising valuable funds but also keeping the awareness of the RBL, but also the memory of those who gave (& continue to give) their lives & services to our country.

We have added more products to the range, in 2021 we introduced the Poppy Black Armband & in 2023 we are pleased to launch the Poppy Corner Flags.

As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary we are aiming to have our record year, adding to the already massive amount of over £200,000 previously raised.

You can find more information or purchase products from our website www.poppies4kits.co.uk

POPPIES4KITS
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LEAGUE OF ITS OWN:

STAR BACKS ‘MUST HAVE’ FOOTIE APP THAT TURNS PARENTS INTO COACHES

APP HELPS PARENTS TEACH THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT FOOTBALL, REGARDLESS OF FOOTIE EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS

A ground-breaking new app that helps parents and children learn more about football together is being hailed as a ‘musthave’ for families.

Family F.C. helps turn parents into football coaches, whatever their footballing abilities and fitness levels, giving them a great excuse to spend time with their kids while – perhaps – helping create footie stars of the future.

The easy-to-use app provides a comprehensive set of resources to help families get more out of their football time together, from warm-up and skill sessions through to a range of coaching activities developed specially to improve uptake of The Beautiful Game at grassroots level.

Family F.C. Director of Football Matt Jarvis, the former England, Wolves and West Ham defender, said:

‘Thisappisawinneronsomanylevels–it encourageschildrentoexerciseandhavefun;it

givesparentsafantasticopportunitytospend moretimeplayingwiththeirfamily;anditturns playtimeintoacoachingexperience,withoutever becomingdull.

Bestofall,youdon’thavetobeafootballwizardto makeuseoftheapp.Youcanhelpyourkidslearn toloveandmasterthegamewhateveryourlevelof footballingexperience.’

The app is a comprehensive and in-depth aid for any parent who would like to help their children improve their footie game, or who simply wants an excuse to spend more quality time with their family.

It features programmes designed for ages 4-6, 7-8 and 9-11, with lots of in-depth features.

Each session is designed to guide parents and children through a series of immersive, educational courses, supporting physical development, skills improvement and emotional wellbeing.

LEAGUE OF ITS OWN
PROGRAMMES FOR AGES 4-6, 7-8 AND 9-11, COVERING EVERYTHING FROM WARM-UPS TO SKILL BUILDING
GREAT EXCUSE FOR FAMILIES TO SPEND FUN, QUALITY TIME TOGETHER AND IMPROVE THEIR GAME AT THE SAME TIME
June 2023 Football Mania 44

Matt Jarvis added:

‘Asadadoftwomyself,Iseethevalueof spendingtimetogetherasafamily,enjoying timeoutdoorsandlearningnewskills.

‘TheFamilyF.C.appprovidesanideal platformtopromotethebenefitsoffootball andhaveplentyoffunintheprocess–it reallyisamust-have.

‘Thebestthingis,whetheryou’reaparent who’splayedfootballinthepastorsimply wanttostayfitandhealthywhileinteracting withthekids,FamilyF.C.isdesignedto beaninclusiveexperience,regardlessof fitnessorskilllevel,somethingweknow canoftenbeabarrierforsomeparents.’

FOOTY WITH THE KIDS DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN... LEARN • PLAY CONNECT World’s best selling parents football coaching app WWW.FAMILYFC.COM LEAGUE OF ITS OWN
The app is available on www.familyfc.com

Creating a footballthemed bedroom is a fun project... CREATING A FOOTBALL THEMED BEDROOM

Creating a football-themed bedroom is a fun project that can bring the excitement of the sport into your personal space. Here are some steps and ideas to help you design the perfect footballthemed bedroom:

CHOOSE A FOOTY TEAM OR THEME

Decide on a specific football team or theme for your bedroom. You can choose your favourite football club or a broader football theme, like the FIFA World Cup, or even a general football-themed design with classic football elements.

WALL COLOURS & DECORATIONS

Paint the walls in the colours of your chosen football team or use neutral colours with footballthemed wall decals and posters. Add wallpaper or murals featuring football stadiums, players, or iconic football moments. Hang framed football jerseys or posters of your favourite players.

BEDDING AND LINENS

Get football-themed bedding with your team’s logo or football patterns. Add football-themed pillows and cushions to enhance the theme.

CREATING A FOOTBALL THEMED BEDROOM
June 2023 Football Mania 46

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

Look for football-themed furniture, such as footballshaped bean bags or chairs

Add football-themed rugs or carpets to the floor. Use football-themed lamps or lighting fixtures to create a cosy ambiance.

DISPLAY MEMORABILIA

Showcase your football memorabilia, such as signed footballs, helmets, or posters, in display cases or shelves. Use shelves or floating wallmounted displays to showcase trophies or football collectibles.

GOAL POSTS AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Consider adding a mini indoor football goal or net to give your room an interactive touch. Display footballs, shin guards, and other sports equipment as decorative elements.

FOOTBALL ART AND POSTERS

Frame and hang footballthemed art or motivational football quotes. Create a gallery wall with a mix of football-themed posters, photos, and prints.

PERSONAL TOUCHES

Customize your room with your name or favourite player’s name on the door or wall.

Add your football trophies or medals to a dedicated display area.

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN

Make sure your room is functional and organized. Consider adding shelves, drawers, or storage units for your football gear and other belongings.

CREATING A FOOTBALL THEMED BEDROOM
June 2023 Football Mania 47

DIY PROJECTS

Get creative with DIY projects, such as crafting football-themed wall art or re-purposing football gear into functional items.

Remember to keep the overall design balanced and avoid overwhelming the room with too many football-themed elements. It’s essential to create a space that reflects your love for football while maintaining a comfortable and relaxing environment for rest and sleep.

CREATING A FOOTBALL THEMED BEDROOM
June 2023 Football Mania 48

unique football tours

Touring Sport is a leading, independently owned sports travel management company. We provide a professional and friendly service, organising all aspects of a football tour, either abroad or within the UK.

We believe in delivering a unique brand of tour experience, which is designed to suit your own teams' requirements.

With over 20 years' experience in sports travel and a lifetime in professional, amateur and grassroots football, we appreciate the intricacies and the finer details of organising group sports travel and have built a reputation for quality tours, combined with unique experiences.

Don’ just take our word for it.

“Thank you so much for the amazing tour you have taken us on this past week. We are so grateful for your help, you truly made this experience unforgettable for our team. I cannot believe how far above and beyond you went to give us the trip of a life-time”. Touring team from the USA.

“I can not express our sincere gratitude to Jem for what he did for us. Considering it was a very late booking he went out of his way to make the trip superb. I shall make a determined effect to let everyone know what a superb company you are and what fantastic service we received. I can speak for our entire group when I say that Touring Sport were simply superb”. Football Tour to Holland.

Football Tours Video Link h�ps://youtu.be/FDKtsswh9ak

Football Tours Designed Around Your Team.

Tailor Made Tours To Suit Your Teams Football Requirements

Across All Levels, Ages and Abilities

Grassroots to Professional Juniors, Youth, Seniors & Veterans Boys, girls, Men’s, Women’s

Fixtures, Tournaments & Training

Friendly Fixtures, International Tournaments & Pre Season Training Camps

Football Tours Suitable For Schools, Clubs, Colleges, Universities, Academies & Professional Teams

Professional Coaching & Workshops

With Professional Coaches At Leading Clubs & V enues

Stadium Tours Behind The Scenes

Unique Experiences At Iconic Stadiums and Training Complexes

Financial Protection

ATOL Protected

PTS Financially Secure

touringsport.co.uk
Contact
Online: touringsport.co.uk Email: info@touringsport.co.uk Telephone: 0118 921 9111
Jem Hancock

Unique, high quality sports gifts perfect for any sports fan... GOOD TEAM ON PAPER

Good Team On Paper create unique, high quality sports gifts perfect for any sports fan. Our one-of-a-kind personalised junior team prints are custom designed for each individual team, featuring the kit design worn throughout the season and the names of all the players and coaches involved. These prints make fantastic gifts for coaches, parents or anyone else involved in the team!

Our best-selling classic kits prints, showcase some of the most iconic kits that players have worn throughout the history of your favourite club. Football teams from all English leagues are covered and also international, rugby and cricket teams.

We also have a huge range of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and mugs. No matter which team you support, we are sure you’ll find something you’ll love.

GOOD TEAM ON PAPER
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You can transform your club or tournament logo into a high spec enamelled medal...

ENAMELLED BADGES

Bespoke Football Tournament Medals are becoming more popular with event football organisers choosing the better-looking medal to an off the shelf medal.

Here at Bespoke Sports Medals we love creating Bespoke Football Medals, you can transform your club or tournament logo into a high spec enamelled medal for as little as 1.39p

With sizes of Bespoke Football Medals from 40mm to,50,60,70,80mm all complete with a custom ribbon you are certain to get what you’re looking for perfect for grass roots festivals, club games or just rewarding.

With our bespoke medal service a vast selection

of gold, antique bronze, bronze, matt or shiny gold, matt silver, antique silver, silver, two-tone medals. If you require a higher spec football medal we can create any medal you wish:

CHOOSE CUSTOM FOOTBALL COINS

Bespoke football reward coins offer a unique and meaningful way to commemorate significant achievements, football anniversaries, and tribute

ENAMELLED BADGES
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football tournaments. Our custom football coins come in an extensive range of awe-inspiring designs, each unique to cater to your specific interests, and they vary in size and weight to meet your needs. Whether you desire to celebrate a landmark moment or surprise your loved one with an exclusive gift, our custom coins are undoubtedly the ideal choice to make it memorable. So why not consider sending in your logo today with many coin options including our free design service!

CONSIDER CUSTOM MADE FOOTBALL PINS

Consider Custom Made Football Pins Custom made football pins are a great way to show team spirit and unity. They are also an affordable way to commemorate special team events. Custom made football pins are a popular choice for teams of all levels.

bespokesportsmedals.com

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The HOME of authentic football memorabilia & sports competitions... SPORTS GAMER PRO

However We don’t just support MacMillan Cancer so If you are looking to help boost your charity fundraising events, no matter the charity, drop us a message to see if we can help.

Bespoke Football Tournament Medals are becoming more popular with event football organisers choosing the better-looking medal to an off the shelf medal.

Sports Gamer Pro is a sports memorabilia wholesaler that supply framed football memorabilia to pubs, grassroots football clubs and memorabilia shops across the UK. All of our items are professionally framed and come fully certified and accompanied by photo proof.

Our competitions include Last Man Standing Tournaments, Lucky 7 Competitions, Footie Scratch Cards and more.

We have raised thousands in the last year for MacMillan Cancer through our sporting memorabilia and the hard work from our pubs.

For further information

Call Joshua on – 077236 23896 Or visit our website www.sportsgamerpro.com

SPORTS GAMER PRO
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One of the leading sporting auction houses... MULLOCK JONES AUCTIONEERS

Mullock Jones Auctioneers are one of the leading sporting auction houses, with over 25 Years of experience in the industry. Proud of the reputation we have built and with a global audience Mullock Jones has been involved in auctioning items of great sporting history. One of the first Sporting auction houses to have appeared on Sky TV and to combine and adopt live auctions with the evolving digital age of online auctions.

Professional and personal services to buyers and sellers

Competitive commission rates

No sale, no fee

Ever heard of a gentleman called Bobby Moore…? Mullocks reached a record price for his World Cup England football shirt for £40,000, and more recently, had the pleasure of selling his first England International Cap as Captain, 1963 v Czechoslovakia for £11,000 along with others owned by him. Another starstudded historic piece was a magnificent George Best Limited Edition Fabergé Egg in gold and red finish which went to

Illustrated online catalogues

Bid from anywhere in the world with our live international bidding
MULLOCK JONES AUCTIONEERS
June 2023 Football Mania 56

auction and sold for £12,000. We’ve sold a rare and expensive Postponed Manchester United football programme v Leyton Orient, which was a printer's copy stopped in production, retained for reference only and not officially used which reached a whopping £7,000.

Mullock Jones, will over a typical year sell in excess of 4,000 lots of footballing history, which makes the job an incredibly diverse and thus exciting profession. Many of the auctions comprise of a wide variety of football programmes dating back to the early 1900s, right up to the current day, so if you’re a veteran collector, or looking to start collecting, then our auctions are certainly the place to delve and register interest.

A large part of our football auctions consists of matchworn, issued and replica football shirts, which is an everexpanding market and boasts a wide variety of teams and seasons alike. Something you can’t get in without, are match tickets…and our auctions have a superb selection of football match tickets, which are a highly collectable market, with a significant following.

Throughout the 25 Years, Mullocks have held auctions in various prestigious sporting venues, such as Molineaux, Principality Stadium Cardiff, The Hawthorns, and tied auctions in

with major Sporting events such as The Open Golf Championship in St Andrews, Hoylake and over in America, Pinehurst for the Hickory Golf Open!

We are centrally located which enables our expert team to travel throughout the UK to collect and value unusual and unique items, as well as large private collections. Our expert, passionate team has almost unrivalled knowledge of its sectors, is rightly renowned for its exceptional customer service, and is on-hand with valuations, advice, and guidance as you need it, hence the reason why we've developed long-standing relationships with clients and why buyers and sellers visit us time and time again.

We cover all aspects of Sporting Memorabilia and have large auctions of Fishing Tackle, Golf, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Boxing, as well as Toys, Watches and Collectables. Mullock Jones are always interested in talking with like-minded people, whether it be about their collections, thinking of collecting or offering advice to those who may need it.

Come and say hello at www.mullockjones.co.uk

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MULLOCK JONES AUCTIONEERS
• Professional and personal services to buyers and sellers • Competitive commission rates • No sale, no fee • Illustrated online catalogues • Bid from anywhere in the world with our live international bidding www.mullockjones.co.uk | 01952 453 254 | auctions@mullockjones.co.uk

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