YOUR OFFICIAL GUIDE TO FOOTBALL’S REAL ROOTS
GRASSROOTS MONTHLY
www.GRASSROOTSMONTHLY.COM
ISSUE 16
april 2015 £2.95
McDonald’s
We take a look at the fast food restaurant’s work in promoting and helping grassroots football.
‘Why more needs to be done’ Chief writer Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson has his say on the topic that has had the powers of football higher up the scale talking.
From poverty to the biggest stage The latest instalment of our series of footballers who made it big the more difficult way.
“THE ELITE NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE” GRASSROOTS MONTHLY CHATS EXCLUSIVELY TO BEN MOORCROFT-MORAN, A PART-TIME PLAYER AND REFEREE AND A PASSIONATE BELIEVER IN GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL PLUS: WHY GREG DYKE’S COMMENTS NEED TO INSPIRE CHANGE
CONTENTS
GRASSROOTS MONTHLY
APRIL 2015
www.grassrootsmonthly.com
4 THE WORK OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
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Taking a more imformative look at McDonald’s and their work in improving football in the community. 6 DRIVING IMPROVEMENT Following the chairman of the FA’s comments that grassroots football is ‘in crisis’ late last year, we examine how change needs to take place fast. 8 “EFFORTS NEED TO BE STEPPED UP” 8
Our exclusive interview with Ben Moorcroft-Moran on what he believes should be done. 10 JOSEPH RIETDYK-JOHNSON Grassroots Monthly’s chief writer gives his views on this long standing issue. 11 LUIS SUAREZ In our monthly series of ‘Climbing the hard way’, this week is the turn of the former Liverpool star.
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EDITOR - Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson ASSISTANT EDITOR - Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson PICTURE EDITOR - Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson NEWS EDITOR - Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson MAGAZINE EDITOR - Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson
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HELPING THE COURSE
As fears over the long-term future of grassroots football increase more and more, one of the world’s largest restaurant chains carry on doing their bit to ensure that everyone has a chance to play the beautiful game.
advice, better coaching for partnership has worked coaches, kits for teams to for ten years to make step onto the field in and the game as attractive as possible so more more recogination for people play the game. volunteers. It also announced that it I think this has worked would give more than 7,000 very well. The numbers accredited clubs the chance of players is going up to receive a brand new set all the time.”
By Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson
Major footballing bodies are often critisised for overlooking the needs of the next generation. But for years, despite being known for their clean reputation of selling Big Macs and Happy Meals, McDonald’s (centre right) has been one of the FA’s major partners in improving grassroots football and has been very clear with its intentions of improving the standard of playing and coaching in England. McDonald’s association with British football doesn’t just end with the FA. It is also involved with the other major football organisations in the UK and works with them to make football for young people a realistic but also acheiveable aim to pursue. Since 2002, they have been involved with all assosiations and after announcing a new four-year agreement to continue their association with football on these shores in September 2014, they announced a new programme named‘Better Play’. It will focus on raising standards at grassroots football clubs through better safety
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For a legend like Dalof football strips every glish (above) who year for the next four achieved seasons, the duration of plenty of success at the latest agreement. McDonald’s have been very Liverpool and Celtic, two giants of ambitious in their world football, to speak intentions to make so highly of the work themselves a major playthat McDonald’s have er in the development of present and future players, done only shows that their continuous hard hiring footballers past and present to promote and work to give grassroots football a permament oversee their campaigns. They include legends like lease of life has paid Kenny Daglish and Ian Rush dividends for areas and associations who wish and present players such as Arsenal midfielder Aaron to see grassroots have a place in the long term Ramsey. Dalglish is the McDonald’s direction of football. The Irish FA, the EngHead of Scottish Football lish FA, the Scottish FA and in March 2013, as the and Welsh Football Trust Scottish FA and the US fast have also backed a food giants celebrated 10 campaign labelled the years of being in partner‘Mum’s On The Ball’ ship, he lauded the impact which aims to raise that the partnership had awareness of the real brought to grassroots footpotential that mums can ball in Scotland. bring to coaching and He said: “The Scottish FA become qualified coaches and McDonald’s as a result of joining
courses which take place across the UK. This programme not only gives women who wouldn’t usually have an opportunity to pursue a coaching career in an industry that is such a difficult one to break into, it also gives them a realistic platform in which to begin their journey up the ladder. Speaking at the time of the campaign’s launch, Trevor Erskine, a member of the Irish FA and the IRA McDonald’s Grassroots Co-Coordinator spoke of the ‘great work’ that the partnership had brought to grassroots football and hoped that the campaign would encourage more mums to get involved in coaching. “The Mum’s on the Ball campaign represents an important step in encouraging mums from all walks of life
to get involved in football coaching. “Over 50 per cent of the total population in Northern Ireland are women and although more mums and women are getting involved in coaching there is still a deficit of active female coaches.” This just proves that McDonald’s efforts do not just stop at making sure that grassroots has a place in local communities, a large part of its intentions are also based on ensuring equality and
making sure that people, include opportunities for no matter what their clubs to secure funding gender is are given an op- for development projects, portunity that is no dif- information on coaching ferent than another that or running a club and is given. chances for youngsters Since 2001, The FA, with to walk out on a football the support of McDonpitch as a player escort. ald’s has an accreditation One McDonald’s worker scheme designed for grass- said that the roots clubs and leagues organisation deserves with its main aim being to praise in both an raise standards in grass- employability sense and roots football, support also for the tireless the development of clubs work that it does for and leagues, and recogboth grassroots football nising and rewarding them and local communities. for their commitment and “McDonald’s is a very achievements. good working environment Clubs who are judged to as it treats its be well-run and employees very well and sustainable, and which it also has that good prioritise child protec- unity within the work tion, quality coaching and force. fully participate in the “But I have also noticed ‘Respect’ programme can be the amount of work that rewarded with The FA they do both in the local Charter Standard community and also for accreditation. Clubs who grassroots football. “McDonald’s has a policy are given the to ensure that their cusaccreditation are then given tomers are given a good dining experience. But it the challenge to progress to also aims to see the lothe next level cal communities that they or to maintain serve also thriving.” Of course the campaign that level. isn’t just about teams There is one accreditation asking for funding and level for leagues and that getting it straight away. There are a number of is that they can procedures involved become an official FA Charbefore the go ahead is ter Standard League. given. The campaign to give grassroots football teams However to see such a the kick-start they need large organisaion and one of the most has also gone online. McDonald’s Kick-Start is recognisable brands in the world be involved in a website solely one of the longest dedicated to grassroots campaigns in sport and football. It gives individuals and show their commitment teams who are involved in in a huge way only shows that there are figures out grassroots football the there that see a future opportinity to secure financial backing and also for grassroots. McDonald’s are in the offers inventives. These game for the long-term.
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THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT
longer wait than the 49 years that it has waited for success in a major tournament. Many fans see this being due to the lack As the elite of English football get richer of talent due to the record breaking Premier League coming TV deal, critics predict that none or little of that money will be invested back through the into local football. It is wrong and unless ranks and it is resolved soon, it may be too late to being given save grassroots in the UK. the opportunity to estabilsh By Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson themselves at club Speaking in an interview level. with the BBC last October, FA chairman Greg Dyke expressed his concerns about grassroots football being ‘in crisis’ and admitted that more needed to be done to safeguard its future. In the interview he spoke of how England were behind The last notable English the likes of Holland and talents to come through Germany in terms of the the ranks and establish number of coaches who are themselves both at club in work and the facilities level and international on offer. level are Steven Gerrard It is no secret that the and Wayne Rooney. FA see the newly built St But Gerrard is 34 and has Georges Park as the key to retired playing the future of English internationally and is football in order to make leaving Liverpool at the up ground on the likes of end of the season to Spain and Germany. Both play the final years of have seen their efforts in his career in the US with providing the best possible LA Galaxy. Rooney, meanopportunities for while, is still very much aspiring players and coach- a fixture in the England es pay off in recent years starting XI but is just a as they have both shared few months shy of his 30th two European Championships birthday. and two World Cups between There IS talent them with Spain winning playing schoolboy and three of those. Sunday football. The probThe England national lem is though, the clubs team’s poor showing at last and parks that they spend summer’s World Cup in trying to be talent spotBrazil has led to fears of ted by scouts representing the country facing an even professional football
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clubs are being either forced to close down due to a lack of funding or they can no longer carry on functioning due to a lack of interest. The pressure on the Premier League and its 20 clubs to invest significantly into grassroots football has only increased in the past month due to the record breaking TV deal worth over £5 billion which will come into force from the start of the 2016/17 season. Experts even reckon that figure will increase when future deals are struck out. As the money being pumped into football goes up by each passing year, it is staggering to see grassroots football in the situation that it finds itself in some quarters. The FA led by its chairman Greg Dyke, (centre), with the backing of McDonald’s have come up with a number of schemes and gone to extreme efforts to encourage more people to get involved in football and keep more local teams open for business. The problem is that they both need more support and backing to see their efforts reach out far wider. The Premier League have spoken briefly about their intentions to contribute to give grassroots a better future. But for a organisation blessed with the finances that they receive from companies that help to fund their competition, their efforts have been
One of many abandoned grassroots pitches all across England and the UK. “There’s a degree of crisis in what’s happening in grassroots football” - Greg Dyke, October 2014. effortless at best and So look around the shop window. need to contribute more. league and you will noThe hope is that clubs This season’s best tice that some of Engwill see naturing from players and percieved by land’s elite clubs are within the ranks and many as the biggest stars, beginning to give opporpotentially saving Diego Costa, Phillipe tunities to themselves millions of Coutinho and Alexis local talent once more pounds in the inflatSanchez are all from South and there may be some ed transfer market will America. However many light at the end of the see grassroots take on experts and fans reckon tunnel for England in or- greater signifiance, and that England may have der to push on and chalwe will finally see footfinally found someone who lenge the best national ball’s leading bodies and can be at the centre of teams on the planet. local authorities uniting the next generation in Clubs struggling both together and giving Harry Kane, an unknown 21 financially and in a comgrassroots not just a year-old who has scored petitive sense being better tomorrow but a over 20 goals for bailed out by rich benebetter outlook for many Tottenham Hotspur so far factors and being able to years and decades to this season. fund a quick rise to the come. 20 year-old Raheem top will soon be a thing But for that to happen, Sterling of Liverpool has of the past with the it requires decisive also rose to prominence in upcoming Financial Fair action NOW. the last 12 months and has Play rules introduced by Peers Dyke and Scudabecome an important asset UEFA soon to take full more need to show that for both club and couneffect. they are up for the fight try; and is reportedly on In order to discover the ahead and put the needs the verge of signing a new best local talent, that of young people ahead of long-term contract which talent need both the best financial gain. will see him become one of facilities and the Grassroots football can of Liverpool’s highest opportunities to be able be the answer to many earners. to put themelves on the of the game’s problems.
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BEN MOORCROFT-MORAN EXCLUSIVE “PROFESSIONAL CLUBS NEED TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS”
WE CHAT TO UNIVERSITY STUDENT, PLAYER AND REFEREE BEN ON HOW HE FEELS THE FUTURE OF GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IS IN THE HANDS OF THE POWERS ABOVE By Joseph Rietdyk-Johnson
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Many football fans and followers believe that grassroots football has a future in the game. Ben Moorcroft-Moran is no different and is keen for the Premier League and the biggest clubs to help do their bit to fund grassroots and give youngsters a platform to make the step up from Sunday league football to professional level. During our chat, Ben pointed to a number of factors as to why grassroots seems to be failing and one of them was the infrastructure that the English game has in place. “I think the main problem with grassroots football is the availibility for younger children to get involved in football within a well structured environment. “This means having the funding for the correct facilities and playing areas as well as funding qualified coaches who are committed to creating a good environment for children to enjoy the sport.” The new Premier League TV deal announced in early February which will be worth over £5 billion over a three-year period has only heated up the
20 year-old Ben attends Bangor University and has played football from a very young age and also has aspirations to become a qualified referee.
pressure on the Premier League and England’s 20 top division clubs to put some of their slice of the fortune back into grassroots. The Bangor University student believes that future deals should be monitored in a way that money IS invested back into grassroots football. “The money which is given to the Premier League from TV broadcasters such as Sky should be monitored in such a way which encourages funding to be direct towards football in the community.” The English game is seen as one of the richest in the world and with the Premier League more than just an organisation in the sense that it is also a brand all over the world, it is surprising to see football lower down
the scale struggling to stay afloat in such a major footballing country such as England. Ben not only suggests that the playing side needs more attention, he also thinks that coaching finds itself in the same position, an area he thinks is key if the country has any hope in bringing through the next big things. “For English football to improve on a competitive international level, I believe that more funding needs to be directed towards the coaching aspects of grassroots football, therefore giving more structure and support to young developing players. “Professional clubs can help support grassroots football in their local community by supporting
As well as playing outfield, Ben (right) also referees in matches and has even officiated in summer football tournaments. He is also an Everton supporter and attends matches regularly.
the development of local say a 27 year-old who has grassroots leagues with been playing more funding going professionally for a towards faciities in number of years and an 11 coordination with the year-old are bound to be council and local youth different in some ways. groups.” “It probably has do with Ben from Allerton, how that person matures Liverpool is in his third and gets more used to the and final year at Bangor knows and hows of life. University and has been “As you get older, you studying History and tend to see an every day English Literature. He is occupation as more like a member of the a job but when you are university football team younger, you are still and has always been a keen maturing and have less player of the game. worries in the sense that “I play football for the you can enjoy it more. university and I play “But I think the major football with a group of differences between a friends in a five-a-side professional player and league. a young boy playing the “I also seen it as a form game in front of 50 to of family bonding as my 100 people on a park field brother Joe played it and comes down to money. my father watched us play “I believe it and coached the both of overshadows the passion us.” that the majority of proWe also spoke about the fessional footballers massive diffrences between have for football and it the modern day player and is more evident in the young players in terms of younger generations and their attitude towards the in grassroots football game. because it is not their “The differences between occupation and they do it
purely out of enjoyment.” We move onto whether Ben thinks that enough is being done by the brokers above to help save grassroots and he suggests that the FA should do more to encourage people to get involved. “I believe that the FA has a huge respensibility in ensuring the development of football at all levels, from the Premier League right down to grassroots football. “Players and coaches looking for that break into the professional game need the encouragement and support from the likes of the FA and one of their main priorities should be to intergrate them into the Premier League and other professional football leagues.” So what is the overall attitude of grassroots in English society? According to the former Calderstones School student, society sees it as a vital way to maintain their enjoyment of football and getting involved in the sport. “I think that throughout the UK, football is generally considered one of the most popular sports and is therefore one of the most funded sports in the Kingdom. “Therefore I think that grassroots football is an important part of maintaining the interests of those who play the sport and it is an integral part of the structure and development of football.” So how about the future for Ben in the game. “As a passionate player and referee, I will always be involved in football.”
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JOSEPH RIETDYK-JOHNSON OUR CHIEF WRITER GIVES HIS MONTHLY VIEW ON ALL THINGS GRASSROOTS
VITAL WE SEE ELITE CLUBS INVESTING INTO THE GAME LOWER DOWN THE SCALE
Tuesday 10th February 2015 proved a major change in an already inflated landscape in football. It was announced that Sky and BT Sport had agreed a mouthwatering deal worth over £5 billion to continue showing the Premier League with the threeyear agreement starting in 2016. The focus didn’t just
their strong intentions to improve the opportunities on offer to youngsters in this country but the truth is, they are too focussed on pursuing the next TV deal or ways to make their ‘brands’ the best in the world. Football and sport in general is an industry where making money is just as important to a team or individual as the winning and understandable as without the balance sheet flowing, the game struggles to stay afloat. But in an age where clubs get richer and the competition backers flourish even more, it is important that a proper plan is put in place to ensure that any child that potentially could be the next Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney is given the best turn to the fact that the opportunity possible. cost to screen ONE match will cost an average of £10.19 million but how much of the money that clubs will recieve will be invested back into the game as a whole. There is no doubt that for the next generation of players coming through, they need not only the best facilties but also the opportunities to go on and eventually fulfil their potential. The FA and the Premier League always mention
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As more and more amateur clubs close their gates due to a lack of funding, it is also reducing the chances of talented individuals being headhunted and being handed the opportunity to showcase their talent. There is also a major concern amongst English fans that the large influx of foreign players has seen clubs overlook the possibility of discovering someone they can call their own. Clubs, the FA, the Premier League and local councils need to sit down and discuss ways how investments that are coming in from far and wide can be spread out to give areas in England the funding to improve parks and clubs that have the potential to work wonders but are forced to close down due to outside issues. Clubs all over Europe are under pressure to maximise their businesses in order to cope with the forthcoming Financial Fair Play rules which ensures that clubs can only spend what they generate, ending the days when an individual’s cheque book can transform a club overnight which makes finding from within even more vital. The clout is there and will only grow so its time to act, and act fast.
CLIMBING THE HARD WAY IN OUR MONTHLY SERIES, WE TAKE A LOOK AT URUGUAYAN SUPERSTAR LUIS SUAREZ WHO ESCAPED THE POVERTY BACK HOME TO BECOME ONE OF FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST NAMES
But it wasn’t until Growing up in the backBrendan Rodgers took streets in Salto, Uruguay, over in June 2012 that Luis Suarez was just like Suarez’s goal record any ordinary boy. for the club really took One of seven children, off. Saurez and his family moved In 2012/13, he strook to the Urguguayan capital 30 goals and despite of Montevideo and his life missing the first few was to change forever. weeks of the following His father’s decision to season due to suspenmove the family due to work sion, he still ended commitments began a gloriup being the league’s ous chapter for 6-year old leading goalscorer and Luis. his 31 goals took LivSuarez had a hunger to one erpool the closest they day become a footballer have ever been to a first from a very young age. His league title since 1990. family knew of his ability In July 2014, the Reds with a ball and made it one reluctantly accepted a of their main priorities £75 million offer from to find him an opportunity. Barcelona and despite Little-known Urrenta decided to give Luis a trial Suarez (above) came to fruition failing to yet hit the during his spell at Liverpool. heights from his time and he was named amongst at Anfield, his new team their team substitutions. Trailing 2-0, they looked since taken a step in the are still in a healthy to Suarez for inspiration right decision, albeit with position both domestically and in Europe to and the decision paid div- a few hurdles along the challenge the attacking idends as he scored a hat- way. Ajax were the team where riches of arch-rivals trick and turned the game he made his name when he Real Madrid. in Urrenta’s favour. As the years progressed, signed for them. He netted Suarez is also a god Suarez’s progress contin- 111 times in just 159 ap- back home in his native Uruguay where he is ued but not without a few pearances. His last game for the club ended controtheir record goalscorer hurdles along the way. versally after he bit PSV and most recognisable In 2003, his then-girlfriend Sofia and her family Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal. figure. In January 2011, he was on Wherever this little moved to Barcelona and it his way to Liverpool and magician has landed, he was a decision that hurt to the Premier League in a has never failed to make Luis but also spurred him £22.8 million transfer. the headlines both good on. or bad. Dutch side Groningen gave Suarez was a cult hero On the pitch, he is a Suarez the opportunity he on The Kop straight away and despite a rather mod- fierce competitor willwanted to play in Europe est goalscoring record for ing to go to any lengths in order to be closer to his high standards in his in order to gain victory his first-love. Luis and Sofia were reunit- first full season, he still but love him or loathe him, he is a real talent ed with each other and bothplayed a massive part in their relationship and his helping the club to win the who any team would have League Cup and get to the in an instant. footballing career have FA Cup final.
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