This week, Ben and Mike are joined by Mike's wife and Raph's mum... Estelle Clark, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it’s like when your family signs up for grassroots football… and it takes over your life.

Estelle opens up about the good, the stressful and the downright ridiculous: from losing weekends to social plans ruined by tournaments. She talks parenting guilt, football obsession and learning what “lock on” means.

She explains how she flopped as kit manager, how Mike’s role as assistant coach brought him closer to Raph and how he’s grown as both a dad and a coach.

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This week, Ben and Mike are joined by Gemma Davies, proud mum of Alby, the goalkeeper who went from pirouettes and daydreaming to a fearless shot-stopper.

It’s a funny and deeply honest look at what it’s like to watch your child struggle in youth football — from Alby’s unpredictable early days outfield to the surprising moment he found his calling in goal.

Gemma gets real about the challenges of watching on the sidelines, the guilt that follows tough car journeys home and the emotional weight parents carry when things go wrong.

They laugh through the toenail complaints and cartwheels, dig into the raw parental emotions behind the game and explore how stepping back as adults can help our kids step up. There’s guilt, growth and a Prosecco or two along the way.

It’s a story about backing your kid when it’s hard, learning when to shut up and the transformation that happens when they finally find where they belong.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball

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Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

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This week, Ben and Mike dive into a tournament day full of sunshine, thrilling football and a semi-final face-off that left everyone in shock. But this one’s not just about the results, it’s about the messy, beautiful business of raising kids through football.

There’s Alfie’s meltdown that triggered a total rethink on parenting and coaching, a mindset coach who helped turn it around and Mike has his own wobble after snapping at Raph mid-game and reflects on the challenge of keeping calm when your kid freezes under pressure.

Freddie makes a pass worthy of the Louvre, Ollie channels his inner Cantona and a scout changes the mood with one well-timed conversation. This episode is about how we show up when our kids fall apart and why that’s when the real learning begins.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itsonlykidsfootballpodcast/

Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.