🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 25: Rejection in Grassroots Football

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Castbox & more

In Episode 25 of the Go Football Podcast, host Steve dives into one of the toughest but most important topics in grassroots football: dealing with rejection.

Whether you’re a player who didn’t make the squad, a parent watching your child get released, or a coach making tough decisions, rejection is something we all face in football.

From academy release to trial disappointment, being dropped from a Sunday League squad, or just not getting noticed — this episode explores what rejection really feels like, what it teaches us, and most importantly… what happens next.

🔍 In This Episode:

✅ Why rejection happens at all levels – JPL, grassroots, and academies

✅ The impact on young players’ mental health & motivation

✅ Stories of players who bounced back even stronger

✅ What coaches and parents should do when a player is let down

✅ Practical steps to move forward – development, mindset & second chances

✅ Your messages and stories from the grassroots community

🎤 We want to hear from YOU!

Have you or someone at your club dealt with rejection?

💬 Email us your story at gofootballpod@gmail.com or DM us on social media.

📺 Watch the full video podcast on YouTube

🎧 Listen now on:

• ​Spotify
• ​Amazon Music
• ​Castbox
• ​YouTube

📲 Follow us on social media for more grassroots content

👉 TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter):

🗣️ Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the pod with your club mates, coaches, and players. Every share helps grow the grassroots community!

Big thanks to @Rush Sportswear - head over for there for kits with attitude, they don’t follow the trends they set them #feeltherush

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Great news for everyone Grassroots!

You can now get 10% off with Laceeze products by using the Coupon Code “ GoFootballPod “

https://laceeze.co.uk/?ref=GoFootballPod

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 24

"Grassroots Pre-Season: What Really Matters Before the Whistle Blows"

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Go Football Podcast, your trusted voice in grassroots football, hosted by Steve — a coach who’s been in the trenches and knows what makes grassroots tick.

This week, we dive into the pre-season period: the most underrated and misunderstood part of the football calendar. Whether you’re a coach looking to build a team that’s ready for the season, or a player looking to catch a coach’s eye, this episode is loaded with practical insight, personal experience, and real talk from the grassroots level.

⚽️ What This Episode Covers:

🧠 For Coaches:

Pre-season isn’t about the results on the scoreboard — it’s about building the foundations for your team’s success throughout the season. Steve breaks down exactly what coaches should focus on in July and August:

✅ Assessing fitness & sharpness without burning players out

✅ Testing formations, partnerships, and tactical changes

✅ Giving game time to trialists or new signings

✅ Building match fitness and improving decision-making

✅ Spotting the early signs of leaders and team culture

✅ Practising set pieces, transitions, and in-game challenges

Plus, Steve shares lessons from previous episodes, Episode 14 - Fitness in Football & Episode 15 - Tactics vs Basics — all linked to how teams prepare mentally and tactically.

🔥 For Players:

This episode is packed with tips for players who want to stand out in pre-season, especially if they’re:

Joining a new team

Hoping to play more minutes this year

Preparing for trials in grassroots clubs

What coaches are looking for in a player

Here’s what Steve recommends:

⚡ Turn up fit and focused — but don’t overtrain

⚡ Show that you’re coachable: listen, adapt, communicate

⚡ Mindset is a must - be positive and have a good workrate

⚡ Help your teammates, talk, and lead — even if you’re quiet

⚡ Be consistent across friendlies and training — not just one game

Steve also discusses how coaches really judge players, and why some talented kids fall short — while others with the right mentality go far.

🎧 Listen on Your Podcast Platforms:

Wherever you listen, we’re there:

🔗 Spotify:

🔗 Amazon Music:

🔗 Castbox:

🔗 YouTube (Video Edit):

🎧 Don’t forget to hit Follow, Subscribe, and Rate the show — it really helps more coaches, players, and parents find us.

💬 We Want to Hear From You!

Got a pre-season tip, success story, or nightmare? We want to feature your stories in upcoming episodes.

📩 Email: gofootballpod@gmail.com

💬 DM on social media:

📸 Instagram: @go_football_coaching/

🎵 TikTok: @gofootballcoaching

🎵 TikTok: @gofootballpodcast

🐦 X (Twitter): @gofootballcoach

📘 Facebook: @Go-Football-Coaching

We’ll shout out the best stories in future shows!

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🎙️ Go Football Podcast – Episode 23: JPL vs Grassroots – What’s the Real Difference?

In Episode 23 of the Go Football Podcast, Steve dives deep into one of the hottest debates in youth football: Junior Premier League (JPL) vs Grassroots Football. Is the JPL a better standard? Is it really worth the cost and commitment? Most importantly, is there a genuine pathway to the professional game from either route?

We explore the differences in coaching quality, competition level, player development, and the realities behind youth football pathways. Hear what coaches, parents, and referees really think about JPL and grassroots football and which environment might be best for your young player.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, player, or grassroots football fan, this episode gives you the insights you need to make informed decisions and understand the true landscape of youth football in England.

💬 We want to hear from YOU!

Got your own experiences or opinions about JPL or grassroots football? Drop us an email at gofootballpod@gmail.com or send us a message on our socials! Your stories and questions might feature in upcoming episodes.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Spotify:

Amazon Music:

YouTube

Castbox:

#GrassrootsFootball #JuniorPremierLeague #JPLvsGrassroots #YouthFootball #FootballPathways #FootballDevelopment #FootballCoaching #SundayLeague #FootballPodcast #GoFootballPodcast #FootballParents #FootballTraining #YouthSports #FootballCommunity #FootballSkills #FootballDebate #FootballOpportunities #FootballJourney #FootballTalent #FootballFuture #FootballTalk