A real moment of grassroots magic happened at the weekend that restored my faith in the sport, a child I’ve coached for about a year who came from a team who said he “wasn’t good enough”

In all the games he’s ever played (including training) he’s never ever scored, at the weekend we were getting beat 4-0 and the final whistle was about to blow, the team (u9) all asked me who was going to take the penalty.

I said Alex was going to take it, my heart was thumping so hard I could feel it through my jacket, I felt the will of the whole team, and the parents for the ball to go in, I wanted Alex to have his moment and believe anything is possible, well Alex scored, the final whistle immediately blew and my team celebrated like we had won the World Cup, not because of the result or even the goal but because a child who was told he “wasn’t good enough” got to be the hero.

The team were so happy for him it was an honour to watch such sportsmanship. Alex gave me a look I will never ever forget, in fact it gave me goosebumps.

Grassroots Snoods, perfect for Winter

Alex’s mum ran up to me and hugged me and said I would never know how much this meant to her and Alex, it really was one of the most magical moments I’ve ever been involved in.

I’m so proud to be a part of this great sport we call Grassroots Football.

A real Grassroots moment.

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