A family home was left heavily smoke-damaged and uninhabitable after a fire broke out in a garage at a residential property. The fire is reported to be under investigation, with an electric boot-drying device among the items believed to be a possible factor. The device had reportedly been used to dry children’s sports boots, a common practice in grassroots football households, particularly during winter months.

The occupant returned home to find the property filling with smoke and contacted the emergency services. Fire crews attended and brought the situation under control; however, the damage to the home was extensive. The family — two adults and two children — are understood to have temporarily relocated while repairs are assessed, which may take a significant period of time.

“It was terrifying,” she said. “We are so lucky to be alive. Ten minutes later and my whole house would have fully burnt down.”

The individual later described the experience as overwhelming, explaining that the smell appeared electrical in nature. Firefighters subsequently confirmed that opening the garage door could have presented additional danger at the time.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed attendance at the incident and stated:

“At shortly after 11.10am on Tuesday, January 13, three fire engines from Rochdale and Oldham fire station were called to a fire involving the garage of a detached house on Whitebeam Close, Oldham.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire and made the area safe alongside partners.

“The suspected cause of the fire was a fault with an electric device.”

The product referenced in reports was advertised as a “portable quick-dry shoe dryer” with a “220 volt British plug” and has since been removed from sale on TikTok Shop while further enquiries take place.

TikTok said: “We take the safety of our customers extremely seriously and we’re concerned to hear about this incident.
We have removed this product from our platform whilst we fully investigate this issue.”

A spokesperson for TeamGrassroots said the incident highlights the importance of ongoing safety awareness within the grassroots football community:

“Safety must always be the most important thing — especially when it comes to children and families. While investigations are ongoing, this situation is concerning because it involves a type of product commonly found in grassroots football households.”

They added:

“We would encourage parents, coaches, and volunteers to take a moment to review any electrical products used to dry boots or sports kit, particularly those purchased online. If there are any concerns around safety, certification, or condition, the product should not be used.”

“Grassroots football relies on families and volunteers, and ensuring their safety — both at home and around the game — must always come first.”

Legal Disclaimer

This post is shared for general safety awareness purposes only. All information referenced is based on reports available at the time of publication. The cause of the incident described remains subject to investigation, and no conclusions should be drawn regarding liability, fault, or product safety beyond what has been officially confirmed by the relevant authorities.

TeamGrassroots does not make any determination as to the cause of the incident and does not allege wrongdoing by any individual, organisation, or manufacturer. References to products or platforms are included solely in the context of public reporting and official statements.

Readers are encouraged to seek independent, professional advice regarding electrical safety and to follow guidance issued by manufacturers, retailers, and recognised safety authorities.

The Football Association [The FA] has launched an ambitious new strategy for grassroots football in England, providing clear direction for the next four seasons and addressing the short, medium and long-term challenges to serve and lead the game for the many millions that play nationwide.

The strategy, titled ‘Survive. Revive. Thrive.’, outlines seven transformational objectives through to 2024:

• Male participation – Modernised opportunities to retain and re-engage millions of male participants in the game
• Female participation – A sustainable model based on a world-class, modernised offer
• Club network – A vibrant national club network that delivers inclusive, safe local grassroots football and meets community needs
• Facilities – Enhanced access to good quality pitches across grassroots football
• Grassroots workforce – A transformation in community football by inspiring, supporting and retaining volunteers in the game
• Digital products and services – An efficient grassroots digital ecosystem to serve the administrative and development needs of players, parents and the workforce
• Positive environment – A game that’s representative of our diverse footballing communities, played in a safe an inclusive environment

The strategy, launched as grassroots football is able to return safely after lockdown from Monday, also identifies the immediate challenge, in light of Covid-19, to get grassroots football back on its feet. This includes continuing to focus on providing financial and business support to those that need it most whilst ensuring football can continue to be played in a safe and secure environment through The FA’s Covid-19 guidance.

The new strategy also sets out a number of goals to revive the game by addressing the areas that require particular attention. This includes increasing opportunities to ensure girls have the same access as boys to football in schools and clubs, and improving quality of pitches, with the aim of seeing 5,000 good-quality pitches added to the current number by 2024.

The four-season long strategy also takes a look ahead to ensure the game thrives. Not only encouraging new participation at every age group and from historically under-represented groups, but also harnessing the power of digital to better connect participants to the game they love. It also means ensuring the game is played in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

To coincide with the launch of the grassroots strategy and return of grassroots football, The FA has also published a new report that explores the social and economic value of grassroots football in England, finding its value to equate to £10.16bn each year.

This year’s report, which follows on from research published in 2019, quantifies the social and economic value across the entire lifetime of a player for the very first time, from childhood participation through to football in later life.

The report, titled “The Social and Economic Value of Adult Grassroots Football in England”, found that grassroots football in England has a considerable impact on a person’s mental and social wellbeing, highlighting mental health benefits for children and physical health benefits for older adults.

For more information go to www.TheFA.com

Shahid Khan has informed us today that he will be withdrawing his offer to buy the stadium – and we fully respect his decision.

Mr Khan believed that his offer to buy Wembley Stadium would release funds to help improve community football facilities in England and that it would be well received by all football stakeholders.

At a recent meeting with Mr Khan he expressed to us that, without stronger support from within the game, his offer is being seen as more divisive than it was anticipated to be and has decided to withdraw his proposal.

Wembley Stadium is an iconic venue that is revered around world and it will continue to thrive under the ownership and direction of The FA.

There has been much deliberation on both sides of this debate and it has undoubtedly raised awareness of the issue that community football facilities in England need significant investment.

We would like to thank the football stakeholders, Government, FA Board and Council members for their collaborative approach throughout this process. We will continue to work together to identify new and innovative ways of investing in community football facilities in the future.”

1) Has your team developed as a group?

League positions and trophies are the common way that coaches define ‘success’. However, there are other ways in which your season can be deemed successful. Have your group successfully implemented training ideas into games? Are the team happy to have equal playing time? Do the players take ownership for elements of training and matchday – such as the warm-up or arrival activities? Have you seen friendships begin to form?

2) Have individual players progressed?

Taking time to consider the individual development of each player in your squad is a good use of time. What was the individual like last summer when you had your first training session of the season? How have they developed across the four corners of player development: technical/tactical; physical; psychological; social. Don’t forget, for some players simply being more confident and willing to communicate at training and in the changing room is a huge success.

3) Have you improved as a coach?

Have you tried anything different with your coaching over the last 9 months? It might be something that you identified on an FA course, through feedback from others or from your own personal reflection. Changing your coaching philosophy and approach can be a long journey. Positive tweaks and changes to your methodology across the course of the season should be seen as success.

4) Has your communication with parents improved?

It is not only on the pitch performance that should be considered when reflecting on your season. What work has been done to develop positive relationships with the parents involved at your club?  Have you shared your playing and coaching philosophy? Have you involved the parents in any of the decision-making processes or involved them at training or on matchday? Time spent developing stronger relationships with all those involved in the club should be seen as a success.

5) Do you have a plan in place for next season?

It can be hard to objectively reflect on your season if you don’t have clearly defined targets to review against. Use this time of the year, and the questions above, to set some goals for next season. And, remember, success can be defined in many ways. What do you want to ‘win at’ next year?

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Article courtesy of the Fa Bootroom

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