Football should be fun for children, not another source of pressure. Last week, at the Harrogate International Academy here in Harrogate, we ran our first session with awesome, inspirational Andy Clark as coach. This one hour, at Rossett High School’s astroturf pitch, was a beautiful reminder of what football is really about: freedom, fitness, and life lessons. By the end, our gang of Year 8s didn’t want to go home.

I’ve always loved football. It’s given me countless moments of joy and taught me so much about life. What I love most? All you need is one ball and some jumpers for goalposts. It’s the most democratic of games. On the pitch, personalities shine, teamwork is tested, and everyone plays their part. Whether you’re the best player or just starting out, football brings people together in ways few other activities can.

Too many kids today are weighed down by high expectations. They’re tested, tracked, and timed from a young age, and we wonder why they’re not thriving. They’re constantly connected through their phones, but they’ve lost the ability to organise simple meetups for a game outside. Let’s give them space to play, to enjoy, and to grow.

If you’re looking for a place where football is about more than just winning, come and see what we’re doing. Perhaps, just perhaps, we might organise a friendly match between Harrogate Town and Tenerife….

Since starting the academy, I have re-read my comment piece in The Yorkshire Post about education in a post-Covid world – see Yorkshire Post article “One Parent’s Plea”, where I call for a rethink of how we support our kids. Four years on, I stand by that piece still.

Football, for me, isn’t just a game—it’s a path to freedom, connection, and lifelong pleasure. That’s what I want for the next generation. Let’s bring back the joy.

(Photo is of my beloved Ewood Park)