There is a myriad of football formations in the modern age, some of which are universally popular such as the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1. However, there are others that are decidedly more trend-driven and fleetingly popular, including the currently in-vogue 3-4-2-1 system....

The term “golden generation” has been applied to various international sides down the year, with recent iterations including the English and Portuguese teams of the noughties. While neither of these sides was able to fully realise their potential or yield the fruits...

When France won the World Cup in 2018 following a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, many believed that it could kickstart another period of dominance for Les Blues on the international stage. Ultimately, Didier Deschamps’ men couldn’t emulate the...

When Belgium slumped to a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, it appeared as though the country’s so-called “Golden Generation” had reached something of a watershed moment. While it becomes increasingly unlikely that the world’s...

Of all the footballing organisations in Europe, the KNVB in Holland is arguably the one that’s most steeped in history and heritage. Founded in 1889, it continues to organise all aspects of football in the Netherlands, from youth structures and fifth-class amateur...

With the delayed European Championships fast approaching, all eyes will be on the England national team as they look to end a 55-year major tournament drought. There’s no doubt that a heavily funded grassroots structure has been at the heart of England’s recent...

If you watch any Premier League game in the modern age (especially those involving sides such as Manchester City and Chelsea), you’ll see an increased focus on team shape both in and out of possession. This not only enables players to remain compact and press the ball...

Whenever you launch a grassroots or youth football team, there’s an aspiration that this side will ultimately fulfill its optimal potential. This isn’t always the case, however, with the Portuguese national side offering a relevant case in point. Despite the success...

Switzerland enjoyed a stellar run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 (including a superb penalty shootout win over current world champions France), with this capturing the attention of fans from across the globe. However, this success won’t have come as a surprise to...

It’s an immense shame that England’s heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy resulted in such angry post-match scenes, especially as the Three Lions historic run had helped to unify much of the country during the previous three months. However, there can be no...

Grass Roots Set-up around the World - Italy While the grassroots football system in Italy hasn’t always been widely celebrated, it has begun to earn some international accolades in recent years. Most recently, the ‘Divisione Calcio Paralimpico e Sperimentale’ has won...

Grass Roots Set-up around the World We’ve already written extensively about grassroots football in Germany and Italy, with both of these nations having revamped their youth setups over the course of the last 20 years or more. Another country that has undergone a...

When Wales took on the mighty Brazil in a friendly match in May 2000, supporters were concerned about how the Welsh fullbacks would cope with the brilliant wing play of players like Cafu, Ze Roberto and the precocious Denilson. Fortunately, Mark Hughes had an answer,...

It’s fair to say that Germany entered Euro 2000 in high spirits, with the team focused on defending the title that they won in England at the end of the 1996 tournament. However, the German’s hotly-anticipated defence was left in tatters after just three group stage...

Grassroots football has come under incredible focus lately, particularly with the proposed formation of the European Super League and its potential impact on the existing pyramid structure in England. However, we’ve seen billions pumped into grassroots systems...

With the delayed European Championships fast approaching, all eyes will be on the England national team as they look to end a 55-year major tournament drought. There’s no doubt that a heavily funded grassroots structure has been at the heart of England’s recent...

The sound of the thud of the ball, the calling and shouting, the rustling of the net. We’ve all heard these noises when we’re playing down our local 5-a-side pitches. But not all of us would have heard the fascinating story of LGTBQ+ Sunday league football team,...

If you’re a football fan, it’s thankfully not hard to catch your favourite team playing - even if you can’t be there in person. In fact, there have never been so many ways to watch football, whether you’re at home, at a mate’s house or out and about with friends. But...

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, while it’s certainly the most-watched and followed in the UK. Because of this, we have a thriving grassroots scene on these shores, which is renowned for generating some of the finest British players of recent...

It remains one of the world’s most loved sports, and one which crosses international boundaries, cultures and all demographics. Football - or ’soccer’, as it might be known in your area - also has a fascinating history about which you may not be aware. Why look into...

What is Futsal? Futsal is a variant of football that is played indoors on a hard-court floor, smaller than a normal football pitch. It does have similar features to five-a-side football such as the number of players (one goalkeeper and four outfield players) but no...

We sell a variety of woven and knit products across our website and we are often asked what is the difference between the two when purchasing shorts, pants, jackets and tracksuits. The main difference between woven and knit fabrics is in the thread or yarn that...

Base layers look good but they aren't just a fashion statement. Base layers are garments made to purpose with technology to help improve player performance. From aiding in muscle recovery to improving comfort, there are benefits to base layers. Muscle Recovery The...

What is the difference between a training ball and a match ball? Is a common question in the footballing world that may initially appear obvious but can actually prove rather difficult to determine. The two most immediate differences are the individual ball's purpose...

There is a reason why we regularly see players utilising stoppages to grab a water bottle and rehydrate during football matches. Being adequately hydrated can be the difference between having that extra bit of energy to get past an opponent or running out of stream at...

Over the past decade, the game of football we all love has changed quite radically off the pitch. We have attended and presented at a number of County FA workshops and one that stood out for us was Hampshire FA’s “Marketing & PR” workshop. The clubs in attendance...