Ben and Mike deliver their most emotionally honest episode to date — a rollercoaster through three tough grassroots games, a confidence crisis for both of their sons, a sideline flashpoint and a revealing look at the hidden strain of being a parent-coach.

They talk honestly about shouting, pressure, overthinking, the pain of watching your child struggle and the moments that make you want to walk away from coaching completely. But this isn’t just about their team.

The episode widens into the bigger picture of grassroots football as they break down the results of their new nationwide survey — revealing how widespread sideline abuse, parent tension, lack of volunteer support and emotional burnout really are. From shocking anonymous stories to why coaches feel isolated, under-appreciated and overwhelmed, the survey becomes a backdrop to everything the boys experience on the pitch.

Amid the chaos comes hope: breakthrough conversations, growth in the toughest moments and a reminder that kids’ football is about building resilience, not protecting egos. This episode asks the uncomfortable question all parent-coaches face sooner or later.

Our latest research, in partnership with LoveAdmin and GoCardless, reveals a community full of passion, but stretched thin by patchy support, time, and financial pressure: Read the full report here.

New research highlights the need for calmer, more supportive sidelines in youth football - read more here.

Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/

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