This week, Ben and Mike are joined by Asmir Begovic—a Premier League-winning goalkeeper who’s faced Messi, endured Tony Pulis’ gruelling pre-seasons and played under prime José Mourinho.

Begovic shares his remarkable journey from fleeing war-torn Bosnia as a child to becoming a top-class keeper. With stories of training like Rocky—running up snowy hills and battling brutal Canadian winters under his dad’s unforgiving training regime—he reveals the immense dedication and grit required to reach the top.

He also takes time to assess young Alby’s goalkeeping highlights, offering invaluable advice on bravery, technique and what it takes to excel in the game. Packed with life lessons from an elite-level goalkeeper and a reminder to enjoy it all, because let’s be honest, it’s only kids’ football, isn’t it?

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Asmir Begovic Academy: https://ab1academy.com/

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This week, Ben and Mike find themselves deep in the trenches as the team endures a streak of disappointing defeats, including tough losses to their inter-club rivals.

Ben opens up about the challenges he's facing with his son Alfie, who's struggling with a loss of confidence and learning how to bounce back after mistakes. Balancing support and discipline proves trickier than ever, as Alfie's emotional highs and lows leave Ben questioning his coaching approach.

Amidst the chaos and tears, there's a hamster to bury and cheeky voice notes from a rival manager taunting Ben and Mike after inflicting a painful defeat. The duo try implementing new motivational techniques but fail to spark the boys, leaving the managers wondering if they're speaking another language.

Messy, emotional, and seemingly more serious than life or death—it's just kids' football, right?

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This week, Ben and Mike bring in a guest guaranteed to change your perspective. Our clueless duo welcomes renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to the pod. Having worked with elite players and coaches like Arne Slot, Gareth Bale and Eddie Howe, Dan is here to help us coach from the sidelines—without emotionally scarring our kids in the process.

He shares practical, actionable advice to boost both your performance and your child’s, from mastering your Game Face to squashing ANTs and creating your own Coach’s Head.

They dive into the challenges of coaching young players, the psychological tools to build confidence and resilience, plus stories of sideline meltdowns, Brighton academy thrashings and the ultimate no-no: starting a car journey with, “So… how do you think you played?”

If you’re a regular listener, you know the drill: tune in for laughs, honest confessions, and surprisingly good advice. And if you’re new, buckle up. Because remember, It's Only Kids' Football… but it’s also the most important thing ever.

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In Episode 18, Ben and Mike relive the highs and lows of their latest two games, which left them planning European tours and doing victory dances in the kitchen.

Then, it’s a reality check as their boys step up to face Brighton’s academy team—spoiler: it wasn’t pretty, but the lessons hit harder than the tackles.

While Ben starts to show signs of listening to his son and learning to ease off, Mike struggles to contain his frustration, bringing about some much-needed introspection.

There are candid confessions about coaching errors, debates over pushing vs. praising, and discussions on the importance of stepping back so the kids can shine.

Plus, there’s the introduction of a new ‘Teammate of the Week’ award and how a sneaky Burger King took the sting out of a challenging car journey home.

It’s another rollercoaster of footballing emotions and a reminder that, win or lose, it’s still only kids’ football… right?

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This week, Ben and Mike sit down with ex-Premier League star Marc Pugh—once a flying winger, now the king of kale. While Mike confesses his love for Burger King, Marc reveals the secrets behind his Spartan lifestyle and a six-pack that could double as a washboard.

They dive into nutrition, rejection and why your kid's Cheerios might be sabotaging their shot at glory. Marc also shares tales from his grassroots days, breaking records and catching the attention of scouts.

If you’ve ever wondered what your little star should eat before, during and after a match—and what to avoid like a red card—this episode is for you.

Grab a rice cake, brace for a guilt trip and get ready to rewrite your shopping list.

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Leigh Ramblers Black U8s are back in form and Ben and Mike are absolutely buzzing—well, mostly. While the kids are smashing it on the pitch, the dads are struggling to keep their heads on the sidelines.

Alfie’s hit a rough patch and Ben’s convinced it’s all his fault for going full drill sergeant. Can they figure out how to get the best out of Alfie without Ben losing the plot?

Meanwhile, Mike’s lad Raph joins goal machine Freddie Lambourne on a dream trip to Crystal Palace’s training ground, aiming to dazzle scouts from the Premier League club. And, as always, Alby steals the show with his trademark mix of madness and charm.

Expect goals, gaffes and a hefty dose of goalkeeper chaos.

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In this episode of It's Only Kids Football, former West Ham and Wolves winger Matt Jarvis joins hosts Ben Welch and Mike Clark to share his journey from grassroots football to the heights of the Premier League—and now, back on the sidelines as a supportive dad.

The England international opens up about the unique experience of being raised by elite athlete parents and how it’s influenced his own approach to guiding his son in sport. Jarvis reflects on his early sporting experiences, his family’s dedication and the lessons he's learned about balancing commitment with keeping football fun.

The hosts chime in with relatable stories of their own ups and downs as fathers and amateur coaches.

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With Mike living it up in Dubai, Ben is left to hold down the fort alongside Adam, the dad of Leigh Ramblers’ very own grassroots Gazza, Ollie. They dive into the team's recent triumphs—two wins in a row—featuring Alby’s chaotic antics and Freddie’s match-winning heroics. Ben candidly shares the ups and downs of being a parent-coach and how it’s tested his relationship with his son, Alfie.

They also reminisce about the hilarious moment Ollie sent a football cannoning into Ben’s head right in the middle of a team talk. Adam provides valuable advice for parents navigating the world of pro academies as he supports two of his sons in the pursuit of their dreams.

Together, they discuss the challenge of fostering good habits without squeezing the joy out of play. Adam also shares his experience as a sideline spectator, witnessing all the drama of the matches—and the emotional rollercoaster endured by Ben. If you’ve ever wondered what grassroots football truly looks like, this episode offers an honest and entertaining peek behind the curtain.

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Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

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