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.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball

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Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

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Join host Ben Welch in this fun and heartfelt episode as he sits down with Dean Russell, the dad behind the viral father-son goalkeeping duo that’s won the hearts of hundreds of thousands on social media and racked up millions of views.

Dean shares the journey of capturing his son Ollie’s football adventures—filled with viral saves, on-field tears and heartwarming moments.

From meeting Ollie's idols Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya to the real-life challenges of coaching your own kid, Dean doesn’t hold back on the highs, lows, and funny stories of being a football dad.

Packed with relatable parenting advice, practical coaching tips and a few laugh-out-loud stories, this episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches and grassroots football fans.

The video that helped Ben support Alfie after he made a mistake: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBG3gkjNQd4/

Follow Dean and Ollie on social media:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ollierussellgk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherandsongoalkeeping

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fatherandsongoalkeeping

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iokfootball

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iokfootball

Email: itsonlykidsfootballpodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ben and Mike take you through the emotional highs and lows of youth football coaching—complete with sleepless nights, frustrated shouting, and even a bizarre goal.

After three painful defeats, they dive into their pre-game anxiety and the overthinking that kept them tossing and turning. But with a little help from the parents and a return to simple tactics, the team pulled off a thrilling 6-4 win.

From Alfie’s occasional daydreaming to Alby’s newfound confidence in goal, Ben and Mike hilariously balance being supportive dads and demanding coaches. They explore the real challenge—managing their expectations while reminding themselves (and their kids) that it’s just a game… sort of.

X (Twitter): https://x.com/iokfootball

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iokfootball

Escape room training drill: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-DSepZo1sj/?igsh=MXdoZWVmdWlzdW1iYw%3D%3D

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.