19 Jul 2026 09:00:22
Controversial post coming. Do expect to get some opposing responses.
I’ve been coaching kids' footy for 16 years and most weeks experience poor behaviour of some kind, often from the opposing coach or parents rather than the kids.
The U15 team I look after recently won a big local cup final and in the semi had to put up with their manager (who’d been sent off earlier in the game) storming on the pitch shouting to me and my players (who are 15) you’re all f****** crap and will get battered in the final.
As a side note, our lads played 22 and won 19 in the top division in the league.
Anyway my point is that what I’ve enjoyed about this World Cup is seeing fans mixed together, smiling and dancing. When their team scores they celebrate rather than start gesturing and swearing etc at opposing fans.
I get the tribalism in club footy is ingrained and unlikely to change. I just don’t like elements of it especially when I see it seeping into kids' footy where it should have no place.
19 Jul 2026 09:49:42
Exactly, LTV.
Another reason for the thumbs up for this World Cup, and has there even been any fighting by the fans?
You're right tho, how can you expect kids to behave as footballers or fans when the adults can't?
{Ed001's Note - there has been loads of fights between fans, it is just that it has not got the coverage.}
19 Jul 2026 10:31:36
It's the same out of football. Kids get all the bad press, but adults are the biggest problem. From those in charge, downwards.
I'm a bus driver, I pick up loads of kids, and I'd have a bus full of them before a bus full of the older generations.
19 Jul 2026 10:42:12
Nothing controversial about that, @long term view. 100%.
19 Jul 2026 10:52:35
Despite the sports washing going on at this World Cup, the football has been enjoyable. So I guess the sports washing has worked lol.
A shame about the other team the tourney. I tend to feel empathy for people like that. Something ain't right with them, or not gone right for them to not have the emotional regulation to deal.
19 Jul 2026 13:39:37
LTV, I coached in grassroots from u8s to u17s, coaches fronting up, older kids headbutting, some threatening managers like myself, and we wonder why we see bad behaviour, it's a vicious circle. On the World Cup, there has been some fighting but not in the stadiums as far as I know. Wouldn't mess the American cops about.
19 Jul 2026 14:26:22
My nephew plays u14 rugby league and football. The difference between coaches/parents on sidelines is crazy. At football, I have seen punches thrown from parents. At rugby games, there's a bit of swearing, but after the game, everyone goes to the home team's club house and has a laugh together.
19 Jul 2026 16:07:56
Imagine watching a game with say United fans, never going to happen n I wouldn't want it to, it's the passion that makes our football the best atmosphere.
19 Jul 2026 09:33:49
Its possibly the biggest stain on the game long term view. At every level.
Rival fans need to be separated because of serious violence threats.
My opinion is that people can be passionate and still civil. God I love the banter side of the game but the light playful poking fun at rival teams. Like the other day some fan here made fun of all the top eight teams that didn't make the world cup quarter finals we coached by ex everton managers and said something playful about Everton. That was hilarious and I love that side of the game. ED25 laughed it off like a gentleman as always.
But obviously some people think being passionate is being a violent thug. Many people are probably insecure and probably tag along in a group mentality but that's no excuse either. You have to have many screws lose to wish someone harm for supporting a different team.
{Ed025's Note - absolutely Davey..