'Silent Weekend' a success for Lancs FA
The glorious sound of children’s voices, uninterrupted by overly competitive adults, graced the parks and football fields of Lancashire on Saturday 8th March and Sunday 9th March as coaches, parents and spectators were hushed at junior football games across the county.
The local FA event, dubbed the ‘Silent Weekend’, was designed to allow the young starlets of the region to get on with the game without the distraction of noise and abuse coming from the touchline.
An idea that was born in Lancashire captured the nation’s attention, with the FA set to review the initiative for their Respect campaign and professional players such as Preston North End winger Paul Gallagher, offering his support.
"As a kid, you just want to enjoy it. My dad just let me play football – he just came and watched and didn't do any of the shouting,” said Gallagher.
“I've been in teams where we've had a player's dad who ran up and down the touchline with him saying 'drive with the ball' and stuff like that.
“Let the boys enjoy the game, whatever the level, they don't want to be coming off thinking my dad's told me off for doing that."
The former Leicester City player believes it is of utmost importance to put the children first and the organisers should keep that in mind.
"There are passionate people around in football, even in any league. You have your different characters but I would prefer to keep quiet and let my boy get on with it.
"Kids are kids. When I was a kid it went in one ear and out of the other so it didn't really matter to me.
“I like to see kids go out there, play with a smile on their face and come off with a smile on their face knowing that they've enjoyed themselves no matter what the result was."
The Lancashire FA used the weekend as a test in the hope that the clubs who got themselves involved will have seen positive results from the campaign.
The local FA event, dubbed the ‘Silent Weekend’, was designed to allow the young starlets of the region to get on with the game without the distraction of noise and abuse coming from the touchline.
An idea that was born in Lancashire captured the nation’s attention, with the FA set to review the initiative for their Respect campaign and professional players such as Preston North End winger Paul Gallagher, offering his support.
"As a kid, you just want to enjoy it. My dad just let me play football – he just came and watched and didn't do any of the shouting,” said Gallagher.
“I've been in teams where we've had a player's dad who ran up and down the touchline with him saying 'drive with the ball' and stuff like that.
“Let the boys enjoy the game, whatever the level, they don't want to be coming off thinking my dad's told me off for doing that."
The former Leicester City player believes it is of utmost importance to put the children first and the organisers should keep that in mind.
"There are passionate people around in football, even in any league. You have your different characters but I would prefer to keep quiet and let my boy get on with it.
"Kids are kids. When I was a kid it went in one ear and out of the other so it didn't really matter to me.
“I like to see kids go out there, play with a smile on their face and come off with a smile on their face knowing that they've enjoyed themselves no matter what the result was."
The Lancashire FA used the weekend as a test in the hope that the clubs who got themselves involved will have seen positive results from the campaign.