Its been a long time coming for my husband but last weekend Joshua (age 4) finally took his first steps in what my husband is hoping will be a professional footballing career.
Several of his class friends already attend the 1 1/2 Saturday morning football training session so he was rather keen to go!
He popped his kit on nice and early and I am not sure who was more excited with Ollie egging Joshua on to get his kit on.
We arrived a few minute early and after popping on his brand new football boots and meeting his coach he headed off to the group of boys already having a mini kick about before the training session started.
It was at this point both Ollie and I could have broken down, Joshua ran up to the other boys and just started running with them, he never actually touched the ball but he had a smile on his face and chased round the pitch with the others without a backwards glance.
Once the training session started I worried that it would be too much as Joshua I think is the youngest there, however for the duration of the one and a half hours he ran his little socks off, he smiled, laughed and gave each exercise 100% so much so he developed blisters from his new boots and shin pads and never uttered a word till he came off the pitch!
It maybe a long way off for Joshua to be playing in a professional team but for me seeing Joshua in the fresh air, building friendships and skills all with a smile on his face is certainly all that matters for me regardless of where it may or may not take him!
Well done Joshua and here’s to my new life as a pitch side parent.
Bless him, I can still remember when my brother started playing football. Sadly I seem to have a child with no interest in sports at all – definitely takes after his fathers side of the family.
lol there is time Mary for him to hate it … today it was freezing and throwing it down the entire duration .. needless to say he was not as happy lol
Vaseline and double socks (or 3 very thin socks) are great for preventing blisters in football boots, also if you double sock you can put one pair under the shinpads to help there too 🙂 and stuffing the boots with newspaper after use helps the material to stretch and ‘relax’ slightly.
My brother was a rugby player as was my dad so I learnt some other rather random tricks from them but vaseline & socks are the best place to start.
he looks very proud and very smart I dont miss the days of standing in the rain/hail/snow on the side lines though!
lol Fern i totally was stood in the rain and wind yesterday thinking what am i doing here lol .. will try the vaseline 🙂
Welcome to my world! I have had years of pitch side matches, worth every minute! Go Josuha!
lol i need tips, this week was super cold, wet and windy .. i nearly caved and went home lol .. but it didnt lol
My youngest has just started football too, he’s 6. He never showed any interest until this year but he is loving it too. I totally agree with you that it is great to see them exercising, happy and forming friendships with others. I love watching my little man every week. it fills me with pride. Well done to Joshua on being so confident! #magicmoments
awww thanks Catie, its so lovely to see isn’t it! good luck to your little footballer 🙂 and here is hoping its not too wet pitch side lol
Aww bless. My boys love it. So lovely seeing them do something they enjoy x
Wow, he shows incredible stamina, enthusiasm and positivity for one so young – maybe a pro in the making 😉 ! Fingers crossed!