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'The official guides to success on and off the pitch.'

This Official Football Association series provides invaluable and essential advice and information about key football skills for anyone involved in football, of any age and level. The books are especially aimed at those involved in grassroots football, who may not have the back up and help that they might need to realise the full potential of their involvement in the game. Each book in this series is packed with practical exercises and features, information and expert advice, which will improve your understanding and enhance your ability and enjoyment of the world's greatest game. A straightforward, lively and practical guide, this book gives advice on choosing a club and being involved in it, plus chapters on sharing the football interest with your child and being a 'garden coach'.

Detailing the childs's expectations of their 'football parents' and vice versa and dealing with the important issue of maintaining teenage interest, it offers a spectrum of expert advice, essential to any parent or adult interested in football.

'Be a part of the game.'

• Introduction
• Sharing an interest
• The 'garden coach'
• Choosing a club
• Being involved in the club
• Supporting your child
• What children can expect from football parents
• What football parents can expect from children
• Maintaining the teenage interest
• Using the experience of the football parent
• Conclusion

Les Howie has worked at The Football Association for over five years and is responsible for the development of all clubs in the national game (non-professional game). His remit covers over 40,000 teams and his core roles and responsibilities are designing programmes and development strategies to raise the standards for all clubs below the Football League. Les has played a key role in the development of The FA's Charter Standard Clubs scheme, Soccer Parent course (available free online) and Level 1 Club Coach, the open entry coaching course which had more than 20,000 participants last year.