The Modern Football Club

The FA is mandating 3v3 football for all Under-7s from August 2026. No goalkeepers. No referees. No league tables. And most grassroots clubs still aren't ready.In this episode I break down exactly what the change is, why the FA made it, what it means practically for your club — and give you my honest take on whether it's actually going to work.What we cover:What the FutureFit framework is and the research behind itWhat 3v3 actually looks like on a Saturday morningThe three challenges nobody's talking aboutWhat the best clubs will do differently before AugustMy honest verdict — right call, wrong execution?Whether you're a club secretary, coach, chairman, or football parent — this one's for you.🔗 Resources mentioned:FA FutureFit Digital Content Hub — https://www.englandfootball.com/futurefitFootball Foundation Goal Funding — https://footballfoundation.org.ukEngland Football Learning (3v3 Coaching Resources) — https://learn.englandfootball.com360Player (Club Management Platform) — https://en-us.360player.com📌 Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open 02:30 — What is FutureFit? 06:00 — How 3v3 works on matchday 11:00 — The challenges nobody's talking about 17:00 — What the best clubs will do differently 22:00 — My honest take 27:00 — Close & final thoughtIf you found this useful, share it with someone at your club who needs to hear it. A coach, a chairman, a parent. The more clubs that go into 2026-27 prepared, the better it is for the kids.Subscribe for weekly content on grassroots football, club management, and the business of running a football club.

The conversation highlights the challenges of using WhatsApp for communication in grassroots football and the transition to a more centralized and structured approach. It emphasizes the importance of simplifying communication and the positive impact it has on club dynamics and community. The key takeaways are the communication challenges in grassroots football and the significance of centralized communication.TakeawaysCommunication challenges in grassroots footballCentralized communication is keyChapters00:00 The Problem with WhatsApp06:13 Impact on Club Dynamics

The conversation delves into the challenges faced by grassroots football clubs, emphasizing the importance of organization and communication. It highlights the impact of communication and financial management, the transformation through organization and commitment, and the importance of getting organized for the growth and success of football clubs.TakeawaysChallenges of grassroots footballImportance of organization and communicationChapters00:00 The Challenges of Running a Football Club05:24 The Transformation Through Organization and Commitment