Football groups for fathers – what a fantastic idea.
When I was a younger man I loved a game of football. I played less as I got older of course, with work becoming a higher priority and nights out with the future mother of our children filling the free time I used to spend playing five a side.
Then the kids came along and before I knew it I hadn’t kicked a ball competitively for a decade. Sad times.
I sit here now, old and inactive, with dodgy knees, a lower back problem, and some sort of shoulder strain that refuses to heal. I go to the gym when I can, but it’s not exactly fun.
I miss football. It’s not just the fitness aspect, it has more to do with being in a group of lads all working together towards winning a game. The chat, the jokes, the merciless mockery when someone tries a step over that turns into a trip over.
So when I found out about about Dads v Dads Football, my hairy old ears pricked up and I lent forward so fast I put my back out.
Alright, I’m being a bit dramatic about my age and the state of my physical well being, but I was certainly interested to find out more.
What is It?
It’s just a football group for Dads, but they have made it as hassle free and accessible as possible.
In the areas where Dads v Dads is set up, they arrange the pitch hire and sort out the teams based on who has booked on each week. So all you have to do is book a place and show up.
Usually they have enough people for between 6 and 9 a-side, and it tends to cost between £5 and £8 per player per week. There is no commitment though, so you only pay if you go, and if you can’t make it you don’t lose your place or anything like that.
The organisation is run by Dads, so they understand what life is like when you have a job and a family. They also understand how difficult it can be to remain active as a Dad if your job is office based, for example.
Dads v Dads’ mission is to help people stay fit, stay committed, and stay physically and mentally healthy for longer. If the idea grows big enough, it can also have a positive impact on the NHS by making the middle aged male population a healthier bunch requiring less medical treatment as they get older.
Another hope is that regular attendees will end up becoming friends, creating a support network for each other.
So the whole thing has a number of aims and benefits with football at its heart, but it has been structured to allow the players total freedom as to if and when they show up. It takes all the pressure and responsibility away, so when you can make it to a game you can focus on enjoying yourself.
They have a Fantasy League table that runs between all the different groups too. Each player earns points for games played, games won, new players introduced to the group, etc. They use this point system to create a dream team top 11 or to rank local leagues. There are trophies and stuff so it’s quite fun and adds another level of competition.
Why is it Just for Dads?
It isn’t really, anyone can go if they have the right mentality, but it’s aimed at dads and the majority of people who attend are fathers.
I’ve already touched on some of the reasons why, but the main two reasons would be:
- Commitment
- Type of player
Kids get sick, work gets busy, the spare room needs painting, the wife has to go look after her Mum and you end up solo parenting for the week. There are a million and one things that can come up to disrupt your routine when you have a family, and this makes committing to anything extra-curricular nigh on impossible.
Dads v Dads is designed to be commitment free precisely for this reason. Dads aren’t unreliable, but they have to put their families first, and that doesn’t always work with regular football teams or groups.
Then there are the types of players you get at traditional five a side teams or Sunday league teams.
No father needs to be playing against some 22 year roofer with a PureGym membership and a point to prove.
Anyone playing via Dads v Dads knows the game is not about aggression or being the hardest man on the pitch. Everyone is there for a bit of a fun and a bit of exercise, no one wants to go home with a broken ankle or a black eye.
Other Dads tend to understand this, because they are in exactly the same boat. A self employed landscape gardener and father of two can hardly afford to get injured playing footy with the lads. The games are still competitive, but silly challenges and Alpha behaviour are not welcome.
They don’t even use referees. Players are encouraged to officiate themselves, play fair, and play safe.
At the end of the day this is supposed to be fun, so arguments, moaning, aggression or complaining are unwanted.
Locations
Sadly for me, there isn’t a location close enough to join. This blog gets visits from all over the country though, so I wanted to spread the word because there may well be a location local to you.
I get the impression that they would welcome enquiries about starting groups in new areas too, so if there isn’t one near you and you would like them to help you set one up give them a shout.
Some of the locations they currently run groups include:
- Bristol
- Sheffield
- Shrewsbury
- Bolton
- Caldicot
- Hull
- Bedford
- Bideford
- Langport
- Bracknell
- Chippenham
- Colchester
- Harrogate
- Newport
- Northampton
- Oxford
- Swindon
- Telford
- Walsall
- Sudbury
- Burton
- Lichfield
There are more than this but it gives you an idea of how widespread the organisation is, so do search for your area.
Dads v Dads isn’t the only group of its kind either. There are others out there so if the idea appeals it’s worth doing 5 minutes of Googling to see what exists where you live if Dads v Dads isn’t available. For example, Match of the Dads is a smaller Norfolk based football group for fathers; Football For Fathers run games around the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Suffolk and Middlesex.
So there are no excuses anymore.
If you have been saying you would love to get back into football but it’s just too difficult with work and the kids, here’s the solution. There is bound to be a location near you, whether that be one run by Dads v Dads or another similar organisation, so dig your old kit out from the back of the wardrobe and get in touch.
