Silent Weekend

When my kids played football many moons ago I was a silent parent. I was never one of those parent who spent the game shouting at their little Jimmy to do this and do that, it’s really for the manager/coach to encourage the team remembering not to be to critical of his players.

I would give my boys a pep talk before a game, and prise them after the game win, lose or draw. I have seen parents seriously chastised their kids dragging them to the car without letting them get changed.

So I was happy to read that the Lancashire Football Association's are holding Silent Weekend initiative aims to change attitudes and behaviour in grassroots football.

Lancashire FA's 'Silent Weekend' code of conduct

•All adults to refrain from any shouting or direct communication with players. Discussion between adults only
•Applause for both teams
•Parents to refrain from "advising" coaches
•Parents and coaches to refrain from "advising" or questioning referees
•Adults, referees and players to respond to post-match survey
•Where possible an 'Adult Ambassador' to be present at every game