Why England’s biggest grassroots club STOPPED keeping score

About this episode

Colin Windrow discusses the innovative approach of MSB Woolton, England's largest grassroots football club, focusing on fostering a love for the game without the pressure of competition.

In this episode, Mike Clark and Ben sit down with Colin Windrow, the visionary club manager behind MSB Woolton—officially the largest grassroots football club in England. Colin shares the fascinating journey of scaling a local Liverpool side into an institution supporting over 2,400 players and 400 volunteers. Beyond the logistics, he reveals the club’s secret approach: an internal league designed to foster a love for the game without the crushing pressure of early competition. From practical community hacks like "boot exchanges" to managing the high expectations of parents, this conversation is essential listening for any coach, volunteer, or parent navigating the complex world of grassroots football. Discover how to build a legacy that values people over points. Football DNA is the ultimate platform for coach and player development: https://footballdna.co.uk/sessions/ Power your grassroots team with effortless payments — sign up with GoCardless today at https://gocardless.com/g/payments-sports-clubs/ and spend less time chasing fees, more time developing your players. Football Discount Kits supplies quality football kits at prices that actually work for grassroots clubs — no…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mike Clark, Ben Welch

Guest: Colin Windrow

Topics covered

• grassroots football
• youth sports
• community engagement
• coaching strategies
• parenting in sports

Keywords

• grassroots football
• youth soccer
• community club
• coaching
• parent involvement

Sponsors

GoCardless, Football Discount Kits

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MSB Woolton, Football DNA

Places: Liverpool, England

More episodes of It's Only Kids Football

• The ultimate 3v3 coaching guide from an elite academy coach · June 8, 2026 · 1h 12m
• What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain · June 1, 2026 · 1h 6m
• What every coach and parent needs to know about 3v3 · May 22, 2026 · 47 min
• Should you play equal game time in tournament football? · May 18, 2026 · 1h 15m
• Simple coaching language that actually works · May 11, 2026 · 1h 10m
• We answer your toughest kids' football questions · May 7, 2026 · 34 min