Pitch Side Journal

This is grassroots football in its rawest form. Honest, unfiltered, and still moving.

Here, players share their journeys through youth teams, academies, and open-age men’s football. From early setbacks to small wins, from Sunday league battles to stepping into men’s football for the first time, these are experiences shaped by dedication, resilience, and love for the game.

Led by Ehsan Amri and supported by contributing writers around the world, Pitch Side Journal captures what it truly means to play football beyond the spotlight — where most of the game actually lives.

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Written by Coach Lee

Released, Rebuilt, Returned

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Written by Ehsan Amri

My First Taste of Men's Football

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Written by Ehsan Amri

My First Steps Into Semi-Professional Football

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Written by Ehsan Amri

What Really Happens to Grassroots Footballers After Sixteen

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Written by Ehsan Amri

England Are Going to the 2026 World Cup — and Why Grassroots Deserve a Bit of the Credit

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Breaking Through the Barriers: Women's Football at Grassroots Level

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Finding Your Level: The Beauty of English Grassroots Football

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Written by Ehsan Amri

The Vanishing Drive: Understanding the Grassroots Drop-off

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Written by Ehsan Amri

The Silent Battle: How Pressure and Confidence Shape a Footballer

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Written by Ehsan Amri

The Divide in Manchester's Grassroots Football: Timperley vs. East Manchester

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Part 2 - The Journey of Manchester's Grassroots Giant: Jamie Windeler and Fletcher Moss Rangers

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Part 1 - The Journey of Manchester's Grassroots Giant: Jamie Windeler and Fletcher Moss Rangers

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Breaking Through: The High Stakes of Youth Football

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Grassroots Football: Trials, Tribulations, and Injuries in the New Season

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Written by Ehsan Amri

The Silent Setback: Growing Pains in Grassroots Football

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Written by Ehsan Amri

Grassroots Transfer Drama: The Unseen Battles in Manchester Youth Football