This is the beating heart of grassroots football across the land. Come Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, Britain is alive with cheers from wide open spaces (like the famous Hackney Marshes) as men and women battle for goals. The bonds made while playing and competing in a league can be incredibly strong - some players are friends for life after representing the same team for a number of years. Plus, you'll be as fit as a fiddle. Players remain in constant motion, running roughly five miles typically in a 90-minute game (which burns nearly 1000 calories). Local football clubs also offer a variety of social events outside of game play.
To get involved, contact the schemes and clubs in your area by checking the websites of the Irish FA , Scottish FA,
Welsh FA
and
English FA. There is also a Creating Chances
scheme in
England, and Football Fun Days in Wales.