Grassroots football deserves its own history
Behind every county academy is a story. Someone gave up their Saturday mornings, borrowed a set of cones, and turned up to a cold pitch with a handful of kids and a big idea.
Those stories rarely get written down. The Touchline Stories exists to change that.
We speak with the founders, coaches and chairmen of local academies, ask how it all began, and publish their stories in one place. Every story is written with the academy and approved by them before it goes live.
It’s a community project, made out of respect for the people who keep local football alive.
Meet the academies
The first stories are on their way and will launch in December 2026.
Why we’re doing this
- Because local football runs on volunteers, and volunteers rarely get thanked.
- Because a club’s story is worth sharing with the players, parents and community who are part of it today.
- Because the next person thinking of starting an academy should be able to read how others did it, and know they’re not alone.
- And because the best way to support grassroots football is to listen to the people who build it.
Three simple steps
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Have a short chat
We’ll send a handful of questions or arrange a five-minute call. Answer in your own words.
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We write your story
We turn your answers into a short, honest page about your academy, with your crest and photos if you’d like.
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You approve and share
Nothing goes live until you’re happy with it. Then it’s yours to share with your players, parents and supporters.
Launching soon
We’re speaking with our first academies now, and the archive opens in December 2026.