25/02/2026
Nobody teaches you how to stand on a touchline.
There’s no handbook for it, no course that prepares you for what it feels like to watch your child play or not play.
Mark:
“Which number’s your son?”
Sarah:
“The one on the bench, the one who never really gets a game, only when we’re up by a huge score.”
Mark:
“Ah. Well… it’s competitive, isn’t it? Best players play, that’s sport and life for you.”
Sarah:
“He trains every week, never misses and we only live five minutes away. All his friends are here, he doesn’t want to leave.”
Mark:
“If he’s good enough, he’ll force his way in.”
Sarah:
“He’s nine?”
(A goal goes in. Cheers from the touchline.)
Mark:
“That’s what I’m talking about! Movement and desire boys! That’s how we WIN games.”
Sarah:
“He laid his kit out last night, couldn’t sleep. He adores this team, being with his friends but just wants a chance?!”
Mark:
“You can’t give everyone equal minutes. That’s not real football and we need to look after our best players before they leave. This league title is in our grasp, it’s ours to lose..”
Sarah:
“At this age, what is real football? A league table?
A trophy in February?”
Mark:
“It teaches them standards, how to win, what’s sport if we don’t win? If you can’t handle it you need to find a new team.”
Sarah:
“So does taking part, making mistakes on the pitch instead of watching them from a bench and actually learning, don’t you think?”
Mark:
“Football’s tough, you need to find a B Team or find another sport maybe?”
Sarah:
“Life’s tough enough, this was meant to be the safe place.”
(Pause. Her son claps loudly as his team score again without him)
Sarah:
“Look at him, still cheering like he’s played every minute.”
Mark:
“Maybe he just needs to be patient and grab his chance when it comes.”
Sarah:
“Maybe the adults need to be more patient and he’s only played 10 minutes this season, as he’s usually not picked to attend games.”
(Final whistle. Players run off celebrating.)
Sarah:
When they’re sixteen, do you think they’ll remember today’s score? Or how they felt not being selected or just remember being sat on the bench?
