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I recently presented this as a topic at a Football Coaching Seminar in Porto, Portugal. This is first part of the seminar

Who is the best creative player? A number of England players, such as Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick talk about how football is changing and players are becoming quicker and more creative. A leading England football coach explains that as the game has changed, players need to be able to be able to retain possession, be able to pass quickly and effectively over a range of distances, but particularly over short distances. As a result, football coaches need to understand how to encourage young players to think creatively. The FA Youth Award coaching course trains coaches to do this.

The following information on Mini Football has been culled from a variety of sources. It is not designed to be the "Final Word" but a discussion document.

Manchester City v Sheffield United. Division one. Maine Road. January 1991

1988. Vinnie is arguably the biggest bully in a Wimbledon team of thugs and bullies. Wimbledon were not known as the crazy gang for nothing. They play at Plough Lane. Never was a stadium more aptly named. It was small, old-fashioned, intimidating and generally very muddy. This was the arena that served the crazy gang. In 1988 Wimbledon were the smallest and least supported team in Division I. But, whilst they may have been new to the top division and had the worst stadium, they were never going to be intimidated and had a reputation of togetherness, intimidation and on field violence. They also had a very physical and successful style of play and some very effective, underrated players. In fact, in 1988 Wimbledon went on to beat Liverpool one nil in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Sheffield United V West Bromwich Albion.  Division One. Bramall Lane. March 2002.

Managers and players abusing referees is nothing new. With television and media profiling every incident and word said, it brings to the public's attention all that is perceived to be bad about the game of football.

 Grassrootscoaching.com launch 50 FA level 1 coaching videos