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The FA has marked the start of the grassroots season with a new animated short film which highlights the unsung heroes who keep the game alive away from the limelight.
Rather than focusing on elite football, the film follows four familiar figures from grassroots football: The organizer (Sandra), The ringtone (Notch), The parent coach (Rashida), and The gardener (Greg) – showing them trading their everyday lives for the chaos and charm of a match day.
From carefully manicured pitches to nervous last-minute penalties, it captures the humor, stress and joy that only grassroots football can provide.
The film also leaves room for a few surprise cameos. Lionesses and Newcastle midfielder Jordan Nobbs appears to show off his skills to a group of wide-eyed youngsters, while Hashtag United star and football creator PK Humble performs his iconic dance celebration after scoring a goal.
Things end with the four core characters lining up on their own field, accompanied by a heartfelt message thanking the volunteers, parents and players who keep local football alive.
Jordan Nobbs said: “Being part of this film reminds me of my own journey: starting out in grassroots clubs where I learned the fundamentals of the game. That’s what it’s all about: creating spaces where everyone, whatever their circumstances, can fall in love with football and feel part of a team.”
James Kendall, FA Director of Football Development, added: “The magic of grassroots football comes from the people who are part of it: the volunteers, the groundskeepers, the coaches and the players. This film is a testament to the tireless efforts of clubs and volunteers across the country as we mark the start of the 25/26 season.”
