Sounds Corny but it's as clear as that really. I guess the next part should be what professional footballer is this? But I never was a pro and it wasn't after a lot of soul searching I realised why and I guess that's where 'flow in football' starts.
I've always had a vision to inspire even from a young age! From that first touch until around 12 years of age I was convinced I would not stop kicking a football around for the rest of my life. My education was street football. I read a lot on Jon Cartwright and his book (football for the brave) and although I agree with 99% of things he says I disagree with one thing. He says street football died in the 1950's for me it died in the late nineties.
Where I grew up Grahame park estate north west London it was everyday! Small games, skills constantly I learned new things everyday without even knowing it. Everything was an experiment a learning curve and although none of the boys were poor they were hungry and focused! recreating skills and making them our own. I'm convinced it was the best environment I could of grown up in.
I was shy so my way of expressing myself was with that football no matter what size it was. It just seemed to come naturally. It was my ice breaker or way in if you like.
I had a head start or I guess a piece of luck the boys I grew up with on my estate were at least 2 or 3 years older than me sometimes 5 years so my focus on technique to get an advantage was crucial. Also the local team I joined didn't have my age group so I played up a year and again looking back I had to do things quicker and with more quality. When I went down to my own age group I was technically ahead of others so
found the game easier and tried things constantly not to the amusement of many of my coaches who would often be spitting feathers at my elaborate bits of skill for me it was never to humiliate it was just me expressing myself and what I said earlier about coming to terms with not being a pro this was phase one of that! I began tailoring my game just to make coaches happy, a sideways pass rather than a step over or a backwards pass rather than an around the corner pass I wasn't playing off instinct anymore I was playing with fear and longed to play with coaches who would just let me play my game.
Phase two now well into my teens I was still loving the game but after being released by Fulham by now assistant
manager at real Madrid Paul clement and west ham and by what seemed every other club in London I was disillusioned. in fairness I didn't deserve to be kept on even though I firmly believe in ability terms I was head and shoulders above others but what I lacked was mental courage that mental capacity that professionals have in any industry the straight out trusting in their own ability I was a nervous wreck and playing well within myself. I was scared of upsetting people often in training I would get parents clapping or as I walked off people would say it was a pleasure to watch you so I knew it was there but I didn't want to be under pressure in games so just played simple. So I guess phase 2 was not having the capacity or toughness and then the British game taking out my creative nature and making me I guess the same as every other player
By phase 3 I went abroad in my late teens in France and Norway but it wasn't as different as I expected although the short stint in France shaped my ethos with respect for people in the game and each other. I flirted with playing college soccer and infact in my early twenties almost earned myself contracts abroad and found my footballing identity again I was a flair player again back to the street days coaches would realise now I was best as a free spirit. This was to late I was slow and although my quickness of head was by far and away ahead i was behind athletically and although I believe firmly it's better to be quicker in the head than physically It was to late the game had evolved to much and I knew then I wanted to inspire through coaching or doing something kids could relate to.
Flow in football was born in early 2013. I thought long and hard about the message and although the concept is 'smallerballsmallerspaces' there is a deeper message it's one that says let kids express. I often say our culture holds us back in a footballing capacity! If a kid is tricky or skilful often we like to put that kid in a box and say do it 90% simple 10% creative I've actually heard that from a 'uefa b' coach for me it should be the complete opposite!
If you look at a group of Spanish or Brazilian kids playing 'street' football and then British there is no difference I've seen all 3 in fact in many cases the British kids are more skilful transfer that into a game situation it's like we are robots? Why? For me it's simple our kids are not allowed to express Their freedom is completely eaten up by fear of failure and that constant winning mentality as well as the evaporation of street football and the new age of organised structured drills'
I heard Glenn hoddle say the other day for first ten minutes teams should be turning the opposite kicking it into there half and putting them under pressure! I couldn't believe my ears this is technically England's greatest ever player encouraging us to kick it into areas and lose possession?
I guess my Frustration leads to being held back myself and seeing others skill taken away
.
The YouTube videos have given me so much pride and I'm excited for the future I'd love to take the message and of course more of the videos around the world and truly inspire the foundations of street football.
If I can or have inspired one person along the way then I have realised my life ambition and that is way better than being a professional footballer!
THE SKILL SET OF THE BOYS COACHED BY JOE SETS THEM APART FROM OTHERS. IT'S NO SURPRISE SO MANY OF THEM GET SIGNED BY ACADEMY OUTFITS."
IFJ SPORTS AGENCY
29