The Cost of Modern Grass Roots Football

We’re hearing a lot in the UK specifically about getting kids into sport, helping to get them away from their games consoles and from trouble and encouraging them to pick up a cricket bat, football or tennis racket.

The problem is, modern sports equipment can be quite expensive. Okay, you can get by without the top of the range boots worn by Ronaldo, Messi and co, but it’s about far more than just the footwear especially in a footballing sense. With all the equipment you need just to play, you can be pushing your budget and that’s before you even start thinking about your training gear!

There is so much football equipment on the market these days aimed at making the modern grass roots player feel like or as good as the modern stars, that it can get confusing as to what you actually need, while others are attracted to kit just because their friends or heroes have that particular brand. When you’re looking to keep costs down, however, you need to work out exactly what is “essential.” This guide should help…

Match Day Equipment. On match day, you just want to be turning up with your essentials and getting out onto the pitch. You don’t want to have to worry about whether you’ve got this or that, but, unfortunately, some things are essential.

In your match day kitbag, you need your boots, spare studs or blades, shin pads, sock ties and toiletries. Then you have to consider the things you have to but yourself. Not every club can afford to provide full kits each week. Some require you to bring your own generic black shorts or socks for instance, others will require you to bring your own kit to warm up in or to wear while on the bench. Others will offer club training kit but you’ll have to pay for that, but wearing your club tracksuit to games might be compulsory.

This kit is all great, but the price soon adds up.

Training Kit. This really doesn’t have to be expensive. While many clubs will encourage their players to buy their own tracksuits and training shirts with initials or names on, others aren’t too fussy what you train in. This means that you just turn up with your boots and shin pads and the same tracksuit bottoms, shorts, socks or club shirt that you’ve got in your wardrobe already and it doesn’t cost anything.

On top of your kit expenses, you might also have annual subscriptions or match fees. A lot of clubs are forced to pay registration fees for their players, making them eligible to play in the league – another expense before you even get on the pitch. Then you have the money to play each week or to fund the floodlights or facilities your club has rented for the training sessions.