to feel like stopping ds from going to football?

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Not because he is badly behaved or anything, he's not.

It's a small rural village team made up of boys from the two local schools.

They train one night a week & play in a Friday night (friendly) league.

ds is in p5 & can play up to p7.

The past few weeks ds has been going to the Friday night games & sitting on the subs bench freezing his nuts off.

The teams are picked through the week & ds is always picked. Other children have never been chosen.

I don't understand why a) they choose him at all if he's only going on subs bench?? And b) why they can't give them all a kick about?

This isn't league stuff, its cross community, friendly & a night out. But ds came home tonight down trodden as yet again he was on subs bench. He said if they give him a kit this week he's not going to take it as he only ends up on the subs bench, which I think is the wrong attitude but can see what he means.

I won't stop him going, but AIBU to feel like it..???

Any chance of playing for a different team or perhaps looking at him trying another sport instead?

it seems very unfair. A child shouldn't be kept hanging around in the cold like that. The whole point of getting children to play sports is to get them some exercise and fun, and he isn't having either. Can you talk to the people in charge about it?

if they are obstinate, could you find him something else to do that he might enjoy? My two younger sons both went to Cubs, which they enjoyed, they do fun activities and always make sure all children are included.

Well at least he's picked to freeze his nuts off, those not picked would be happy to switch.

Is there anything you can do to support his training?

I get that you say that they are "friendlies" but really there is no such thing. All games are played to be won.

I disagree that there are no friendlies. My dh ran a kids team from when my son was 6 to 16 and the idea of non league matches is exactly to try out different players and to try and make the team which is best for league. Even Man utd play friendlies and try out new players.

I wouldn't say UABU to feel like it- and wouldn't really think it will do any good to say anything either maybe say hes getting a bit fed up any chance he could have a run out( in general jokey terms!!)
The only thing you can do is be guided by your son.

V competitive imo, so the best are always chosen to play.

He could continue going to training but opt out of the game. They need to keep up the training and fitness or they won't stand much chance in later terms/ years.

So many kids drop out at a young age then turn into big strapping teens who would have made great players. But only the chosen few have had the opportunity to develop their skills.

I took my DS to rugby instead.

Thanks, dh used to train them but due to work commitments he's had to take a step back this year.

These games are definitely friendly games, its like a football blitz where there's about 10 teams take part & they play against each other.

Dh says last yr every child got to play, even just for 5 minutes to sort of 'thank' them for giving up their time.

I think what annoyed me last night was that ds had been asked bowling by a non-school friend & turned it down so he wouldn't let the team down.

We also send money each week to pay for the bus - yet last night ds was taken & brought home by a team mates mum - its silly I know but I asked him what he done with the money, he said the woman who is chairperson picked it up from him. So he's paying for a seat on the bus yet didn't go/return on it.

I just feel a bit annoyed towards the club now & little things are bugging me.

you're right - maybe its time to change his sport!!