More than just football.
Lilly Street Lions FC exists to give children a place where they can belong, be themselves, make friends, build confidence and fall in love with football. The game matters — but the child will always matter more.
It started with
one simple belief.
Lilly Street Lions FC was founded in 2026 from a dad wanting the very best football experience for his son, Logan.
Football had always been about more than the result: the bonding, the excitement, the friendships, the memories and the feeling of belonging to something. The aim was to create an environment where a child could learn without fear of mistakes, be encouraged rather than criticised and be valued for who they are — not simply for what they can do with a football.
That idea quickly became bigger than one child. Every parent wants their child to feel welcome, safe, included and supported. So Lilly Street Lions FC was built around a simple promise: children come first, every decision, every time.
Developing players.
Developing people.
We follow a child-first approach to player development. We want children to become better footballers, but we also want football to help them become confident, resilient, respectful young people.
The child is at the heart of it.
We coach the player in front of us. Children develop at different speeds and in different ways, so our job is to support the individual rather than force every player into the same mould.
Learn football by playing football.
We use engaging practices, small-sided games and realistic football problems so children learn to scan, think, communicate, decide and solve situations for themselves.
Encouragement over fear.
Mistakes are part of learning. We praise effort, bravery, teamwork and improvement. We give children another attempt, ask questions and help them understand rather than controlling every decision from the touchline.
Football skills and life skills.
Technical ability matters, but so do confidence, communication, resilience, respect, friendships and enjoyment. Our coaching looks beyond the next match and towards the person each child is becoming.
Play. Learn. Grow. Enjoy.
These are not four words added to a badge. They are the standard we use to judge whether we are doing right by our players.
Freedom to love the game.
Children should want to come to football. We create sessions with lots of touches, movement, decisions and game time. Players are encouraged to be brave, creative and expressive rather than being afraid to try something new.
Playing also means opportunity. At this age, development is more important than status, and every child deserves meaningful involvement.
Understanding, not just instructions.
We do not want players who only move because an adult has shouted the answer. We want them to recognise pictures, understand situations and make decisions.
Sometimes a coach must give clear information. At other times the best coaching is a question, another attempt or a few seconds for the child to solve the problem. Learning is deeper when the player understands why.
Progress is bigger than performance.
A single match never defines a child. We look for improvement over time: stronger technique, better decisions, growing confidence, improved communication, resilience after a mistake and the courage to keep trying.
We celebrate effort and progress because every child has a different starting point and a different journey.
Memories before pressure.
Grassroots football should be one of the best parts of a child’s week. We want smiles, friendships, celebrations and memories that last far beyond the final whistle.
Enjoyment does not mean lowering standards. We can challenge children, expect effort and correct behaviour while still making football safe, positive and fun.
The standards behind
the badge.
Our six core values shape how players, coaches, volunteers and families represent Lilly Street Lions FC.
Love the game.
We want children to enjoy every session, feel excited to play and create positive memories with their teammates.
Respect everyone.
Teammates, opponents, coaches, parents, volunteers and match officials all deserve respect. How we behave matters as much as how we play.
We succeed together.
Players learn to communicate, support one another, share responsibility and understand that the badge on the front matters more than the name on the back.
Build people up.
We encourage, praise effort and help children respond positively when things go wrong. Confidence grows when children know the adults around them believe in them.
Keep moving forward.
We learn, improve and celebrate progress. Development includes football ability, decision-making, confidence, character and learning how to be part of a team.
Do things the right way.
We play honestly, follow the laws of the game, show sportsmanship and accept that winning never justifies poor behaviour.
More than a place
to play football.
A Lilly Street Lions player joins a club built around development, belonging, recognition and positive memories. We want every child to feel seen, supported and proud to be part of the Pride.
Coaching built around development.
FA-qualified coaches use age-appropriate, game-based sessions focused on learning, decision-making, confidence and enjoyment.
Smiles come first.
We aim to create a positive, pressure-aware environment where children enjoy football, make friends and create memories.
Every child belongs.
Children are welcomed as individuals. We work to make sure each player feels included, valued and part of one team and one Pride.
Welfare is non-negotiable.
Safeguarding, respect, fair play and positive behaviour sit at the heart of how the club is run.
Development conversations.
Mid-season and end-of-season player reviews give families a clear picture of progress, strengths and the next areas to support.
We get to know the child.
Welcome packs and player questionnaires help us understand each child, what they enjoy and how we can best support their development.
Every player gets a chance to lead.
Our rotating captaincy gives children opportunities to take responsibility, communicate and represent the team with pride.
Milestones matter.
Birthdays, achievements, effort and improvement are recognised so children know their contribution to the club matters.
We invest in the adults too.
Regular coach reviews and continued learning help our coaching team improve the experience we provide to every player.
Celebrate effort.
Celebrate development.
Our weekly awards are designed to recognise more than goals or results. They celebrate performance, teamwork, attitude, commitment and improvement.
Chosen by our families.
After each game, parents select the player they feel deserves recognition for their contribution and performance.
Chosen by the coaching team.
Recognises the player who has impressed through performance, teamwork, effort and attitude.
Training effort recognised.
Awarded to the player who demonstrates commitment, improvement and behaviour that reflects our club values.
Consistency over time.
Monthly recognition celebrates sustained effort, commitment, progress and the way a player represents the values of the Pride.
Leadership belongs to everyone.
Captaincy rotates so every player has the opportunity to lead, learn, communicate and grow in responsibility.
Proud to be a
1 Star Accredited Club.
England Football Accreditation is The FA's quality mark for grassroots clubs. It recognises clubs that meet standards designed to create safe, well-run and positive places for people to play and enjoy football.
1 Star Accredited
For a youth club, accreditation includes important standards around affiliation, safeguarding, welfare, appropriately qualified coaches, DBS checks and club governance. Our accreditation is something we must continue to maintain — not simply a badge we receive once.
England Football Accreditation ↗More teams. More opportunities.
Build new age groups and playing opportunities responsibly while protecting the standards the club was founded on.
Keep improving the people who coach.
Support coaches to gain qualifications, continue learning and deliver an even stronger player experience.
A journey children can continue.
Create clear routes through age groups and, as the club grows, wider opportunities for boys, girls and players with additional needs.
Safe, accessible football environments.
Continue working towards facilities and partnerships that support sustainable growth and a high-quality experience.
Stronger together.
Build relationships with local partners, organisations and volunteers who can help the club create more opportunities for the community.
Growth without losing our identity.
Every new team and opportunity must remain child-first, safeguarding-led and consistent with Play. Learn. Grow. Enjoy.
Coach the moment.
Don’t control it.
Young players need guidance, but they also need the space to think.
From the touchline it is easy for adults to see an answer and shout it immediately. But if we constantly make the decision for the child, we can remove their opportunity to recognise the problem, explore an option and learn from the outcome.
Our coaches aim to use calm, clear communication. We may wait until the ball is out of play, get closer rather than shout across the pitch, use one clear cue, ask what the player saw or give them another chance to solve it.
This is not about being soft or lowering standards. We demand effort, challenge behaviour, correct what matters and give detailed information. The difference is that our intervention should help the player learn — not simply make the decision for them.
A safe place to play and grow.
Every child should feel valued, respected and supported at Lilly Street Lions FC.
Our coaching environment is built around positive, respectful behaviour. We do not use humiliation, fear or constant shouting as coaching tools. We encourage independence, give children opportunities to make their own decisions and step in quickly whenever safety or welfare requires it.
Safeguarding is not a separate part of our club. It runs through every decision we make.
Better players. Stronger friendships. Greater confidence. Respect. Resilience. Children who still love football.
Of course we want to compete. We want our players to try their best and take pride in their performance. But at Under-8 level, our purpose is bigger than a scoreline. There are no league tables to define a child’s worth. Our success is measured in development, enjoyment, belonging and the progress we see over a season.
One club.
One family.
One pride.
The Under-8s are the beginning, not the end of the Lilly Street Lions story.
Our ambition is to grow responsibly, creating more opportunities for children and, over time, expanding the club into new age groups and wider community football. Growth will never come at the expense of our standards. Every future Lilly Street Lions team must carry the same child-first culture, the same values and the same commitment to safeguarding and development.
We want to build something the local community can be proud of — a club where children can start their journey, develop at their own pace and always know they belong.
Your support. Their future. Our pride.
Whether you are a parent, player, volunteer, coach, supporter or local partner, you are part of the environment we create for our children.