Code of Conduct - Parents

Parents play a vital role in a child’s football journey and often have the greatest influence on their enjoyment and long-term development in the game. While coaches and team managers focus on improving a player’s technical ability and understanding of football, it is the support from parents that shapes a child’s attitude, confidence, ambition, and love for the sport.


At Linthwaite Football Club, we recognise that all parents want the very best for their child and naturally take pride in supporting them. Your encouragement from the sidelines can make a huge difference, helping to build confidence and create positive experiences that children will carry with them both on and off the pitch.


However, football can be emotional, and there are moments when enthusiasm can unintentionally become overwhelming. We have all seen occasions where instructions are shouted from the touchline or where the pressure to perform becomes too great. While this is often meant as encouragement, it can sometimes have the opposite effect—placing unnecessary pressure on children and affecting not only their enjoyment, but also that of their teammates.


We encourage all parents and spectators to help create a positive, supportive, and respectful environment, where players are free to learn, make mistakes, and express themselves without fear of criticism. By allowing coaches to guide the team and by focusing on encouragement rather than instruction, parents can help foster a more enjoyable and productive experience for everyone involved.


Our aim is to work together with families to ensure that every child feels supported, valued, and motivated, helping them develop not just as footballers, but as confident and respectful individuals.

At Linthwaite Football Club, we recognise the vital role parents and spectators play in shaping a child’s football experience. Your support, encouragement, and attitude from the sidelines can have a lasting impact on a young player’s enjoyment, confidence, and overall development.


It is natural to want to help your child improve, and many parents do this with the very best intentions. However, there is an important difference between encouragement and instruction. Positive support—such as praising effort, teamwork, and enthusiasm—can build confidence and enjoyment. In contrast, repeatedly telling a child what they should have done or highlighting mistakes during a game can create pressure and reduce their confidence.

We encourage all parents to take a moment to reflect when watching a match: are your comments supportive, or are they instructional? Even with good intentions, too much direction from the sidelines can overwhelm young players, affect their performance, and in some cases reduce their enjoyment of the game. Sadly, some talented young players leave football not due to lack of ability, but because of unnecessary pressure.


Children play football because they love the game and want to have fun. As they grow and develop—both physically and emotionally—it is essential that parents provide a supportive environment where they can learn, make mistakes, and enjoy their experience without fear of criticism.


The Positive Impact of Parental Support

Positive encouragement from parents contributes to:

  • Greater enjoyment of football
  • A strong sense of personal achievement
  • Improved confidence and self-esteem
  • Ongoing development of skills and techniques


Equally, a parent’s behaviour has a strong influence on a child’s attitude towards:

  • Teammates and opponents
  • Coaches and managers
  • Match officials
  • Other parents and spectators


Parent Code of Conduct

To ensure the best possible environment for all players, we ask parents and spectators to follow these key principles:

  1. Always show good sportsmanship and uphold the spirit of the game
  2. Remember that children play primarily for their own enjoyment, not to meet adult expectations
  3. Place the well-being and safety of all players above everything else
  4. Encourage and praise effort, performance, and attitude—not just results
  5. Support children in taking responsibility for their own actions and development
  6. Watch respectfully from designated areas and stay behind pitch boundaries
  7. Never use offensive, abusive, or inappropriate language
  8. Build a positive and respectful relationship with coaches, based on trust and cooperation
  9. Seek clarity on expectations and communicate openly with coaches when needed
  10. Discuss any concerns privately and constructively, away from players and matches
  11. Always respect referees’ decisions and avoid questioning or challenging officials
  12. Ensure your child arrives on time and prepared for training and matches
  13. Inform coaches of any medical conditions or changes
  14. Make sure your child wears appropriate and safe kit
  15. Help maintain club facilities and equipment in good condition
  16. Complete all required forms accurately and promptly
  17. Ensure subscriptions and fees are paid on time
  18. Support coaching decisions and raise any concerns directly and respectfully


Working Together

Parents, coaches, and players all play a part in creating a positive football environment. By working together and focusing on encouragement rather than pressure, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy the game, develop their skills, and build lasting confidence.


Failure to follow the Club’s Code of Conduct may result in action being taken by Linthwaite Football Club or the relevant County FA, as we are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment for everyone involved.