Football for All is a nationwide non-profit organisation delivering recreational football games to local communities. Built on the pillars of accessibility, community, and wellbeing, we work to provide opportunities for everyone to play and enjoy the game. Our mission is to keep building happier and healthier communities through the power of football.
The state of the Game
In the UK, football is everywhere, yet not everyone can play. Walk past many football pitches in towns and cities and you’ll see gates. Sometimes physical, often invisible, these gates keep people out.
The cost of hiring a pitch can be one of those barriers. Fees of £90 per hour or more for a 5-a-side game are common. For many, that’s simply too much. And even if you can pay, finding a slot or people to play with is difficult. Pitches are often fully booked or reserved for certain groups. In some places, football feels like a privilege, not a right.
Other barriers exist, too. If you’re not the right age, gender, skill level or part of the closed group, you’re not allowed to play.
The joy of the game disappears when:
- Expensive fees stop people from participation
- Limited pitch access restrict when and where you can play
- Exclusivity that makes some feel unwelcome on the pitch
These barriers come with a cost. The less accessible football is, the more UK society loses out.
Health Declines
Inactivity is a growing problem. According to Sport England it costs the NHS £10.5 billion a year in health and social care. Football is an easy solution. It gets people moving, improving heart health, lowering blood pressure and keeping weight in check. Regular games mean regular exercise, without needing a gym membership or complicated routines.
Isolation Grows
Football creates friendships and connections. When people can’t play, they miss out on these social ties. Zoe Abrams from the British Red Cross says: ‘Sport and physical activity can reduce loneliness, creating links between people who may have otherwise not met.’
Communities Weaken
Helen Goulden OBE put it simply ‘If there is nowhere to go, communities go nowhere.’ (Source: Community Ownership Commission’s report) Local football brings people from all walks of life together. In every town and city, football has the power to be a social glue.
Football at its core
Football doesn’t need to be complicated. A ball, a bit of space, and people who want to play, that’s all it takes. For decades, this simplicity made it the world’s most popular game. Kids played in the streets, adults played after work. Somewhere along the way, this simplicity got lost. Costs went up, access went down and the game became overregulated.
Football works best when it’s simple and organised. Clear rules, booked pitches and balanced teams create a game anyone can enjoy. Football for All does the work behind the scenes so that when you step onto the pitch, everything feels easy. All you have to do is play.
In a world full of uncertainty, a weekly football game you can count on is a small but powerful thing. It gives people a reason to get out, stay active and enjoy their time in the fresh air. Week after week, these sessions turn strangers into teammates and teammates into friends.
The importance of game locations and time
Football for All uses astro pitches for a reason. They’re reliable, no matter the weather. The lines are clear and the goals are portable. These pitches take a lot of problems out of the way. You don’t have to worry about mud, uneven grass, puddles or cancellations. Floodlights mean games can happen after work, after school or even early in the morning. Rain or shine, the pitch is ready. That’s what football needs. Spaces that work for everyone, all the time.
Regular games create a rhythm. A set day and time each week makes football part of your life. You know when the game is and you can plan for it. This consistency builds habits and keeps people coming back. Football gives a place to belong. A break from daily stress. The result doesn’t matter. What matters is that you played, laughed and shared the pitch with others.
Football for All Strategy
In a country where football is a second language, growing participation benefits everyone. The UK government’s Get Active strategy aims to increase physical activity nationwide. By 2030, the goal is to have 2.5 million more adults and 1 million more children meeting activity guidelines.
Football for All’s strategy supports this. Organised social football keeps people active, improves physical and mental health and strengthens communities around shared passion.
But the growth is only valuable if it lasts. The focus isn’t just on expanding quickly but on working together to create a sustainable system. The Football Foundation has helped build over 1200 3G and 4G pitches since 2000 and plans to deliver another 240 PlayZones by 2025.These pitches create the infrastructure, but their real value comes from staying open to diverse groups and supporting truly inclusive football communities. The future of the game depends on keeping football accessible for everyone.
Simple Steps, Big Impact
Getting involved is easy. You can play, volunteer or support to be part of something bigger.
Play football
The games are organised and welcoming. All you need to do is sign up and show up. If you want reliable, consistent football, this is where you’ll find it.
Support the Organisation
If you care about making football accessible, you can help. Spread the word, offer resources or connect us with venues. Small actions keep the games running and growing.
Volunteer your time
Want to get more hands-on? Volunteers help with running games and making sure everyone feels welcome. Your time makes a real difference.
Football for All is built on people turning up and getting involved. However you choose to join, you’re part of something that brings football back to where it belongs. In the heart of the community.
