Hoddesdon Town Youth FC Head of Football Development Alfi Myers celebrates the release of a brand-new two-book series dedicated to the lessons, friendships and memories that make grassroots football special.

Hoddesdon Town Football Club are delighted to celebrate the publication of a brand-new book from our very own Head of Football Development at out Youth section, Alfi Myers, with 'The Love of the Game: What Grassroots Football Really Gives Us' now officially available to buy through Amazon.

The Love of the Game: What Grassroots Football Really Gives Us

Released in August, the book draws upon Alfi’s decades of experience within grassroots football and explores everything the game can give a young person away from goals, results, league tables and trophies. It is a subject incredibly close to Alfi’s heart and one which will be familiar to countless players, coaches, volunteers and parents who spend their weekends standing beside pitches across the country. Rather than concentrating simply on becoming the most talented player on the pitch, The Love of the Game looks at the qualities football can help develop for life. Friendship, resilience, confidence, determination, courage and learning how to deal with both success and disappointment are all central themes, with Alfi writing directly for young footballers in a warm and encouraging style.

Author Alfi Myers

“It’s a motivational book about grassroots football and what it gives us beyond the score,” explained Alfi. “I wanted it to come across almost like a coach talking to a player and giving them a bit of advice. Football gives young people so much, but sometimes when we become caught up in results and performance it is easy to forget about all those other things.”

The book carries the message that natural ability can only take a player so far and that attitude, effort and a willingness to learn can be equally important. Whether it is chasing a winner in the closing seconds, responding positively after a defeat, making a mistake and going again or simply turning up to training determined to improve, those everyday football experiences can gradually shape a youngster’s confidence and character. That philosophy will certainly resonate at Hoddesdon Town Youth Football Club, where player development has always been at it's core. Grassroots clubs can become an enormous part of a child’s life, creating friendships and memories while teaching youngsters how to work with others, take responsibility, overcome setbacks and enjoy being part of something together.

“Of course every young player wants to win and wants to play well, and there is nothing wrong with that,” Alfi continued. “But years later, you probably won’t remember every result. You’ll remember the teammates, the coaches, the laughs in training, the journeys to matches and those moments when you achieved something together. That is really where the idea for the book came from.”

Published under the author name A. Myers, the paperback runs to 52 pages and is aimed particularly at youngsters aged between 10 and 17, although its message extends considerably further. Parents who have spent years following their children from touchline to touchline, volunteers who give up their time to keep clubs running and coaches who have watched generations of youngsters develop will recognise much of what Alfi writes about. And Alfi has not stopped with just one release. A second title in The Love of the Game series, What Being a Goalkeeper Really Gives Us, is also available now and turns the spotlight specifically towards one of football’s most demanding and unique positions. The second book focuses on the courage, strength, responsibility and quiet pride that come with wearing the gloves. Its message — “Courage behind the goal. Character for life.” — takes the same philosophy as the original book and applies it to the particular challenges faced by young goalkeepers.

The Second Book In The Series

Alfi said: “Goalkeepers experience football in a completely different way sometimes. You can make ten great saves and then make one mistake which everyone notices, so there are huge lessons in resilience and courage that come with the position. I wanted young keepers to understand that those experiences are helping them grow, not only as players but as people.”

Both books make ideal presents for young footballers and could equally be given by a coach at the end of a season, by parents and grandparents looking to encourage a youngster, or simply picked up by anybody who understands what grassroots football can mean to those involved in it. The intention is never to preach, but to offer encouragement and remind young players why they first fell in love with kicking a ball around.

For Hoddesdon Town, it is also a fantastic opportunity to support somebody who plays such an important role within our own youth setup. The knowledge within the books has not been gathered from watching grassroots football from afar; it has come from years spent coaching, developing players, dealing with the highs and lows of the game and seeing first-hand the positive influence a football club can have on a youngster.

The Love of the Game: What Grassroots Football Really Gives Us and The Love of the Game: What Being a Goalkeeper Really Gives Us are available now in paperback on Amazon.co.uk, priced at £7.99 each. Supporters can find them by searching Amazon for the full titles or for A. Myers, where both books are listed together as part of The Love of the Game series, or simply click HERE.

Both Books Are Available To Buy On Amazon

Everyone at Hoddesdon Town Football Club and Hoddesdon Town Youth Football Club would like to congratulate Alfi on becoming a published author and wish him every success with both books. We are immensely proud to see one of our own putting into words something that everyone involved in grassroots football understands: whatever the score at full-time, some of the greatest things this game gives us stay with us for the rest of our lives.

GET YOURS HERE!