Caney’s Corner, Your Local Paper, Wednesday, March 19, 2025
It was only by chance that I stumbled across an initiative that took place at the weekend to promote good behaviour on touchlines across grassroots youth football.
As someone who usually has their finger on the pulse when it comes to sporting talking points, I was a little surprised that it was the first time I'd heard of the beautiful game's Silent Support Weekend.
I was even more shocked to discover that the annual campaign was launched in 2022 by the FA.
BBC Radio 5 Live had a segment on their Saturday morning show and it was interesting to learn more about something I could certainly get behind.
The 'rules' of those taking part were: 1 Spectators applause only, 2 Coaches can talk to players and 3 let the players play.
It's worth taking a step back and considering how we even got here in the first place.
For starters, as someone who started playing football at the age of seven, I saw first-hand the negative effect of parents shouting encouragement or advice to their children that went against those being shared by the coach.
It created confusion, pressure and stress that wasn't needed.
Then, there's the parents who get far too excited and decide to shout at all and sundry; something that's not needed at any level, but especially not when kids are involved.
Young players develop at different stages and the enforced silence can allow them to find their own voice - and grow in confidence - without feeling like they're being drowned out.
The constant instructions and interference from the sidelines can have a negative impact on many.
If there's less noise off the pitch, there should be more on it and that's great to help with player and personal development.
I'm not suggesting it's something that needs to be acted out every weekend but positivity and encouragement, especially at the younger ages up and down playing fields, can only be beneficial for the future.
I'm not sure who got involved locally but it was great to learn that almost 200 leagues had signed up to take part, which saw almost 65,000 teams and 900,000 players involved.
They're the best figures yet and shows that something must be working.
Abuse is clearly a huge issue at all levels, but the desire for those off the pitch to stay quiet is about so much more than that.
It would also be quite nice to hear a gentle smattering of applause for a goal rather than loads of screaming, whooping and hollering parents celebrating like little Jimmy had just scored England's World Cup winner.
James Kendall, the FA's director of football development, was quoted as saying the scheme "will provide young players with a great way to find their voice, make their own decisions and enjoy their game, without any distraction."
If the campaign made just one person change their poor behaviour, then it's definitely certainly something worth shouting about.
First of all, apologies to any Sunderland or Liverpool fans.
But Newcastle United winning Sunday's EFL Cup final was a genuine joy to witness given how much it meant to the Toon Army.
A first domestic trophy for 70 years was gained when Eddie Howe's heroes saw off Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley and sparked the type of scenes that have rarely been seen by those famous black and white shirts.
The one-club city's supporters are as fanatical as they come.
I'm sure we all know a few Newcastle fans who woke up on Monday with sore heads.
The incredible thing is almost all of them wouldn't have even known what it felt like to celebrate their team lifting a trophy because they have not been able to witness it for so long!
Throw into the mix that a giant percentage of them will have also never have seen their country's senior men's side lift anything either, it's been a miserable seven decades of football fandom.
But the Toon Army bring plenty of life and colour - ironic really given the strip they play in - to the football and have endured several near-misses as they looked to end one of sport's lengthiest waits. This weekend, their heartbreak was no more.
The Saudi millions will have tainted the success for many, understandably - but that's hardly the fans' fault is it?
Given what it feels like to enjoy glory, even the hardest-nosed human must have broken into a smile at the scenes of unadulterated joy that swept the capital and various locations up and down the land.
In truth, the party probably hasn't even finished yet - and is likely to go on for sometime.
There's an old joke that goes a little something like this: How can you tell if there's speedway tonight? Look outside and see if it's raining.
That's certainly the thoughts I had on Sunday morning when I looked outside to see sporadic rain and grey clouds that threatened to dampen Niels-Kristian Iversen's testimonial.
Thankfully, it passed without any bother and a bumper crowd enjoyed celebrating the legendary Dane's outstanding service to the British scene.
I wasn't able to make it but knew thousands would attend given how popular he is and the stellar line-up on show. Throw in the fact that it was the first meeting on these shores in 2025, and you had a recipe for an attendance that probably won't be beaten this season unless the King's Lynn Stars reach the end-of-season play-offs.
I can hear the bikes from my home and I must admit even that noise was a delight.
Unfortunately, I couldn't smell them and can't wait for my own first whiff with the club's season looming just around the corner.
On Friday it's press and practice and then the Knockout Cup against Oxford on March 24 - two meetings that I've long had prior engagements lined up for.
Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm on the terraces dodging shale and filling my nostrils with the sweet smell of speedway bikes.
Until then, it'll be watching from afar and hoping Iversen and his team-mates can hit the ground running to keep up the feelgood factor that is still swimming around Saddlebow Road.
It was a special day for Iversen and now here's hoping it's a special year for him, and Lynn, too.
