It starts with Grassroots...

The journey to the top of football usually has a familiar starting point

Like most players, Matt’s football journey began at his local grassroots club. It was there that he not only fell in love with the game but also built friendships that would last a lifetime. Those early experiences shaped him, fueling his passion and drive to reach the highest levels of the sport.

But for clubs like Tytherington Juniors FC, where Matt's son is on his own grassroots journey, the reality is tough. These clubs rely on dedicated volunteers - often parents with full-time jobs - who give their time to keep the game alive. Without formal training, they do their best, but they need support to truly nurture the next generation of players.

So when The Coaching Manual gave Matt the chance to bring top-tier coaching education back to his son's club, he didn’t hesitate. It was more than just an opportunity - it was a way to give back, to help the next wave of young players experience the same passion and joy that shaped his own journey.

What Tytherington Juniors FC Said:

“I’d just bought a couple of licenses on The Coaching Manual and was wondering how we could roll it out across the whole club - but like many grassroots clubs, money is tight and in particular when we want to keep subs affordable for all. Most of our fundraising has been focused on building our new home ground; Riverside Park Playing Fields, so expanding our coaching resources felt out of reach for now.

So when Chris told me what Matt Jansen had offered to do, I was honestly blown away. His generous donation means we can now give all our coaches access to The Coaching Manual, and that’s a real game-changer for us. I already knew how good it was - but now every volunteer at the club can benefit from it.

Matt’s a class act - and with his son already in our U13s, he’s going to be a bit of a hero around here.”

Matt O'Brien
Secretary, Tytherington Juniors FC