Graham Taylor gets to grass roots

As England head to South Africa in search of ultimate glory some careers have just started.

The national squad touched down for their shot at the World Cup this morning, a lifetime away from those ambitious youngsters eyeing the future tournaments.

Muddy and dusty pitches across the country hold the future of English football - the perfect stage for Graham Taylor.

The former England, Villa and Wolves boss believes junior clubs lay the foundations for careers which could see kids hit superstardom.

From the breeding ground of Hackney Marshes to the glory of Villa Park or Molineux, Taylor knows the next generation of Premier League talent must start somewhere.

England's Michael Carrick, one of those in South Africa, began his career with north east boys club Wallsend - following on from Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer.

From there they were plucked and groomed for the professional game but, without the platform of grass roots, they would never have made it.

At one stage Albion, Wolves, Villa and Walsall stars would have begun their path to stardom on ridged and rutted turf.

With Grass Roots LIVE set to start at the NEC tomorrow, Taylor insists junior football is more important than ever.

He said: "People talk about the David Beckhams, the Ronaldos and the Messis but where do they all start?

"They start on parks kicking a football around with their friends. This is their first taste of football and the most important thing of all is that they enjoy it.

"If they don't enjoy it they won't carry on playing the game. There is a lot talked about our academy systems allied to our professional clubs. They are vitally important, of course.

"But the majority of our players will have started out on the parks playing for junior teams.

"Where do the professional clubs scout them from? From playing in local junior leagues, of course.

"It's vital our young children enjoy playing football with their school colleagues and their friends in an atmosphere and environment where they are supported and encouraged by their parents and relatives."

But Taylor believes teams play a bigger part than just developing young talent as they also give them a social grounding to avoid trouble.

In today's knife and gun crime climate, sport can offer a welcome escape from the less respectable of pastimes.

He said: "Our framework of junior clubs provides a huge social benefit to local communities up and down the country.

"We live in an era where kids can no longer play football on street corners. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest issues for our younger generation is boredom and difficulties experienced with teenage gangs.

"Football is an outlet and every one of these junior clubs not only teaches them about football but the youngsters themselves learn about life skills.

"Teamwork, bonding, friendship, hard work and loyalty."

The 65-year-old paid tribute to the volunteers who put themselves out to give children a chance.

He said: "Often it is the people who can least afford it who find themselves having to keep clubs going and ensuring that our next generation of footballers have a club to play for during their formative years.

"I have a grandson who plays in a junior club and I know from first-hand experience the huge amount of effort which has to be expended by the club to raise funds.

"On the face of it, to hear that junior teams need an average annual budget of £2,000 seems incredible.

"But, when you start to add it all up, you can see how the costs grow."

Taylor is at Grass Roots Football LIVE tomorrow at the NEC along with the likes of Bradford boss Peter Taylor, Alan Curbishley, Iain Dowie and George Burley with the event running until Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased at www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8020.