From local pitches to football’s biggest stage: Why protecting grassroots clubs matters more than ever

Football's biggest moments may take place on the world’s most visible stages, but the game depends on a much broader network of clubs, volunteers and local communities. 

Across England, grassroots football provides opportunities for thousands of young people every week while bringing communities together through sport.  

Yet many clubs face increasing financial pressures, with rising operating costs placing strain on facilities that local players and families rely upon. 

That is why E.ON Next continues to support England Football’s Greener Game sustainability programme – designed to help grassroots clubs reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and strengthen their long-term future. 

Because while major football events may capture public attention, the future of the game depends on the strength and sustainability of the community clubs that support it year-round. 

And if the game is to continue thriving in the years ahead, those local foundations need supported.

Because while football's biggest tournaments may capture the headlines, the future of the sport depends just as much on keeping community clubs open every weekend. 

Every football journey starts somewhere 

Most sporting success stories grow from a grassroots club, a local pitch and a community team where football first became fun instead of global pressure. 

For example, former England defender Joleon Lescott recently sat down with England internationals Jordan Henderson, Ollie Watkins and Djed Spence – pictured together above – to revisit their formative years in grassroots play for E.ON Next.

What emerged was not a conversation about trophies or fame. 

It was a chat about people, the communities that supported them, the volunteers who gave up their time and the clubs that gave them somewhere to belong – and you can watch Joleon in the clip below talking about the impact of grassroots football on his life and career.

Jordan also told us during the sit-down his earliest football memory at Fulwell Juniors in Sunderland was based on him overcoming a huge challenge in childhood. 

“I started playing when I was maybe six,” he recalled. “I can remember the first game – I think I ran off at half time crying. I didn’t know what to do, but then after a few games I settled and enjoyed it straight away.”

Jordan’s recollection shows the difference between carrying on and walking away often comes down to encouragement, support and community. 

Reflecting on grassroots football's wider impact, Jordan hailed it for bringing communities together “regardless” of the “colour or background” of all involved. 

For Ollie Watkins, whose journey began at Newton Town FC in Devon, football depended on the kindness of people outside his immediate family. 

“My mum was working in the evenings – my parents had separated,” he said. “So I was always reliant on my best mate’s dad to give me a lift. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have been able to make training.” 

It is the kind of contribution that rarely appears in football highlights packages. 

Yet grassroots football is built on thousands of similar acts every week: the lifts home, the washed kits and the volunteers unlocking clubhouses before everyone else arrives. 

“All the professionals that you see playing today have always had to start off from there,” Ollie also reflected – adding: “So just enjoy it.” 

For Djed Spence, who started at Junior Elite FC in South London, some of the most vivid memories were the simplest. 

“There was always a ceremony at the end of the season,” he said. “And I always used to get Improved Player a lot.” 

Moments like those matter. 

For young players, a small trophy handed out in a clubhouse can feel every bit as significant as silverware on the biggest stage. 

Djed added: “I think it’s great for kids to go somewhere, play for a club and just have fun – enjoy and learn and perfect your craft.” 

Listening to the players, a common theme quickly emerges. 

Grassroots football develops far more than footballers. 

It fosters confidence, friendships, belonging and community. 

As Joleon reflected: “The enjoyment of it – just that feeling of playing, regardless of what the outcome could be in terms of your career. Just the enjoyment is top.” 

But community clubs face growing pressures 

The challenge is that while grassroots football delivers enormous social value, the clubs themselves often operate under increasing financial strain. 

Across England, thousands of clubs sit behind village halls, beside railway lines and on the edges of towns.

Many are run entirely by volunteers. 

Most face the same challenge: rising operational costs, from floodlights, headlights, washing machines and clubhouse maintenance. 

Energy is one of the biggest costs many grassroots clubs face. 

Which is why helping clubs become more energy efficient is becoming increasingly important when it comes to protecting the future of football. 

A blueprint from Derbyshire 

Few clubs demonstrate that better than Staveley Miners Welfare FC. 

One of the original pilot clubs in the Greener Game programme, which E.ON Next has supported since 2024, the Staveley club has spent almost two years proving how sustainability can become a catalyst for wider community growth. 

When former England goalkeeper Rob Green recently returned to see the results, chairman Terry Damms reflected on the changes – as you can see from the video below.

“Twelve months ago, we got the E.ON Next panels on the clubhouse,” Terry said. “Since then, we've had further works done – building classrooms. So it’s been a busy year.”

Busy is something of an understatement. 

Today, around 30 teams call the club home, from Under-6s through to men’s and women’s first teams. 

“We're accommodating the Under-6’s right the way through to our first team – men’s and women’s," Terry explained. 

He added: “We’ve probably got up to 30 teams. We’ve got to make sure that this facility is open to everybody. It’s not about one set – it’s about everybody. 

“It just provides such a great feeling that you’ve got all people from this local community, that’s gone through its trials and tribulations, and to get them here – smiling, and grandparents and parents in the clubhouse having a cup of coffee… that’s how we measure success at this football club.” 

As Terry says, that success is not measured only in participation. 

It is also reflected in the club's ability to invest in its future. 

“The E.ON Next audit showed I think we've got something like 150 plug points on this complex,” Terry added. “We’ve got these fantastic floodlights that are on during the week. It’s a constant use. We’ve put new buildings on for BTEC and university work.” 

Terry – pictured below smiling at the club grounds – also told how he is now hopeful Staveley Miners FC can achieve “a 10 percent saving on our electric bill.

These savings matter because they create options, as well as more investment, better facilities and increased opportunities for local people. 

As Terry said: “It’s about community – it’s about usage on the pitch for everybody. 

“Off the pitch, I’ll continue to absolutely make this the best possible place I can, so that when people come here they’re safe, they’re secure, they enjoy the facilities – and that, really, is the number one aim for the future.” 

The Greener Game was created to help clubs do exactly that. 

Shefford Sports Club in Bedfordshire, for example, received a suite of upgrades including solar panels and a battery, alongside energy saving guidance from E.ON Next. 

These interventions have seen the club – which an E.ON engineer can be seen auditing below – save around £700 to £800 each month on its energy bills, with savings invested back into the team and facilities. 

These are not simply energy savings. 

They are football savings, community savings – and future savings. 

They help keep floodlights switched on through winter evenings. 

They help keep changing rooms warm. 

They help ensure local clubs remain open to the next generation of players. 

As Joleon said about grassroots play: “It develops referees, coaches and physios – it's important we keep that going.”

Because the story of football is not written solely in the stadiums the world watches this summer. 

It is written every week in grassroots clubs. 

Click here for information on how to join the Greener Game today and see how eligible clubs have the power to save money and energy.  

And click here to learn about our Watch & Wash campaign – which sees England legends highlight £93million in potential fan savings tied to off-peak electricity use around this summer’s kick-offs.