What age can children start playing football?
Parents often ask whether four is too young, or whether nine is too late. In grassroots football the honest answer is that both are fine.
Four and five: little and often
At this age football should be a happy hour on a Saturday morning, not training. Sessions are short, games-based and full of running about. Attention spans are short too, and that is completely normal.
At Grayshott FC this is Mini Sparks — Reception and Year 1, 9am to 10am on Saturdays during term time at the Rec.
Six and seven: the first team
From Year 2 children move into U7, their first proper squad, with a manager, a weekly training session and small-sided matches against other village clubs. There are no league tables at this age — the point is to play.
Older starters are welcome too
Plenty of children come to football at nine, eleven or thirteen, often after trying other sports. Grassroots clubs are not academies: if there is space in a squad and your child wants to play, they can join. Ask the age group whether they have room.
Play for Grayshott FC
We are a volunteer-run village club at Grayshott Recreational Ground, with teams from ages 4 to 16 for families in Grayshott, Hindhead, Haslemere and nearby villages.
Last updated 14 September 2026 by Grayshott Football Club.