Except they’re slightly less successful than the snappers would be, because most have no idea how to strike the ball, how to shield it or how to tackle.

There are many well-meaning dads out there who give up their time to organise a Sunday morning kick about for the kids, but few can be as dedicated or as knowledgeable as Uefa B-qualified Ian Wells.

This father of three, from Warrington, got so frustrated with the way his children were being taught the game elsewhere that he set up Crosfields Junior Football Club in 1998, with the motto ‘Football For All’.

Now he oversees the coaching of 350 youngsters thanks to the efforts of around 60 volunteers.

Parents pay £165 for the year, which includes all kit and equipment, and a minimum of an hour’s training a week, plus games for the older players.

"My kids were at a very badly organised club," says Wells. "There was no structure to the coaching and they weren’t learning anything or even enjoying it very much. Here we do technical work right from day one, but the emphasis is on fun."

The club has, however, been hugely successful, as waiting lists of up to 40 kids in each year group testify. A handful of members have been snapped up by professional clubs’ academies and some have been selected at town level.

Crosfields became one of The FA’s 2,700 Charter Standard clubs in 2001, when Ian realised they were already adhering to most of The FA’s ‘best practice’ principles.

All Charter Standard clubs have to provide coaches who have The FA’s Level 1 coaching badge as a minimum and have undertaken courses in child protection and emergency first aid, and they are all vetted. At Crosfields, the coaches are also all club members’ parents.

As a Charter Standard club, Crosfields gets discounted courses. As a result, it pays for all parents (and many children) who want to train as coaches and many are Level 2 qualified. There are even a few Uefa B holders and one who has the Uefa A licence.

"It’s very reassuring," says Pat Vaughan, who has two boys at the club. "I know they’re safe there and I like the organisation. Anthony has just been signed up by Liverpool’s Academy, while Jonathan’s more laid-back. He’s often a sub, but they’re as good as their word when they say he’ll get on. I trust them."

A big part of the club’s success has been in educating parents. They must attend a soccer parenting course before their kids join up.

Wells says: "We make them sign a form agreeing not to coach from the sidelines, to encourage and applaud all the kids, and not to mouth off at officials. It’s very important. We want our kids to grow into decent human beings, as well as decent footballers."