While there is no doubt that many of them give up their own leisure time to provide transport and support for their children, the odd one or two can overstep the mark in backing their son or daughter's team.

But today I have a more sinister tale to tell about the game at the grassroots level where the stars of tomorrow are taking their first steps in football.

There is no doubt that the men and women who take their Football Association badges perform a valuable service in ensuring that youngsters get a grounding in the game.

There are training nights to organise and run and matchdays to negotiate.

All work that would not get done without volunteers.

But events this season surrounding a team with which I have a loose association have caused my eyebrows to raise a little.

Firstly, I have discovered that at under eights level - as I understand it, the first at which youngsters can play in organised leagues - there are coaches who go to spy on future opposition sides.

Why would a coach be more concerned about stopping another team from playing rather than how his own players perform?

Secondly, there is the matter of match officiating.

Ordinarily the home side supplies the referee and throw-ins and the like are given on a trust basis from the sidelines by coaches.

However, there was one game in the past couple of months in which a contentious handball decision went against a visiting side.

And not only a visiting side, but one which had designs on the league title.

A few games later the league authorities sent their own referee to take charge of a game which also had a bearing on the destination of the title.

I have no problems with 'independent' referees, in fact the teenager sent to the game did a good job.

Why not have a qualified referee at every game, helping the young officials work their way through the system as well?

The problem I do have is a win at all costs attitude that is prevalent from the very first games youngsters play.

The game should be played to be enjoyed and while winning is great, sport is merely a reflection of life.

For every winner there has to be a number of losers and you have to learn to deal with that.

Then again, the way losers are treated in this country makes you wonder why anyone takes up sport at all.

Anyone got a David Beckham shirt?

It seems that if you have you had better make sure he intended to give it to you and not the person next to you also clamouring for it.

Best friends in Honolulu have fallen out after both claimed the England star gave him his top after a friendly in Hawaii.

In fact they have fallen out so badly that court action is a possibility to decide who the rightful owner is.

Quite simply it makes me despair.