Consultation for our current strategy and a review of the transition of players from youth to adult football revealed that you felt there is still a strong negative perception of behaviour in the adult game which needed to be addressed if we are to keep the format attractive and sustainable.

Working in partnership with our 6 affiliated leagues the survey was completed by 114 players.

Results have revealed that the behaviour of others has a strong bearing on player’s enjoyment of the game with 90% of respondents rating this aspect as important to very important.

When asked to think about the standard of behaviour for players, coaches, spectators and referees the majority rated these areas as good. Player behaviour emerged as the worst rated of the four headings although this only amounted to 21% classifying it as fair to poor.

Dissent towards referees was identified as the issue most in need of being addressed in player’s leagues (54%) followed by the use of offensive, insulting or abusive language towards referees (46%) and then the use of offensive, insulting or abusive language towards players (45%). 

All of the results have been summarized in an infographic which has been shared with the leagues and can be downloaded here.

If you would like to find out more about our work in this area please contact Nigel Saverton on Nigel.Saverton@OxfordshireFA.com