About Mini Sports Stars
Our Story
Mini Sports Stars was founded in 2014 by George Pannell, who spotted a real gap in local provision for young children wanting to play football in a fun, structured, and supportive setting. What started as a small Saturday morning session grew quickly, and with that growth came a natural next question: how do we give these children somewhere to go next? The answer was Mini Sports Stars FC, giving players a pathway into team football and the chance to represent the club they love.
At the heart of MSS is a passionate team of coaches with one shared goal: to make a positive impact on every child they work with. Led by George, the team is committed to delivering high-quality sessions in an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to be there.
Our mission is simple.
We want to make football as accessible as possible and give every child the opportunity to play in a safe, inclusive environment, while developing a lifelong love for the game. Building the person matters just as much as developing the footballer. Kindness, teamwork, respect, and good sportsmanship run through everything we do, helping children grow not just on the pitch, but in everyday life.
Most of all, we're proud of the community we've built. MSS is more than a football programme. It's a place where children, families, and coaches come together, form lasting friendships, and find a genuine sense of belonging.
Our Values
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Engagement
We believe all children should enjoy the sessions and feel apart of every session.
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Interaction
Players should have the opportunity to interact with different children form different backgrounds to develop as a person
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Inclusion
Children of all abilities should have the opportunity to play football and have fun.
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Accessibility
All sessions tailored and adapted to meet the needs of all children
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Fun
We want all players that represent Mini Sports Stars to enjoy themselves and build a love for football
Our Approach
What sets Mini Sports Stars apart is our commitment to developing every child through a positive, inclusive, and player-focused coaching style. We build players up with confidence and encouragement, making sure every child enjoys every moment on the pitch. Our sessions are carefully designed around maximising ball contact, using small-sided games to keep every player constantly involved, making decisions, and developing their skills.
We offer a clear progression pathway, starting with our Saturday sessions and moving into more technical midweek training as players grow. From there, players can step into league football, all within the same values-led environment they started in.
In our younger age groups, inclusion and enjoyment come before competition. We believe football should be for everyone, and we work hard to make sure every child feels welcome and part of the team from day one.
Beyond the pitch, MSS is known for its strong community feel. From mums' football to parents cheering on across different age groups, the friendships and connections formed here are just as important as the football itself.
Ready to get started?
Your child's football journey starts on a Saturday morning. Come and see what MSS is all about.