Kid footballers banned from wearing tiny shin pads made popular by Jack Grealish
KID footballers are being banned from wearing tiny shin pads made popular by Man City’s Jack Grealish.
Junior clubs fear the 3in by 2in guards worn by the England ace and other stars offer too little protection.
FA guidelines state shin pads must be worn and offer “reasonable protection” — but do not specify a minimum size.
Managers say they have seen a steep rise in the mini pads being worn by youngsters who received them as Christmas presents.
They want to copy the likes of Grealish and Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who have set the trend for the pads.
Whitley Bay FC junior club in North Tyneside told players and parents: “The club does not accept these as sufficient protection and requires all players to wear full-size shin pads for training and matches.
“Players without full size shin pads will not be allowed to participate for safety.”
Dad Matthew Whitaker, of Penwith, Cornwall, agrees and said of his ten-year-old, Grealish-loving son Theo: “I’d never let him wear tiny ones.
“They’re not safe for any level of football.”