PARENTAL behaviour is one of the main reasons why young children drop out of football, according to the island’s football development officer.

Paul Mooney (pictured) is a strong supporter of the ‘Respect’ campaign being launched by the Guernsey Football Association in the new year.

He has urged parents to support the campaign and to control themselves on the touchline.

‘It’s understandable that parents want their children to succeed and want to support them – but shouting helpful “advice” from the touchline doesn’t do that,’ said Mooney.

‘Anyone shouting instructions – coaches or parents – will mean players having to react to listen to the instructions and are not being able to deal with the job in hand. I’ve seen incidents in my short time over here which prove that.’

Mooney cites an instance where two defenders chasing back after an attacker both stopped in their tracks to hear what their coach was shouting at them. A goal was scored.