Welcome to Salisbury Rovers FC!
Established 2016
​Wiltshire FA Best Inclusive Project 2017
Wiltshire FA Young Volunteer of the Year Winner 2018
Wiltshire FA's Charter Standard Club of 2018 
Wiltshire FA's Charter Standard Club of 2019
Wiltshire FA Highly Commended in Club of Year category 2020
Wiltshire FA Rising Stars of the Year Winner 2020
Wiltshire FA Highly Commended in Youth Coach of the year category 2020
Winner Positive Football Environment 2023


​" . . the fact is that kids learn to make good decisions by making decisions,
not by following directions."
Alfie Kohn, Lecturer in Education and Psychology

We do things differently here!

Our philosophy is clear and underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Youth football belongs to the children and young people who play it.

Children do not (and should not) play for adult entertainment. They should play for themselves. They should play because they love football. This love of the game drives development. ​You can see it every time a truly great player plays. Our job is to cherish that love of the game and use it to promote individual and football development.

We have developed some very clear rules ​to help us return the game to the kids and to respect their rights.

1. We prioritise children's rights.

2. We put the voice of the child and young person at the centre of our practice. We ask children for their views and act upon them. Kids' voices will always be louder than the adults. We are not concerned with adult needs or egos. ​It's your game, play it your way!​​

3. We respect the right of all children and young people to play. We don't trial and select. Good coaches coach all children, not just the handful they've determined to be 'the best' (or who might win matches for them)!

4.  We expect high standards and a rights based approach from our coaches and we promote continuing professional development. 

5. Our football is truly competitive with competition which is owned by child and young person not by the adult. Real competition is not about moaning about the scoreline or chasing from club  to club trying to get a place on a 'winning' team. It is about taking ownership of your own game, wanting to try hard, lead,  learn and improve. It's about being prepared to make your own decisions and 'mistakes'. It's about having fun!

6. We organise equal pitch time for every child  and young g person who regularly attends club sessions. No one learns or has fun by sitting on the sidelines. 

7.  We don't direct children's play in matches. We ask questions, we engage, discuss and listen.  Children learn by making their own decisions and we want to develop confident, thinking footballers. This can take time and patience so if you want your child to be spoon fed instructions shouted across the pitch by a coach,  or if your focus is just the scoreline, we are definitely not the club for you!

8. We don't do lines, laps or lectures. If you want old-fashioned coaching (dribbling around cones and coach instruction), you're best off elsewhere! Our coaching practice is evidence based.​

Football is also about values and about community. We are committed to making football affordable for all kids. No one should ever feel "priced out" of our national game.

Our sponsors

Grant funders