Blog

Tips, guides, and stories about grassroots football.

2026-05-01

Football Team WhatsApp Group: 7 Rules That Actually Work

Most squads run their football team out of a WhatsApp group, and most WhatsApp groups slowly fall apart. Seven rules that keep yours functional — borrowed from the squads that don't fold.

2026-04-29

What Is a Football Ringer? A Practical Guide for Casual Squads

A ringer is the casual player you call when your squad is short. A guide to what ringers are, when to use them, how to find one, and the etiquette nobody tells you about.

2026-04-27

How to Stop Football Players Flaking on Match Day

Every grassroots squad has a few flakers. Here's how to spot them, what to do about them, and how to set up your squad so flaking stops killing your matches.

2026-04-20

How to Split Pitch Costs Fairly Across Your Squad

Stop chasing everyone for a fiver. A practical guide to splitting 5-a-side and 7-a-side pitch costs fairly — including what to do about no-shows, guests, and late payers.

2026-04-15

5-a-side vs 7-a-side vs 11-a-side: Which Format Suits Your Squad?

Choosing between 5s, 7s, and 11s comes down to squad size, venue, and how you want the game to feel. A practical comparison with the trade-offs nobody mentions.

2026-04-10

Why Grassroots Teams Keep Running Short — and What Actually Fixes It

Every Tuesday night it's the same: you booked the pitch for 10, five people replied, and now you're on WhatsApp at 4pm. The fix isn't more messages — it's a better process.

2026-04-08

How to Organize Your First Football Tournament

A step-by-step guide to organizing a local 5-a-side or 7-a-side tournament using SquadLock.

2026-04-01

How to Find Football Players Near You

Struggling to fill your squad? Here's how to use the SquadLock ringer marketplace to find reliable players in your area.

2026-03-25

Best 5-a-Side Pitches in London

A guide to the best 5-a-side football pitches across London — from Hackney to Wandsworth, we cover price, surface, and availability.