A new kind of football session is kicking off in Rotherham — one that’s all about fun, friendship, and feeling part of something. All About Football (AAF), the fast-growing inclusive football community founded by Joe Evans, is launching a Tuesday night session at the newly refurbished Parkgate Astro in partnership with Rotherham United Community Trust (RUCT).
For Joe, All About Football began from a place many adults can relate to — a love of the game, but a struggle to find the right environment to enjoy it.
“I love football, always have,” Joe explains. “But I’m older, overweight, and not very good. When I joined 11 or 6-a-side teams, I’d maybe get a five-minute cameo or warm the bench. When I did get on, there was pressure to perform — it just wasn’t fun.”
So, he took matters into his own hands, gathering friends for relaxed kickabouts without pressure or judgment. Word spread quickly. What started with 60 players has now grown to over 200 participants in just four months — all drawn to AAF’s chilled, welcoming approach.
When it came to expanding into Rotherham, Joe says RUCT was the obvious partner.
“I’ve been a Rotherham United supporter all my life — as has my dad and grandad. I love what the Trust does and how it supports the local community through football,” he says. “Mental health is a big part of our mission, so partnering with RUCT, who do so much great work in that space, made perfect sense. We’re even donating a percentage of our profits to support their projects.”
At the heart of AAF is a belief that football should be fun and accessible for everyone — regardless of age, ability, or fitness level.
“Unless you’re playing professionally, football should be about enjoyment,” says Joe. “You should be able to turn up, know you’ll be passed the ball, and just enjoy the game without pressure.”
The new Parkgate Astro session reflects that ethos. Every Tuesday night, players can expect balanced teams, no referees, no harsh tackles, and a friendly, inclusive environment. “We swap goalkeepers every six minutes, so everyone gets a go,” Joe says. “If a game’s one-sided, we make some switches — it’s all about keeping it fair and fun.”
Joe is particularly passionate about creating a space for people who’ve felt excluded from traditional football setups.
“As adults, it can be daunting. You join a league and get shouted at by teammates or subbed off after a mistake. It can be off-putting. At AAF, we just encourage each other, laugh off the errors, and enjoy the game. The result doesn’t matter — it’s all about the experience.”
That inclusive culture is already making an impact. Joe recalls stories of participants who’ve seen major mental and physical health improvements. “One guy lost five stone. Another had serious injuries and thought he’d never play again — now he’s back on the pitch. Every player has their own success story.”
Joe is full of praise for the new facility at Parkgate Astro. “It’s one of the best pitches in Rotherham — brand new goals, perfect markings, and kinder on older joints. It’s ideal for what we’re doing.”
He also has big plans for the future of the partnership with RUCT: “We’d love to grow with more sessions — walking football, women’s football, maybe even a friendly Rotherham AAF vs Burton AAF charity match. The more we can do to get people active, connected, and having fun, the better.”
Join the Team
For anyone nervous about joining, Joe has one simple message: “You’re not alone. It’s a warm, welcoming atmosphere. People go for a drink before or after, there’s WhatsApp groups — we look after everyone. Once you’re on that pitch, you’re part of the team.”
Want to get involved?
Visit www.all-about-football.co.uk, email Joe at joe@all-about-football.co.uk, or WhatsApp him on 07790 042616. It’s free to sign up, there’s no commitment, and it’s strictly pay-as-you-play.
Come as an individual — leave as part of the team.
