Parents from across the UK will come together this September for the only conference dedicated to helping families navigate every stage of the football journey.
Following the success of its inaugural Parent Conference in Croydon in 2025, No1Fan.club is heading north to Hotel Football, Manchester, bringing together parents, carers and professionals for another inspiring day of connection, support and shared learning.
On 27 September 2026, Marcia Lewis, founder of No1Fan.club and mother of Arsenal player and England international Myles LewisSkelly, is hosting a national gathering of football families to tackle a challenge she experienced first-hand: parents are often expected to navigate the football system without the information and support they need.
Supporting her son through football’s pathway highlighted how difficult it can be for families to understand the decisions, opportunities and challenges involved in helping a young player develop. That experience led Marcia to create No1Fan.club, the UK’s leading independent football parent platform, to help families access trusted guidance, honest conversations and practical support, whether their child is playing grassroots, academy, non-league or professional football.
In September No1Fan.club will host its second National Parent Football Conference at Hotel Football, Manchester, with 300 parents expected to attend.
“Parents want to do the very best for their children, but football can be a complicated world to navigate,” said Marcia Lewis, CEO and founder of No1Fan.club. “Families are often making important decisions about clubs, development, education, contracts and wellbeing without knowing where to turn. This conference brings parents and the football industry together because informed parents create better experiences for young players.”
A conference built around the questions parents actually ask, The National Parent Football Conference will bring together parents, football professionals and industry experts for a day of practical advice, honest conversations and shared experiences. The programme covers every stage of the football pathway, recognising that every family’s journey is different. Topics include:
• How do I know if my child is at the right club?
• What does the pathway look like in girls’ football?
• How can parents communicate effectively with coaches?
• When do contracts and agents become relevant?
• How can young players balance education alongside football?
• How do parents support wellbeing without adding pressure?
• What happens if football does not work out?
• Can non-league become a career pathway?
“Parents deserve more than guesswork,” said Kate Iorpenda, Director of Programme Development at No1Fan.club and mother of two young professional footballers. “They deserve access to people who understand the system and to other parents who have already experienced the highs and challenges of the journey. Too often, families are trying to make important decisions without knowing what questions to ask or where to find trusted advice.”
Why this matters
Parents are one of the most important influences in a young player’s football journey, yet many families struggle to find clear, independent information when they need it most. No1Fan.club believes better-informed parents lead to better communication between families, players, coaches and clubs, helping young people enjoy football for longer and make decisions with greater confidence.
Making the conference accessible
No family should miss out on support because of their financial circumstances. Thanks to sponsor support, No1Fan.club is offering supported tickets for eligible families, including parents receiving free school meals or Universal Credit, as well as free places for parents supporting girls in football. The organisation believes access to reliable football information should not depend on a family’s income.
Why Manchester?
Manchester is one of football’s most iconic cities and provides the setting for a national conversation about supporting families in the game. Hosted opposite Old Trafford at Hotel Football, the conference will bring together parents, football professionals and organisations from across the UK for a day focused on knowledge, connection and support.