Soon there will be talk of hope and inspiration, of the opportunity to run and be free, but before that Sir Kenny Dalglish wants to make a point.
It’s an important one, too. During a period of our lives in which there has been disruption, upset and frustration on a scale we could never have imagined, Dalglish has opened up the situation to firmly include the younger generations. He knows where sympathies should be channelled.
‘The concentration, maybe rightly so, has been on the adults — for them to get back to work, to get out socialising and everything else,’ says Dalglish. ‘But let’s have it right — let’s not forget about the kids. They have got a social life too.
Sir Kenny Dalglish helps McDonald’s deliver free football coaching sessions for kids
‘I’m getting videos sent to me of the grandkids playing out. It’s brilliant to see them enjoying it again. They love it! They’re six and four. That’s their social life.
‘It might just be a wee game of football, their leagues restarting or whatever sport they are involved in. They have got a life too. We need to take them into consideration. We are trying to get out of this pandemic when there has been no positivity.
‘The kids have been restricted with the opportunities to try and get out and about. They just want to go and kick a ball, don’t they? What about the development these kids have missed out on? The sports they are participating in and everything else. A year is a long time without football.’
Any parent whose child has seen their weekly routine turned upside down by the consequences of lockdowns and league seasons being aborted will understand the issue that Dalglish, one of the giants of British game, raises. All they want is the opportunity for some normality once more.
Dalglish hopes, in a way, he will be able to provide an answer to that this summer. In his role as an ambassador for McDonald’s, he will be central to a programme that will see hundreds of free sessions, delivered by fully qualified coaches in 700 locations across the nation.
The Scottish legend is well aware of the positive impact the game has on the nation
‘McDonald’s have been doing this, with grassroots football, for 20 years,’ says Dalglish, whose association with the company stretches back the same time. ‘In that period, it has mushroomed. The most important thing is, when the kids turn up, it is not about ability. It’s just about enjoyment.
‘All you want is for the kids to come along and enjoy themselves. Obviously, there will be some good footballers there, boys and girls. But I have never been at the gala days
