Gillingham assistant manager Paul Raynor backs FA as guidelines advise against primary school children heading the ball in training

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:08, 26 February 2020

Updated: 13:05, 26 February 2020

Paul Raynor has backed new FA guidelines on primary school children heading the ball in training.

The FA have advised grassroots coaches against heading practice while concerns persist over the long-term effects, with a new study establishing links to dementia in later life.

Gillingham assistant boss Paul Raynor says the FA have got it right over new heading guidelines for youngsters Picture: Ady Kerry

Gills assistant manager Raynor believes the FA are right to take steps while research continues.

He said: “I can see the concerns and if medical science is telling us that, then I think it’s a good thing and we have to utilise that and use people’s knowledge.

“You don’t want to change the game totally because it’s a fantastic game that everybody loves but we have to take things on board and I think it’s a very good idea.

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“They get to adulthood, that’s up to people to make their own decisions in terms of where they play, how they play, whether they take that risk, but especially with children, while we’re not quite sure, then I think it makes real sense.

“Heading is a massive part of the game but you have to listen to people better qualified than us about the risk of that and if we can protect young kids and it’s going to benefit them in later life then, absolutely, I totally agree with it.”