Book excerpt: The book presents an insight into football development and every aspect of it is comprehensively covered with a special focus on grassroots football. Back to the Roots illustrates in detail the player development process, underlining and envisaging key aspects required for the successful and sustainable player development pathway. It highlights the importance of football in schools and training academies for young talent. The author, being associated with the game and its development for many years, presents a road-map for making football an integral part of the school education system. With an emphasis on the role of leadership in football development for bringing in a change or developing the game from every aspect, this book is a must read for everyone involved with the beautiful game – be it budding players, administrators, fans, policy makers, parents, coaches as well as young and old enthusiasts of the game.