Is it really about jumpers for goalposts? Self confessed lowly park player Majid Ghani gets all authoritative whilst preaching the virtues of local community football.

Having worked my sporting trade in both the Cardiff Combination League and the Lazarou Sunday League, I consider myself something of a knowledgeable journeyman on the local football terrain.

For instance, I could tell you that there are numerous football leagues within South East Wales, and that amongst these you could find local football teams for all ages and both sexes.

I might even explain the extent to which football in Wales is thriving with a national team to match (at last).

As I said, I could, but I won't.

Personal Motivation

Only those of you who have dreamed of playing in the greatest football stadiums against the greatest football players will be able to appreciate and fully understand my joy as I pull on my football kit, lace up my boots and run out in substandard conditions to be greeted by the cheers and howls of one man and his dog.

We all have sporting dreams - it's just that my own tend to be played out at the lower end of the spectrum.

Dismiss Your Limitations

If I survived a football match without having fallen over my own feet or having suffered a comical injury, I knew I could always walk proudly off the park pitch with my lowly reputation still intact in the eyes of the lone spectator, if not his faithful dog.

Afterwards I would tell tales to all who would listen of my exploits in front of goal, my clean crisp tacking allied with laser precision passing, only always to be greeted with the same response - 'but you're the goalie aren't you?'

Not that this ever mattered much to me as I never played the game on the wonky, bump-ridden park pitches provided by the local council, but outside the bounds of reality on the fantasy plains of the San Siro, Nou Camp or Highbury.

From my own experiences I would strongly encourage anybody interested in the sport of football to further their goals and aspirations through joining a local team.

After all we can all dream, and therefore we can all play.

What do you think about football in Wales? Air your views in our message board, The Box.