GIRLS are better than boys at playing football, according to a coach trying to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

An explosion in the popularity of women’s football has allowed Darlington coach John Kelly to see just how good girls are at a sport traditionally dominated by men.

Over the past year, Mr Kelly has had more girls than ever sign up for the Darlington 21st All Stars.

Appealing for more girls to join the team, Mr Kelly praised the skill and dedication of those already playing for the side.

He said: “I have coached boys’ football for 15 years and it is completely different – they are better.

“Their social skills are better, they listen and there’s a real sense of fun, even though they’re still competitive and want to win.

“Lads are told from an early age it’s all about scoring goals but girls understand there’s a lot more to it.

“In the past, girls often started off playing for the boys’ team but as they got older, the boys got stronger and bigger and in that respect, some of the girls can compete but others lose interest.

“We want to get those girls back into the sport and enjoying themselves.”

Mr Kelly said the rising popularity of the women’s world cup, the UEFA Women’s Euro tournament and initiatives like the FA Girls’ Football Week were helping to change attitudes towards women’s football.

He said: “I’d like to see women’s football treated in the same way as men’s is.

“My son got a scholarship to America through his football and I don’t see why my daughter cannot do the same thing, if she has got the skills to do it there’s no difference.

“It’s traditionally been about men, about lads and dads, but it’s all changing now.

“The attitude towards women’s football is getting better and we’re getting more girls starting from a young age.

“We’re still finding that it’s harder for older girls to put on their football boots for the first time but if they join us, it will give them a sense of belonging, lots of fun and the chance to make friends as well as play football at a competitive level.”

The team trains once a week - because, Mr Kelly says, girls have a busier sports schedule than football focused boys - and are also expected to play games at home and away. For more information or to join up, email john.kelly46@outlook.com.