The Pickard household is a beehive of activity. Parents Hazel and Steve have four football-mad sons, who all play for different clubs.

Scott, Davy, Ben and Max usually play their matches at different times at different venues and all have different training nights.

It is a complete nightmare for their mum and dad, who have to not only choose between which of their sons they will watch, but act as a taxi service for the youngsters.

But they love every minute of it.

Max, 7, and Ben, 9, play for Mile Oak, while older brother Davy, 11, turns out for Brighton Suzuki, Brighton Boys and is a member of the Portsmouth Centre of Excellent and Scott, 12, plays for Withdean 2000.

Hazel said: "It is always chaotic, because they all train on different days and usually play at different times.

Although Max and Ben both play at different age groups for Mile Oak, they normally play at the same time at the same venue, but that's not always the case.

"We sometimes have to swap between games. Steve will usually watch one and I'll watch another. He might drop me off with the two little ones and I'll switch between the two matches, while Steve will take the others to their games."

Thankfully they get help from club managers and other parents, who are sympathetic towards the Pickards.

Max and Ben usually enjoy most of their parents' support.

Hazel said: "It's only fair that at least one of us is there for the two younger ones. It's important for them to have their mum or dad watching.

"It can be tough because we have to play a juggling act between them all, but we cope and the children are happy because they love their football."

The youngsters are all following in the footsteps of their dad. Steve was a striker for Lewes.

But only Max plays as a striker. The three other boys play in defence or midfield.

Steve said: "I'm a bit surprised only one of the boys takes after me as a striker. Young Max is pretty good too.

"We have lots of fun together with the football and I don't mind being a taxi driver.

"Sometimes I have to drop a couple of the boys off somewhere in Brighton and then take another to Eastbourne. It is hectic and we do clock up the miles."

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