Football

From grassroots to professional academies — discover football programmes for young players across the UK.

Your Football Journey

The FA has created structured pathways for every age group, from fun mini-soccer to elite academy programmes.

5-7

Mini-Soccer

Ages 5-7

Small-sided games (5v5) focusing on fun, ball skills, and teamwork. No league tables — just enjoyment.

Sportacus - KS2 Football (Trinity Primary School)

Sportacus

football

Kids Takeover – Ballers @ KTO Football Academy (Ages 5–12, Yorkshire & UK)

Kids Takeover

football

A Usports Football Development Centre | Woodley

Check a Club

football

7-9

Youth Development

Ages 7-9

Transition to 7v7 football with basic tactical concepts. Focus remains on technical development.

Riverside Youth Club — Sports Fun 4 All Football

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Riverside Youth Club — Millwall Kicks

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Sportacus - KS2 Football (Trinity Primary School)

Sportacus

football

9-11

9v9 Football

Ages 9-11

Intermediate format preparing players for full-sized football. More structured coaching and competition.

Riverside Youth Club — Sports Fun 4 All Football

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Riverside Youth Club — Millwall Kicks

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Sportacus - KS2 Football (Trinity Primary School)

Sportacus

football

11-14

Junior Football

Ages 11-14

Full 11v11 matches. Talented players may trial for professional academy programmes.

Riverside Youth Club — Sports Fun 4 All Football

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Riverside Youth Club — Millwall Kicks

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Sportacus - KS2 Football (Trinity Primary School)

Sportacus

football

14-18

Youth & Academy

Ages 14-18

Academy contracts, scholarship programmes, and pathways to professional football.

Riverside Youth Club — Sports Fun 4 All Football

Lewisham Youth Service

football

Riverside Youth Club — Millwall Kicks

Lewisham Youth Service

football

A Usports Football Development Centre | Woodley

Check a Club

football

Where Football Can Take You

The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.

Professional Footballer

Playing at professional level in leagues worldwide

Key Skills

Technical abilityTactical awarenessPhysical fitnessMental resilience

Typical Route

Academy → Youth team → Reserve/U23s → First team → International

Football Coach

Coaching players from grassroots to professional level

Key Skills

Tactical knowledgeCommunicationLeadershipPlayer development

Typical Route

FA Level 1 → Level 2 → UEFA B → UEFA A → UEFA Pro

Sports Physiotherapist

Treating football injuries and supporting player recovery

£38.5kmedian salary

Range: £28.8k - £46.8k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

AnatomyRehabilitationManual therapyPitch-side care

Typical Route

Physio degree → Sports specialism → Club physio → Head of medical

Football Scout

Identifying and recruiting talented players

Key Skills

Player assessmentNetworkingData analysisReport writing

Typical Route

Local scouting → Regional scout → Chief scout → Head of recruitment

Sports Journalist

Covering football for media outlets

£32kmedian salary

Range: £23.2k - £41.6k

Source: ONS ASHE 2024

Key Skills

WritingAnalysisInterviewingSocial media

Typical Route

Fan media → Local press → National media → Broadcast

Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024

Football Heroes

These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.

Marcus Rashford

Football

Manchester United, England, MBE for child poverty campaign

Started atAge 5

FromManchester

“I started at Fletcher Moss Rangers when I was 5. That grassroots club gave me my start.”

Harry Kane

Football

England Captain, Premier League Golden Boot winner

Started atAge 6

FromLondon

“I was released by Arsenal at 8. Never give up on your dreams.”

Lucy Bronze

Football

World's Best Player, Champions League winner, England

Started atAge 7

FromNorthumberland

“I played in boys teams until I was 12. There were no girls teams near me.”

Jude Bellingham

Football

Real Madrid star, England, Champions League winner

Started atAge 4

FromBirmingham

“Birmingham City Academy shaped me. Grassroots football is everything.”

Featured Football Providers

These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.

Better

8397 programmes

Better is the UK's largest charitable social enterprise for leisure, operating over 200 leisure centres, libraries, and children's centres. Activities include swimming lessons, gymnastics, tennis, dance, martial arts, climbing, football, multi-sports, holiday clubs, and more for all ages.

View provider page →

Sample Programmes

Football - LFC Foundation Pre PDP (5 - 7 Years)

📍 BT17 0RL

Ages 5–7

Football - LFC Foundation PDP (Under 11s)

📍 BT17 0RL

Ages 0–10

Football - LFC Foundation PDP (Under13s)

📍 BT17 0RL

Ages 0–12

Places Leisure

6466 programmes

Places Leisure operates over 90 leisure centres across the UK, offering swimming lessons, gymnastics, fitness classes, sports courses, and holiday activities for all ages. Part of Places for People Group.

View provider page →

Sample Programmes

Football - Football 6 to 12 Years

📍 B11 4EA

ClubHub UK

2625 programmes

ClubHub UK is a directory of children's activities, classes and clubs across the UK. Founded in 2016, it helps millions of parents discover trusted activities for their children.

View provider page →

Sample Programmes