table of contents...3.14 your profile photo.....3 -50 how to write a football cv for your child...

Table of contents

INTRO .................................................................................................................................. 1-3

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK .................................................................................................... 1-3

WHO ARE PLAYERSCOUT? ................................................................................................. 1-5

PLAYERSCOUT CONTENT INCLUDES: ................................................................................. 1-6

Your Football CV Explained ................................................................................................ 1-9

How To Write Your Football CV .........................................................................................2-15

HOW TO WRITE YOUR FOOTBALL CV ................................................................................3-25

3.1 Contact Details ............................................................................................. 3-25

3.2 Player Profile ................................................................................................... 3-27

3.3 Vital Statistics .................................................................................................. 3-28

3.4 Current Season Statistics .............................................................................. 3-32

3.5 Key skills ........................................................................................................... 3-32

3.6 PLAYER ATTRIBUTES ........................................................................................ 3-35

3.7 PLAYER POSITIONS ......................................................................................... 3-35

3.8 Playing history ................................................................................................ 3-44

3.9 Football Experience ...................................................................................... 3-45

3.10 Educational qualifications ........................................................................ 3-45

3.11 Nutrition, Fitness & Agility Training ............................................................ 3-46

3.12 Interests ........................................................................................................ 3-46

3.13 References .................................................................................................. 3-49

3.14 Your Profile Photo ....................................................................................... 3-50

HOW TO WRITE A FOOTBALL CV FOR YOUR CHILD ........................................................4-53

Football CV Covering Letter .............................................................................................5-55

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO .......................................................................6-58

HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT FOOTBALL CV – Edition 5

Copyright ©2018 Playerscout.co.uk 2

FOOTBALL SPECIFIC LINKEDIN PROFILES ...........................................................................7-62

Approaching Clubs with Your Football CV .....................................................................9-79

Using your football CV to boost your confidence ...................................................... 10-82

MESSAGE FROM THE PLAYERSCOUT .............................................................................. 10-86

COPYRIGHT .................................................................................................................... 10-87



INTRODUCTION

There are over 270 million people playing football worldwide. That is over a quarter of a

billion players with dreams of making it in the professional game. This huge amount of

potential talent means that quality can often slip through the net. Or even go unnoticed by

professional recruiters.

The main reason for this is that players are not the right fit or a player of similar ability has

taken a more proactive approach. Leaving the 'waiting to be discovered' footballers with

little hope of progressing.

To add salt to the wound, there is little guidance available for players who want to attract

scouts. That is why we decided on this book. It is the first book of its kind, aimed at helping

you create the perfect football CV and Online profile. Ensuring you stand the best chance

of getting noticed by scouts.

With step-by-step advice for each part of your football CV. This book will help you get a

positive reaction from football recruiters. By the end of the book, you will understand the

scouting process and how to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Not only will you learn how to make a winning football CV, but you will also learn:

· The best positional attributes to highlight in your football CV. Including the buzzwords

that football scouts look for.

· How to write an engaging cover letter (with template)

· How to make a highlights video

· How to create an online profile on LinkedIn

· How to approach a football club

· How to overcome rejection and setbacks

We even explain how to write your child's football CV without appearing too pushy. This is a

massive turn off for scouts. But first off will explain how to get the best out of this book...



HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

We have broken down the steps needed to make a winning football CV into dedicated

chapters. Each chapter has its own steps, summary, and task. This will allow you to collate

important information as work through the book. The chapter summaries are a great

resource to revisit at a later date in your football career.

The Exercises Each exercise helps you think more about yourself. Identifying your unique personality and

playing style. The results will then create your football CV, highlights video and online

profile.

This will help you understand the player you are. Then communicate this on your football

CV with confidence and clarity.

As your understanding develops, we will help you position yourself. By reflecting your profile

which will leave an everlasting image in the scout mind. A strong self-profile will increase a

scouts excitement. This is the first step in getting scouted/a trial/a contract.

To gain the most from this book, it is important to take your time on each section. You may

need to revisit and add to the tasks as you progress through the chapters. This is normal and

will help you create a more rounded image of yourself.

A career in football awaits you; it’s now up to you to apply the following advice to get the

scouts attention. This is where it all starts! Good luck and remember to reach out and ask us

questions if you get stuck. We are available 24/7 on: Twitter (@PlayerScoutUK) Facebook

(@PlayerScoutUK) Instagram (@player_scout) and online in our forum

(www.PlayerScout.co.uk ).

http://www.playerscout.co.uk/



WHO ARE PLAYERSCOUT?

PlayerScout are a team of football experts made up of:

1. Sports Nutritionists

2. Sports conditioning coaches

3. Sport psychologists

4. Football Scouts

5. Physiotherapists

6. Football Coaches

7. Football Agents

Our sole purpose is to advise players on all areas of football development. In order to

develop grassroots talent and support the Premier League’s EPPP (Elite Player Performance

Plan).



PLAYERSCOUT CONTENT INCLUDES:

Football Nutrition Providing the latest sports nutrition advice. Including:

• The ideal footballers’ diet

• Meal plans

• Hydration tips

• Nutrient timing advice

• Dietary supplements to improve your performance

• Weight management in football

Football Training Individual training and recovery tips to help you improve all aspect of your game.

How to Get Scouted The processes behind professional scouting. Tips on how to improve your chances of

getting scouted and impressing at football trials.

Football Psychology Strategies to improve your mental strength. Helping you to reach optimal performance

levels and cope in all situations both on and off the pitch.



Our Mission

To provide top of the game advice on how to become a professional footballer. Focusing on science-backed information that develops your body, gameplay and mindset.

We come to work every day to help players maximize their full potential within football.

There is no one size fits all solution to becoming a professional football player. But, we aim

to provide the information needed to improve your chances of playing at the highest level.

Throughout the history of football, coaches have used proven experience to develop

players. But the increase in pressure has made it harder for first team managers to play

younger players. There is now a lack of patience in allowing players to mature and gain

confidence.

Our aim is to make professional football development as transparent as possible. Offering

players from all backgrounds the chance to improve their game at home. Ensuring

professional training techniques are available to everyone. Not only the 12,500 academy

players already in the system.

We encourage you to use the resources in this book to give yourself the opportunities you

deserve. And remember if you have any comments or further questions visit us

online: www.PlayerScout.co.uk

“Only 0.5% of U9’s at top academy clubs will

develop into first team players.”

http://www.plyerscout.co.uk/



What is a Football CV?

Your Football CV Explained

No matter what level of football you play, at some point you are certain to need a football

CV. Whether you're approaching a pro club or looking for an agent, you won't get far

without one.

1.1 Who Needs a Football CV?

Football is a £4 Billion business, but if you strip back all the thrills and spills the main product is

the players.

Think about it… we follow players on social media to get an insight into their lives. We buy

replica shirts with our favourite players printed on the back. We buy their autobiographies

and follow their progress through the club media team. If a player is out or injured, we worry

it will affect the team. But when the players are fit, we feel confident in our club. All football

players that have made it to the highest level are brands. Their presence and celebrity

status gives off a persona. Sometimes this can be positive and sometimes this can be

negative.

Your job as a football player is to realise that you are also a brand. You represent your

personal brand at all times. Whether in training, matches, when speaking to coaches or

expressing yourself on Twitter. Every interaction you have is a chance to give a positive or

negative impression of yourself.

So you need to learn how to give off the perception of a person/player/personality that a

coach wants in their team. Your aim when approaching a recruiter is to sell your skills,

experience, and personality. So no matter how good a 'product' you are on the pitch,

much of your future success depends on how you market yourself.

One of the best tools a player can use to market themselves is a Curriculum Vitae or CV for

short.



1.2 Your Football CV should work for you

The purpose of a football CV is to provide a snapshot of yourself with the intent of capturing

the scout’s interest and securing a trial. The information you provide should include:

• Personal profile and details such as: name, contact, address, age

(So they can contact you and understand your basic information)

• Football Playing Experience & History

(To assess your commitment, current level and the amount of structured training you

have received to date.)

• Skills

(To understand what you consider being your strength as a player)

• Education

(So they know your achievements away from football as this tells a lot about your

personality)

• Interests and hobbies

(To understand more about your character)

• Football references

(To investigate your history)

Consider your Football CV as a document that highlights your skills, experience and

achievements. Presented in a way that motivates scouts to want to watch you play.

But remember...

Your football CV will not get you a contract. Its intention is to make the scout aware of your

talent. Thus, creating opportunities such as a scout visit or an invite to trial.



1.3 Your Football CV is your personal Marketing leaflet

Football is a competitive industry, so standing out from the crowd is important.

Creating your own football CV gives you full control. You can choose the information you

want the scout to know. Plus you are able to create a look and feel that shows off your

personality and professionalism. Designing a football CV allows you to:



• Structure a layout you are happy with

• Determine how long the football CV is

• Decide what info should and should not appear on your CV

Remember...

Professional football clubs are bombarded with football CV's on a daily basis. So your CV

must GRAB their attention.

1.4 Football CV Guidelines to remember

You should aim to do all the work for the clubs recruitment team. Make it easy to scan and

find your key information and achievements. Guidelines to stick to are:

• Be truthful throughout. Conflicting information sends mixed messages and makes

your CV untrustworthy.

• Sell your achievements

• Ensure the content applies to football

• Highlight any relevant skills you have developed away from football. Some life skills

are transferable to a football field, so it's beneficial to list them.

1.5 Understanding Yourself as a Football Player

How can you sell yourself to recruiters if you do not know your best attributes?

It’s important to remember that every player is different. And although you may see

yourself as a right back, there is a unique combination of skills that only you have.

Therefore, do not simply state you're a right back. Instead highlight the skills that make you

a great right back.



Players often see themselves as one of the following:

• Goalkeeper

• Full Back

• Central Defender

• Central Midfielder

• Winger

• Striker

But, when creating a football CV you need to concentrate on what you do and not what

you are called.

It's good practice to assess your own game. Take a scouts view and work out the wide

range of football specific skills you possess. More on this later.

1.6 The Main Reasons Football CV's Get Rejected

On average, a football recruiter spends around 20 seconds reading your football CV. They

will skim through looking for key skills and areas of interest to them. This will lead to one of

three possible outcomes:

1. The recruiter will either send a scout to watch you play or contact you to arrange a

trial

2. The recruiter will keep your football CV on file for when they need more players with

your skillset

3. They decide you do not interest them and delete or bin your CV, often without

feedback or notice

There are many reasons a clubs recruitment team may not be interested in offering you a

trial. Below we have listed the most common:



• Your football CV may not have reached the recruiter. Some clubs have admin staff

who complete the initial screening

• Your CV may not have reached anyone if the address was incorrect

• The content of your CV may have given mixed messages

• The content of your CV may not have been good enough

• Your CV may have been too long

• Your CV may have had incorrect information

• Your CV may have been irrelevant to the current needs of the club

• Your CV may have had spelling mistakes or been poorly presented

• The poor layout may have made it difficult for the clubs recruiter to understand

• Your CV may have arrived at the wrong time

• The recruitment team received too many CV's and could not read yours

• The club already had enough cover for your position

We can’t stress enough the volume of applicants that clubs receive each week. So it’s

important that you get it right first time and avoid any pitfalls within your control. Show your

skill, show your dedication and show your belief.



How to Write Your Football CV

Football is a unique industry with specific requirements. How you present yourself on your

CV will open doors to football trials and scout visits. By the end of this book, you will have

mastered your football CV. This highlights to scouts how serious you are about a career in

football. Below are the areas of your CV we will cover in depth:

1 Contact Details

What contact details to use and how to list them

2 Player Profile

How you describe yourself as a footballer in one sentence

3 Vital Statistics

Presenting your personal attributes

4 Current Season Stats

How to display your current stats to make scouts take notice

5 Personal Highlight Video

How to showcase your talent on video

6 Key Skills

Your strongest player attributes to sell yourself as a stand out candidate

7 Playing History

How to list your playing history; what to include and what not to include

8 Playing Experience

How to describe your footballing experience to date

9 Educational Qualifications

How to list where you studied, what you studied and your results



10 Nutrition, Fitness & Agility

Ideas on how to build nutrition, fitness and agility into your CV

11 Interests

What to put in your personal interests section

12 Referees

Who to list for references and why

13 Your photograph

How to add a professional image with a personal photo

Before opening your CV Template that accompanies this book, you should complete

following task. Grab a pen and paper, and find a quiet spot.



TASK 1: ASSESSING YOUR PERSONAL & FOOTBALL SKILLS

Why this task? Football academies aim to produce footballers who are well rounded in

all areas and not just on the training pitch. Therefore you need to identify

your own skills both in football and away from football. This will highlight

the skills and abilities you believe you possess.

Instructions 1. Understanding your People Skills

Using the table on the next page, write down all the people skills that you feel you

possess and an example of when you have demonstrated this skill. These can either

be from the list we have provided, or include others that you have thought of.

2. Understanding your Football Skills

Carry out the same exercise for your list of Football skills.

Top Tip At this stage you can aim to have as little of as many skills in each list as you like. The

important factor is to feel that every aspect of your personality is represented in some way

through the 2 lists.



Understanding Your People Skills A great sense of humour Active listening skills Awareness of body language Flexibility Genuine interest in others Good judgment Good manners Honesty Leadership skills Knowing how and when to show empathy Patience with others Proactive problem solving Strong communication skills The ability to be supportive and motivate others The ability to keep an open mind The ability to persuade others The ability to relate to others The ability to trust others

Your People Skill

Example of when you demonstrated this skill



Understanding your Football Specific Skills Anticipation Attention Attitude Awareness Ball Retention Ball Winning Commitment Communication Control Covering of Angles Defending Desire Dribbling Ability Endurance Engine Forward Movement Game Knowledge Heading Hold Up Play Intelligence Leadership Link Up Play Motivation Movement Organisation Pace Passing Short/Long Passion Physique Positional Play Power Reading the Game Running Power Running with the ball Shooting Stamina Strength Tackling Technical Ability Touch Vision Work-rate Your Football Skill

Example of when you demonstrated this skill



TASK 2: ASSESSING YOUR PAST ACHIEVEMENTS

Why this task? One of the hardest things for players is to realise how much they have

already achieved on and off the pitch. Many players take for granted

their previous success, because this are so focused on their goals. This

task will help you to identify your main achievements.

Instructions This task will help you identify achievements in three areas of your life:

1. Work/School

2. Football (sport)

3. Home

Answer the questions on the next page to complete the task

Top Tip If you find it hard to think of examples, ask your family and friends for their input. Often

another person may recognise your achievements better than you. From there you may

also be able to think of more. Put down all of them no matter how small and you can select

our favourite at the end.



1. Work/School Achievements

In the last 3 years, which of your achievements has given you the most satisfaction?

Work/School Achievement

Example of the skills you demonstrated in making this achievement

EXAMPLE: Went up a class in

maths

Got a grade higher than I had achieved in the past



2. Football (Sports) Achievements In the last 3 years, which of your achievements has given you the most satisfaction?

Football (Sports) Achievement


EXAMPLE: Made a Personal Best Improved my fitness by 8% on the buzz test

3.



3. Home Achievements In the last 3 years, which of your achievements has given you the most satisfaction?

Home Achievement


EXAMPLE: Completed a ½

Marathon

In an effort to improve my overall fitness I trained for

a half marathon and completed it in under 2 hours.



CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations, you have now completed the TASKS 1 & 2. Put these to one side and

continue working through the book. We will come back to your answers later.

HOW TO WRITE YOUR FOOTBALL CV

TASK 3: WRITING YOUR CV

Instructions Open the Football CV Template that accompanied this eBook and

begin working through each section using the below advice.

3.1 Contact Details

The first part of your football CV is your contact details. These must be listed at the top of

the page. We have seen countless football CV’s with incorrect or no contact details. This is

a waste of time for both you and the recruiter.

It's best to use separate lines for each form of contact so a scout can find them easily. You

will need to add:

• Address (This is very important. Professional clubs receive 100’s of CV’s each week

from all over the globe. Many players are scouted from overseas, however there are

advantages for home grown talent, from a cost saving and club credibility

perspective. So either way the recruiter needs to know where you are located).

• Mobile or Landline Number (Youth players under 15 years must by law add their

parent or guardians contact details)

• Email address

• Nationality (Your nationality is important since the dynamic of a team are essential

for success. If a team has recruited a player with a particular background, they may

be keen to have other players from that background to help the team as a whole

settle. Be proud of your nationality and add it to your CV)



• YouTube Channel Link (we will discuss this later, but as soon as you have highlights

videos to share, it’s important you add the link on your CV)

• LinkedIn Link (This will also be covered later in the book)

TIP: A silly or inappropriate email address can affect your chances of being picked. It’s

quick and easy to set up an email address. So create one that shows you are serious about

being selected. It will give off a better first impression.

Parents with children under 16 must add their own contact details due to the Child Working

Law guidelines and best practice around the safeguarding of children. A club will always

use these details to converse with a parent or legal guardian of any player under 16.

If you fall into this category, you need to add the contact information with your own name

and your relationship to the player in brackets. For example:

m:07711 584735 | e:[email protected] | nationality: British

Would become:

m:07711 584735 |e:[email protected] (Dave Falkner, Father) | nationality: British

Example of completed contact details



3.2 Player Profile

The player profile is your chance to highlight why the recruiter cannot miss the chance to

sign you.

It's a summary of the player you believe you are and your football experience to date. This

is also the only part of your football CV that is opinion based. All other opinion based

information will appear on your covering letter.

So the player profile is your chance to show your enthusiasm, drive and playing career to

date.

But remember... Keep it simple!

It's important not to waffle in your profile. Keep it concise and steer clear of unnecessary

information. Aim for around 45-65 words or 2 sentences.

Your player profile should:

• Summarise your football experience

• Showcase your unique selling points

• Highlight your main skills

• Describe the type of player you are and your favoured positions

It's also a space to let your prospective coach know why are you are looking to move

clubs. Below are examples of a good and bad player profile.

Notice how the good example uses football specific terminology. Summarizing the player’s

experience and his awareness of different styles of football. The example also demonstrates

his tactical football mind.

The poor example does not use confident statements, is long-winded and vague. It focuses

on the player wanting to improve rather than showing what they can bring to the team.



Example of a good Profile

I am a centre back with 3 years

leadership experience in all aspects of

football, specifically defensive and

organisational responsibilities. My main

skills are ball distribution, aerial ability and

vision.

This season I captained my team to

winning the PlayStation Schools Cup. I

have a strict training and nutrition routine

to development my game and am now

looking for a new challenge to take my

career forward.

Example of a poor Profile

I am a keen footballer with 3 years’

experience playing football and 1 years’

experience in captaining the team. I like

to play up front and have helped my

team win many matches including a

county schools cup. I work hard to

motivate my team and take my training

seriously, and am looking for a club

where I can develop further. I play

football every in school and also on the

weekend for my club. I want to play for

your club as I want to be a professional

footballer when I am older. Can you

please give me a trial so I can join your

team?

3.3 Vital Statistics

The vital statistics section of your CV highlights your physical measurements, and

accolades. Your vital statistics are made up of:

Physical Statistics: Date of Birth (D.O.B.) Position

Height Footed (left/right/both)

Weight Languages spoken

Accolades: Teams Biggest Record

Trophies / Awards Previous Tournaments



3.3.1 Physical Statistics

It is important to list physical information such as height, weight or preferred foot. Recruiters

are often tasked with finding specific players to fit the manager’s needs, so make it easy for

them. If you don’t list the information, they might discard your application because they

don’t have time to ask, when a different player may have listed the information they were

looking for.

Your physical statistics give them a sign of your suitability. So if you can play well with both

feet, then say so. Not only will it improve your chances, it also demonstrates your versatility.

(But, make sure you are truthful, as recruiters may speak to your current coaches and

teachers.)

Scouts will assess characteristics depending on the position they are looking to fill. For

example:

Goalkeepers need to be tall, with a great positioning and catching ability.

Central Defenders need to be tall and strong with explosive power to out jump attackers.

Wing backs need to be quick and with high cardio-vascular levels.

Your preferred foot often indicates which side of the pitch you play on. If you are strong on

both feet, this can make you appear more versatile. Scouts are often keen to find a two

footed player as very few players have this ability.

3.3.2 Trophies, Awards & Tournaments

This part of your football CV is your chance to show off all your football accolades. Any league or cup tournaments you’ve won, teams you’ve played for and any personal trophies you’ve received.

Teams List all of the teams that you have played for, and the years in which you played. An

example of how best to list your previous and current teams would be:

• Southampton FC U18 (2014-current)

• Reading FC U16 (2012-2013)



• Reading FC Academy (2005-2011)

Trophies / Awards Team and individual awards are important to share. Examples may be:

• Club Captain (2011, 2012, 2013)

• Man of the match (4 - 2011/12, 3 -2012/13, 5 - 2013/14)

• Recognised from teams mate: Players player of the season

• Winners or losing finalists in a cup tournament

• Number of appearances

• County League representative

• Languages you speak.

It's important to list any languages you speak. This is a powerful sign to a coach of cultural

similarities they may be looking for. If you are from another country, the coaches will assess

how easy it will be for you to adapt. And language can be a major barrier.

You must be able to understand the training sessions and communicate with team mates.

If you speak many languages (more than 2) then list the level that you consider yourself in

this language. For example: native, fluent, intermediate, novice. If you have any language

qualifications make sure you list them. This acts as powerful evidence to support your

claims.

Each club has a limited amount of places they can offer to foreign players. So it is

important that you can highlight your adaptability. The challenge as a foreign player is that

the recruiting scout will opt for a smooth transition. So a home grown player with the same

level of skill may be a less risky option. Your CV will need to show a higher level of

competency than others in your age group from the host country.

Previous Tournaments Always list cups and tournaments in date order, with the most recent first. Keep the list to a

maximum of 5. This will ensure you only list the most important moments of your football

career. If you have played many times in the same tournament list the years for each time

you played in it. For example:



• Cheshire Schools Football League Cup Winners (2011, 2014, 2015)

Best Achievement or Record Your personal achievements help you to stand out from other players, and have a real

impact on selection. Therefore they should appear prominently in the vital statistics table of

your CV.

An example of a personal best achievement in football might be:

• Player of the Season

• How many times you’ve been awarded ‘Man of the Match’

• Goal Scoring/Assist record (or clean sheet records for defenders or goalkeeper)

Example of a good Vital Statistics summary



3.4 Current Season Statistics

Your current season stats show the recruiter your abilities regardless of your team’s league

position. These mirror the stats collected in a professional player performance analysis, so

will be familiar to a recruiter. They include:

• Games played

• Goals scored

• Assists created

• Yellow cards received (Career to date)

• Red cards received (Career to date)

Example of a clear Season Statistics summary

3.5 Key skills

Now its time to gather your notes from TASK 1 and TASK 2. We will use them to help build up

your key skill section of your CV.

Consider the key skills section as a summary of your best qualities, strengths and sporting

achievements. This is your chance to demonstrate your awareness of the game to the

recruiter.



Why is the Key Skills section so important? Think how often you hear statistics used in the media to describe a players abilities?

Statistics that impress, add value to person or product, and help to authenticate or prove

the worthiness of the subject.

There are several major benefits to including key skills in your CV:

• This section is often missed on Football CV’s so by including a strong set of key skills

you already stand out to a recruiter

• Listing your key skills tells the recruiter that you are confident in what you have to

offer. Some players list that they can play everywhere, but by listing specific key skills

you highlight your profile as a player

• It's a great way to showcase your abilities. Facts don't lie!

• It helps you demonstrate individuality

Step 1 Taking your achievements from TASK 1 & 2, list your key achievements in bullet points. Start

with your most impressive at the top. Use any examples you had written to support the

achievement. List only the facts that back up the claim, not full sentences.

Remember that this list needs to reflect your true personality and also remain short so that it

is easy to scan for busy scouts.

You should end up with a fairly long list of up to 10 items. We will shorten it but for now keep

the list as it is.

Step 2 It’s now time to add more statistics to your key skill list. These will help build the profile you

are building by adding in your player attributes.

This enables the recruiter to assess how you might fit into their team. A coach will look for

different qualities from their current playing squad. Then highlight any gaps they need to fill.

So, be honest about your skill level, as if you lie, you will get found out at trials.

A good tip is to use statistics that can easily be quantified. For example, instead of listing

‘great agility' or 'high jump height', try listing:

• 18.1 seconds in the Illinois Agility Test



• 85% success rate on 1v1 situations

• Vertical Jump Test height - 57cm

• Squat – 1.5 times own body weight

• Multi Stage Bleep Test- 13.2

• Average 7.1km travelled per game this season

• Recorded 100 meter in 13.4 seconds

• Strong upper body with a bench press one rep max of 95kg

You can also list unquantifiable information if it shows good versatility:

• Comfortable dribbling with both feet

• First choice penalty taker with 7 out of 7 scored over the past two seasons

• Ability to shoot first time off both feet

Example of a completed Key Skills summary



3.6 PLAYER ATTRIBUTES

First impressions are everything, especially in football where competition for places is high.

You aren't competing with the best in the UK anymore. Now clubs have international

scouting networks. Plus the rise in social media means scouting across the globe has

become the norm.

There are many standout positional attributes that recruiters look for. Consider yourself as a

product. Decide what kind of player you are and communicate this by the attributes you

list.

Below are the attributes associated with the world’s best players in each position. Use the

suggestions as prompts to add to your CV.

Scouts know of these qualities. So make sure you highlight them on your football CV, but

only if they relate to your game. This will show you understand your role within your team

and that you are an expert in your position.

Top Tip

Use a max of 5 player attributes. Any more will clutter your CV and detract from your key

strengths. Every attribute you list should highlight your skill set and playing style.

3.7 PLAYER POSITIONS

1 Goalkeepers 2 Fullbacks / Wingbacks 3 Central Defenders 4 Defensive Midfielder 5 Central Midfielder 6 Advanced Playmaker 7 Wingers / Wide Midfielders 8 Centre Forwards



3.7.1 Goalkeepers

Long gone are the days when a top goalkeeper is just

a shot-stopper. Nowadays the trusted number one

must be as good with their feet as they are with their

hands. Nowadays a keeper must have the game

awareness to dictate the play. Understanding when

to find an open player and when to clear the ball

long.

Key attributes for a Goalkeepers CV: • Aerial agility and ability to command area

• Communication and Organisation of the defence

• Handling Skills

• First touch and Kicking with distance and accuracy

• Comfortable in One on One situations

• Reflexes and Long Throw

• Anticipation, Decision Making and Positioning



3.7.2 Fullbacks/Wingbacks

The modern day fullback must be as adequate in the

attacking third as they are in defence. Supporting wide

midfielders with over lapping runs, the full back must

also have great crossing abilities. One of the fittest and

fastest players. This player has the pace to attack and

mark pacey wingers when defending.

Key attributes for a Fullbacks / Wingbacks CV: • Speed and Acceleration

• High levels of concentration with the ability to anticipate pending attacking threats

from opposition and opportunities to support attacking team mates

• The ability to deliver direct passes and crosses with accuracy

• Great tackling and marking ability when defending



3.7.3 Central Defenders

Central defender are responsible for stopping the

attacking team from creating chances. Centre

backs must show composure when defending to

regain possession and then try to instigate counter

attacks.

Key attributes for a Central Defenders CV:

• Good vertical jump power and heading ability

• Strong tackling and marking

• Composure to pass out of defence when appropriate

• Concentration and Anticipation to allow for good decision making

• A strong understanding of positioning and a high degree of strength and bravery

• Off the mark acceleration, balance and agility



3.7.4 Defensive Midfielder

Defensive midfielders cover the creative minded

players when in possession of the ball. And close

down opponents early, to protect the defence

when not in possession. They also need to dictate

the pace of the game, and slow down the ball to

allow the defence and attack to re-organise.

Key attributes for a Defensive Midfielders CV: • High levels of aggression and determination, with a good work rate

• The composure to slow down the play when needed

• High concentration levels

• A strong understanding of positioning and a high degree of strength, with good

tackling ability

• Off the mark acceleration, balance and agility are also key in this area

• Great stamina to keep up with play and control the centre of the pitch



3.7.5 Central Midfielder

Central Midfielders provide a hardworking and

adaptable link between the defence and attack.

They have excellent tactical awareness. Which

allows them to perform many essential tasks

throughout the middle of the pitch.

Key attributes for a Central Midfielders CV: • High levels of aggression and determination, with a good work rate

• High concentration levels to allow for good decision making

• Great technique and first touch control

• Ability to perform short and long passing accurately

• Great stamina to ensure they can travel from box to box, for the duration of the

match



3.7.6 Advanced Playmaker

Also known as the modern day number 10, this

player operates behind the central striker.

Dropping into pockets of space between the

oppositions defence and midfield. This player is

able to quickly turn defence into attack and spot

gaps in the opposing defence.

Key attributes for a Fullback CV: • A lot of natural flair, with a great first touch and array of passing

• Very composed, with the vision to assess any game play situation

• High degree of technique which allows him to dictate the tempo of the game

• High concentration levels to allow for good decision making



3.7.7 Wingers / Wide Midfielders

The winger/wide midfielder is often the most

technically gifted and pacey players on a team.

They have the ability to beat their opposite

number. And pick out attacking players in

dangerous positions. Often confident with both

feet, they are able to cut in and shoot, or go wide

around the defender.

Key attributes for a Winger/Wide Midfielder CV: • Great top speed and acceleration to get into attacking positions

• Confident shooting and crossing with both feet

• Enjoys dribbling with the ball and beating players, with a high degree of technical

ability

• Anticipates when to stay wide or when to support the striker in the oppositions box

• The ability to deliver direct passes and crosses with accuracy



3.7.8 Centre Forwards

The centre forward must have the ability to

defend from the front. Whilst also having the

energy to get in the box and remain composed

to convert goal scoring opportunities. Often

marked by two powerful centre backs, they must

have the strength to hold the ball up and bring

other technical players into play. Heading ability

is important for this position, whether flicking the

ball on, or heading for goal. A complete centre

forward is very hard to find, hence why they are

so well paid.

Key attributes for a Centre Forwards CV: • High off the mark acceleration and reactions to respond to through balls and loose

balls in the penalty area

• Confident shooting with power or finesse

• Ability to lose marker and run in behind the defence

• Anticipate defence and goalkeeper mistakes to create opportunities to score



3.8 Playing history

The playing history section needs to list all the football teams you have played for. Start with

the most recent and include the dates you played for each team. This gives the scout an

insight into the different types of coaching you may have received in the past. Recruiters

want to see continuous football rather than one year of great achievements.

This must include any teams you played for at school or college. Also list your position for

each team that you played in, and the responsibilities you had in this team, such as:

• Captain

• Corner Taker

• Penalty Taker

If you held any records at this team, then list them. For example:

• Goal scoring

• Assists

• Appearances

If you play many positions this may improve your chances of success. But, listing too many

positions can seem unbelievable. Or that you don’t know who you are as a player and

haven't yet mastered a position.

PlayerScout Tip: List a max of three positions if you need to list more than one.



3.9 Football Experience

If you studied sport at school/college, then list this under football experience. This is also the

place to list any football specific courses, clubs or summer camps you attended. Scouts are

looking to see that you love the game and live for football. Extracurricular activities

communicate this.

3.10 Educational qualifications

It's important to list your educational qualifications on your football CV. Consistent grades

alongside strong football progression shows a great deal about your character.

Recruiters can tell a lot about a player from their qualifications. So, not including them on

your CV can put you at a disadvantage. List your education, but keep it short as this is a

football CV, not an academic CV.

Only include the grade, course and institution. For example:

Distinction, BTEC ND Sports Science (Filton Sports College, Bristol, 2014)

10 x GCSE's A-C (St Anne’s Secondary School, Hertfordshire, 2013)

For players yet to pass any qualifications, it's important to list your school. Recruiters may

know the quality of sporting education offered at local schools. Plus is shows you are local

to the club, as lengthy travel can be tiring.



3.11 Nutrition, Fitness & Agility Training

This section is often overlooked by many football hopefuls. This is a huge mistake.

It’s important to show on your CV that you take all areas of football seriously. Giving your

mind and body the best opportunity to succeed and perform.

Showing you understand nutrition and self-assessment are signs of your commitment.

In this section list anything you do to improve on a regular basis:

• Your nutritional routine and diet

• Your personal fitness training routine (workouts and conditioning)

For more information on how to eat like a professional footballer check out our football

nutrition section at playerscout.co.uk/footballers-diet/

3.12 Interests

A coach is always looking to answer the question ‘Can this player do the job for the team?’

They use your personal skills and experience to find the answer. However there is another

vital question that a coach is needing to know, and this is: ‘Will the player fit in?’

Listing your hobbies and interests communicates your personality and helps steer a coach

to answering this. Therefore, you need to list interests that will help the coach see that you

would be an asset to the team.

Other reasons for including hobbies and interests are:

• They help to create a picture of you as a person

• They highlight any achievements or skills developed outside of football

• They may form discussion points for the scout



TASK 4: WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS

Why this task? Answering these question will help you identify your main interests and

consider how they reflect on your image.

Instructions To get a better understanding of your interests, answer the following questions:

1 What do I enjoy doing most in my spare time away from football?

2 What other sports to I play or watch?

3 What clubs or committee’s am I a member of?

4 What skills or interests am I developing at school or university

5 What did I do last weekend? What am I planning on doing this weekend?

6 What activities do I like to do on my own?

7 What activities do I like to do with others?

Top Tip Keep your interests on one line. It’s an important part to include, but you don’t want it to

take up valuable CV space.

Also be aware of the following:

• Not to include too many interests. The scout may wonder if you have the time or

focus to concentrate on progressing within football

• Not to lie to impress a football scout in case you are asked about it at a later date

• Not to include inappropriate interests



3.12.1 What your interests say about you Remember the main aim of your CV is to sell yourself. This should be reflected in your

choice of interest and hobbies. Below are some examples of possible interests and a

benefit that a scout may draw from it.

Your Interest

Impression this may give about you

Cycling The player enjoys keeping fit

Cooking and Nutrition The player understands the important of a good diet

Socialising with friend and family This player is likely to be a good team player

Now try this exercise out for yourself. Jot down some of your interests, and ask yourself what

impression will this give a scout?

Your Interest

Impression this may give about you



3.13 References

It is important to add referral contacts to your football CV. But only list a max of 2 people.

They should both know you in a football capacity. For example your current football coach

or your P.E teacher.

References are useful as football is a close-knit industry. Recruiters may already know your

referees and trust their opinion, so feel confident they can trust any feedback from them.

It helps to use referees that have a good reputation, as it can demonstrate that you have

already received a good standard of coaching.

If you have space, you can even add a testimonial quote from a coach or manager

directly on your CV describing the type of player you are.

When listing referee’s include:

• Capacity in which they know you

• Referee’s full name

• Referee’s email

• Referee’s telephone (some referees ask only that you give an email address so they

don’t get unknown calls, so always respect their wishes)

Example of typical Reference

NOTE: Always check with your references before you add them to your CV. It’s the polite

thing to do.



3.14 Your Profile Photo

Your photo is a very important part of your football CV. You can use it to demonstrate your

character and professionalism for the game. Use the following tips to take a photo that will

work wonders for your CV. The effort you put into your photo will pay off.

• Use a recent photo from the last 6 months

• Use a clearly taken photo of you that isn't blurred or with bad lighting. You smart

phone should take high quality photos. However use a compact camera or editing

somewhere to brighten the image if not.

• Use a photo that shows you looking straight into the camera, smiling or straight

faced. Avoid any poses that make you look over confident or arrogant.

• Wear sportswear to help build your image as a professional player. Do not use a

group photo with friends or out socialising. Remember this is a professional football

CV and the recipients are looking for someone that looks committed and serious

about playing sport.

Pick either a head profile or full body action shot in a football situation. It is important to

show the recruitment panel how healthy and athletic you are.

Examples of a good football CV photo would be:

• A head and shoulder close up of you in your playing kit with a pitch background

• A full length shot of you in action during game play

• A full length shot of you on the pitch warming up or jogging

• A full length shot of you on a training pitch



TASK 5: THE CV TEST

Why this task? Coaches and Scouts are very busy people. To give yourself the best

possible chance of success test your CV with real people for feedback

first.

Instructions 1. Give a printed copy of your football CV to 5 people, each for 20 seconds, then take

the CV away from them.

2. Now ask the person what they saw and the information they had gained about you

from the CV. Hearing this back will help you to see if you have successfully created a

CV that represents your profile, or if you need to re-jig and re-work some of the

content until they see the player you are trying to communicate.

Top Tip Try asking people that are not too close to your football playing activity already. This will

ensure they are not giving their own opinion instead of what you've listed on the CV.



CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations, you have now successfully written your Football CV. This is a huge task

completed, well done! Now put to one side and continue working through the book to

complete your highlights video and online profile.

HOW TO WRITE A FOOTBALL CV FOR YOUR CHILD

Parents writing a football-specific CV on behalf of a child should discuss each section with

their child. This encourages the player's input and allows them to recall and reflect on their

achievements. Also, when asked any questions about their CV, they are able to answer

with confidence.

Recruiters are aware that parents help to articulate their child's skills. But if it is too polished

they will question the truth of what is written on paper. This could have a negative effect on

your child’s progression.

There is nothing more off putting than a pushy parent. So don't push so hard that you ruin

your child's chances. Be honest and let your child’s football do the talking.

Top 5 Tips for writing a football CV for your child:

1. Ask your child what they think their best skills are. Their immediate instincts are often

the truth. So these answers will help shape their CV in a voice that shows your child

has had input.

2. Make sure whatever you are writing is believable. Don't over sell your child's ability.

For example an 8 year old it is unlikely to sprint 100 meters in sub 10 seconds. But, if

they can, make sure you add it to your highlight video.

3. Try not to make a football CV so polished that it appears to be written by an expert.

Coaches and managers see through this & will question the truth behind the

content.

4. Ensure your child is happy with all the content you have written.

5. Be prepared that recruiters will talk to your child about their experience, so it’s

important that your child's answer is consistent with their CV.



HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Football CV Covering Letter

So, you have now created a perfect football CV that will entice football scouts and

improve your chances of an invitation to trial. It’s now time to plan your covering letter.

Your cover letter should be concise and to the point. It is strictly an introduction to your CV.

The following section can be used as a guide to completing the perfect cover letter. Now

it’s time to open your cover letter template and work start to draft your introduction.

Why do we need a Cover Letter?

It's important to send a cover letter whenever you send a football CV to a club, scout or

agent. The only exception is when an agent is approaching a club on your behalf.

A cover letter introduces you the right way and enables you to use your personality to

elaborate on your skills. By having a cover letter you can:

• Expand on certain points of your football CV

• Improve the impact of your football CV

• Highlight your individual interest in getting a trial or playing for the club

Your football Cover Letter should:

• Include a layout similar to a standard letter (address and contact details in top right

corner etc.)

• Be no more than one A4 page in length

• Be written in first voice so that you don’t sound robotic. Football is a passionate sport,

so try to convey your passion in your letter

• Tell the football scouts why you are contacting them. For example you may be

responding to a trial advert, or requesting a scout visit. Whatever the case, be clear

from the start

• Link your Cover Letter to relevant points/achievements on your Football CV. Rather

than repeating areas of your football CV. It's important to highlight and elaborate



on your most impressive skills and achievements. These will grab the attention on the

recruiters

The most likely outcome of a successful football CV is a visit from a scout. In this situation, a

scout will attend one of your fixtures unannounced and compile a report for the club/s they

represent.

Scouts watch players regularly. However as the nature of scouting is secretive, you will only

find out about a scout visit if your performance leads to a trial or further communication

with the club.

How to End your Cover Letter

How you end your cover letter can have a great impact on the recruiter reading your

football CV. End with a polite and professional statement rather than an abrupt short

sentence. Such as:

'I believe I have the relevant experience and possess the necessary skill

your club requires. I look forward to the opportunity to show my talent

to you.’



HOW TO MAKE YOUR PLAYER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

The easiest way to share your football footage is via your own YOUTUBE channel.

Have you heard the phrase ‘a picture is worth thousand words? Well a video is worth a

thousand pictures. And with the ever increasing rise of YouTube content, particularly in

football, having footage on YouTube will make it easy to send videos to recruiters.

The good news is that it’s very easy to set up an account with YouTUBE, and even easier to

post straight from your phone.

A well edited video is more impactful, but if your resources are limited, a 'one take'

smartphone recorded video posted on your channel is better than no video at all.

To set up a YouTube account visit: www.youtube.com

Once you are set up, it’s time to make your first video.

You can then add the link to your YouTUBE clip or channel onto your football CV.

For example:

http://www.youtube.com/



Watch my latest highlights video: http://www.youtube.com/jermaineloughton

6.1 How to Make a Highlight Video

Creating a highlight video offers a live example of your ability. Ideally, to make a

professional looking highlight video, you will need a lot of footage (a season’s worth of

game is a good start). You will also need:

• Someone to record your games, or get match footage from your coach if available

• Access to a computer and video editing software for editing the video (iMovie or

Windows video editor are the cheapest and simplest method)

• Some music that is royalty free to use on the video helps to make an impact.

YouTube has a library of free music you can download and use. But there isn’t much

variety and you may prefer a more premium quality of music. In this case we

recommend visiting a music buying website such as: soundcloud.com or

premiumbeats.com where tracks can be bought for around £35 each

If you don't have time to create a highlight video you can hire an editor from a freelance

website such a freelancer.com or fiverr.com. If you are supplying the footage and are able

to give example link of highlights videos done well that you like the style of, it may cost you

around £50-£350 depending on the length and amount of effects used.



6.2 Selecting Your Clips

Choosing which clips to use in your highlights video is the most important aspect. Below are

our top tips to help you select your content:

• Total length of the Highlights video to be 1-3 minutes

• No more than 5 clips in 1 highlights video

• Start the video by introducing yourself on screen and telling the viewer your name,

position and any key information you want to the the recruiter know

• Add text with details of your profile stats and any career accolades over the top of

video playing. This adds impact and also provides vital information

• Vary the skills you are highlighting by showcasing a different skill per scene. This will

show the all areas of your playing ability.

• Ensure the skills compliment what you have highlighted on your football CV

• Ensure that your video shows footage of you performing skills specific to your

position. Highlighting to the recruiter you understand what it takes to play in your

position. For example a striker’s highlight video should have clips of:

• Shooting

• Dribbling

• Running off the ball and movement

• Heading

• Hold up play

• One on ones

• Long shots

• Tracking back and closing down defenders



IMPROVE YOUR ONLINE PROFILE WITH LINKEDIN

FOOTBALL SPECIFIC LINKEDIN PROFILES

Many players use LinkedIn as an avenue to network with coaches, players and clubs.

Depending on your age, creating a LinkedIn profile can give you a great online presence.

NOTE: LinkedIn's rule state all profile holders must be 16 or older. Any players under 16 will

need parental guidance.

Thousands of coaches, scouts and footballing professionals also use LinkedIn as their

preferred method of building a network. Whilst it may not seem the most natural place for a

footballer, it is where all the recruiter are accessible. So it’s a no brainer to have a profile

there.

On receiving your application football recruiters may also check your LinkedIn profile for

further information.

Another advantage to creating a LinkedIn page is that very few players are aware of it. So

you will be ahead of the curve and exist in a space with less competition. Giving you an

advantage over other potential trial candidates.

The main benefit of LinkedIn is to create a positive Online image. Allowing you to showcase

your football history and skills. Whilst also receiving endorsements from others in your

network. All of these factors can help influence a scout or recruitment team.

But, creating a profile isn’t as easy as a Facebook or Twitter profile. You must plan each

section to ensure your profile looks professional.

Review the example below of former Dutch international Demy de Zeeuw using LinkedIn to

find a new club.

Here is an example of former Dutch international Demy de Zeeuw using LinkedIn to find a

new club:



HOW TO CREATE YOUR FOOTBALL LINKEDIN PROFILE

Profile Summary The profile summary contains your head image, profile image and headline information.

Take advantage of the profile headline, and make the most of this space, by defining your

key information as a footballer, since it is first point of contact with your profile and the main

the selling point for your profile.



Profile Picture Your profile picture is searchable not only in LinkedIn but also in google, so be sure it is one

that will work in a public space. Text is important, but recruiters like to see what you look like

too. So a professional looking profile picture gives a great first impression. Use the profile

picture from your football CV to add consistency to your image for recruiters.



Personal Statement The personal statement section enables you to give more detail on your current aspirations

as a footballer. Your profile picture is searchable not only on LinkedIn but also on Google,

so be sure to consider this when writing.



Experience Within your experience keep this football related but include everything you have ever

done. Examples of football related experience include:

Clubs you have played for past and present

Tournaments or Cup you have played in past and present

Soccer schools and coaching sessions you have attended

Voluntary positions helping in child football



Education Within your education, you can include all of your educational achievements as even

study away from football demonstrates commitment so is positive for a recruiter. Examples

of education include:

School / College / University qualifications

Certificates in anything from nutrition to sales to even languages

FA related study or certification

Coaching awards



Volunteer Experience When discussing volunteer work, there are some unsaid rules about how best to select what

you publish. Remember the purpose of it and use the below to write your list.



Skills & Endorsements This aspect of your profile is directly linked to networking, and the more you add to the

section the more your profile will appear to your contacts to support and endorse your skills.



Interests Your interests can help to demonstrate that you are pro-active in improving yourself in

football and learning. Use this section to show recruiters how passionate you are about

football.

Follow Professional Teams and Join Groups on LinkedIn. Keep up to date with everything

going on in football to show that you are dedicated.

Accessibility Make your profile accessible for all. Scouts and coaches outside of your network are

unable to see your contact details. Thus adding an email or mobile number to your

summary is important.

Updates Update Weekly if you can but if not at least once per month. Use your profile as a record of

your footballing achievements. Write regular status updates and share interesting football

related content.



Top Tip: Reviewing your matches is a great way to keep your profile fresh and reflect on

your performance.

Grow your connections Connect with as many other professionals as you can to grow your network. Examples of

connection to link up with include:

Other players Coaches Physios Scouts Academy Managers

Customised URL’s Customise your LinkedIn URL. LinkedIn allows you to customise your profile URL. This allows

people to identify you when searching LinkedIn.



How To Clean Your Digital Footprint

Football recruiters know more about you than you think. They know what you got up to last

Friday night, who you spend your time with and what you watched on TV this morning.

How?

Because they checked out your social media after reading through your football CV.

Anything you upload to the internet, a scout can scan in seconds. So it's fair to say your

social media profile is an extension your CV. In fact, they are a more realistic overview of

your personality.

So what does this mean for your chances of a trial? And how can you clean up your 'digital

footprint' before approaching a club?

First things first why are football recruiters interested in your online presence? Surely your

football CV is more than enough?

The main reasons a scout or recruiter may check your online profile are:

• To assess if you'd fit in with the team's culture and philosophy

• To check if your qualifications match what you listed on your football CV

• To build a picture of your personality

Have you ever Googled yourself? The best way to check how you appear online is to perform a simple Google search by

typing your full name into Google's search bar and seeing what results it returns.

This allows you to check what photos pop up, or if anything unprofessional appears in the

top search results.



You can also check if your social media profiles appear and what information is available

to the public. Make private anything you wouldn’t want to show to your Gran!

How to Make Your Social Media Private The safest way to ensure football recruiters only see the information you want is to make

your accounts private. In most cases, we would suggest making all your social media

accounts private. But, you may wish to customize these settings, and remember that even

with a private setting the recruiter will still see your profile image so make sure whatever

images you use, you are happy for a potential recruiter to see them too.

Facebook

Facebook gives you various privacy options for friends and non-friends. We advise keeping

everything private except your name and profile picture. This will mean that anyone who

isn't a friend will only see your chosen picture.

You should also limit what friends can tag you in. Select the setting that asks you for

approval anytime one of your friends tags you in a photo or post. This ensures that you

have full control over what appears on your Facebook wall.

Once you have set up both checks, scan your profile for any posts that may have a

negative effect on recruiters, or that could come back to haunt you when you turn pro!

Twitter

Have you ever shared or re-tweeted a controversial statement? Now may be the best time

to go private. Even if it may be a harmless joke, a recruiter may not read this tweet in the

same context. To appear as professional as possible try to be vigilant with what you tweet

or share - Remember you are a brand.

Top Tip: Scan over your old tweets/retweets and remove any that could come across rude,

controversial, inappropriate.



Instagram

Similar to twitter, you should look to make your Instagram account is private. Instagram is a

great platform for sharing images and socialising online with friends. But, it can also come

across unprofessional if you're socialising too much.

One great thing about Instagram is the 'Archive' feature. This allows you to remove any

posts or images without losing the likes or comments. You can then re-upload this post at

any time.

Top Tip: Try to add training and nutrition images to show how serious you take self-

improvement.

Pinterest

You may think a football recruiter will never look at your Pinterest profile, but if it's

associated with you, it still needs checking over. The easiest way to clean up your Pinterest

is to use the private board option.

Snapchat

Our main piece of advice for Snapchat is: BEWARE of the screenshot.

There are many ways your friends can save your videos or screenshot your photos without

your permission. So you should only accept a Snapchat request from people you know and

trust. Do not post anything you may later regret.

What about Bebo?

You should delete any old profile and pages too. Think Myspace, Xanga and Bebo, these

should all be deactivated. Even though you may not have used them for years, they are

still out there somewhere. And if they haven't been closed down properly, then your profile

and posts may still be available. So it's important to take the time to cleanse your entire

digital footprint.



CASE STUDY: DON’T END UP DOING A LESCOTT

Joleon Lescott scored a Social Media own goal After a 6-0 thumping by Liverpool, Aston Villa's Joleon Lescott addressed the upset and

angry Villa fans with this provocative tweet:

And minutes late he then tweeted an image of a new Mercedes which riled fans further.



Although this second tweet was (apparently) an accident, with Lescott implying the phone

tweeted this image when in his pocket, fans didn’t see it this way.

Lescott later apologised for the first tweet directed at the Aston Villa fans, however, the

damage had already been done. And even though the tweets have long been deleted,

the screenshots will continue to circulate on the internet as one of the biggest footballer

social media blunders of all time.

TASK 6: YOUR SOCIAL FOOTPRINT TEST

Why this task? Find out what coaches and scouts see when they search you online so

that you can adjust your image to be more professional.

Instructions 1. Google your name and see what appears for the first 3 pages of the search results

2. Login to all of your social media accounts (even the accounts no longer in use) and

either make them private or deactivate them

3. Delete any old posts or pictures that may come across unprofessional

4. Add or share football/fitness/nutrition related content to highlight your interests in

improving.



NEXT STEPS



Approaching Football Clubs with Your Football CV

So you now have the perfect football CV and a cover letter that will spark interest from

scouts. But there is one more important hurdle to consider, and that’s how and when to

approach a club with your football CV.

Many players and parents only send their football CV's in response to a football club offering

a trial or opening.

However, nowadays clubs rarely hold open trials. Therefore, a more proactive approach is

the best option.

The majority of players hoping to progress in football put their efforts into the 3% of the pie by

only applying when they see an advertised opportunity. This means they could be missing

out on 97% of the opportunities out there.

Advantages of speculative approach • You've demonstrated initiative and a proactive attitude

• Your football CV may not be in a pile with other CV's

• You could land your CV when an opportunity has not yet arisen which means less

competition for the position

Disadvantages of speculative a approach • The timing could be wrong even though you may be the perfect player

• You need to reach out to a lot of football clubs to increase your chances of getting a

trial

• Rejection is likely, so you must be accepting of this and not let it put you off

• You must get used to not hearing a response from a club due to the volume of

applications they receive

You need to remember that you could have the best approach, football CV and cover

letter, and still not succeed first time. A successful approach comes down to contacting the

right person, in the right club, at the right time. However, as with any promotional plan, the

more you do the better the outcome. So don’t give up, and if one club says no, try another.

Not every footballer makes it first time.



9.1 How to approach a football club

There are 4 main approaches to take:

1. Visit the football club in person

2. Ring the football club

3. Write to the football club and follow up with a phone call

4. Apply online (if option is available)

Emailing your football CV to a club is quick and easy. However, this also makes it easy for the

recruiter to delete. It is not uncommon for football clubs to receive 100's of approaches a

day, so standing out is key.

Therefore, opting for the traditional approach of a well-presented football CV on quality

paper will set you aside from your competition. Plus, it is much easier for a recruiter to press

delete then get up and find a bin.

2 Important Tips • Always make your cover letter out to a named contact

This can often be found on the football club or academy website. If you are unsure,

ring the club and ask for the name of the head of recruitment.

• Give your next fixtures

List your next 6 fixtures with location, date and kick off times. Describe your team

colours and your squad number. A scout may turn up to watch you unannounced, so

give them what they need to find you.



9.2 Why Football Trials are not always advertised?

FIFA estimates that around 265 million people worldwide play football. Granted a portion of

these players will only partake in social matches (5 aside etc.). However, the majority dream

of making it to the professional game, and as such, any advertised opportunities to play in

front of professional scouts is always inundated with applicants. This response leads to a lot of

unsuitable applications and extra work for the recruiter.

Instead, clubs employ a large network of scouts, who report their findings back to the

recruitment team. This saves time and resources and ensures the standards of trialists are kept

high. To understand more about football trials and the player pathway for a footballer visit:

The ultimate guide to Football Trial: playerscout.co.uk/football-trials/

https://playerscout.co.uk/get-scouted/football-trials/



Using your football CV to boost your confidence

All successful players have faced rejection and setbacks throughout their career. The

question is, how do they come to terms with rejection and bounce back?

Learning to play football to the highest levels involves developing your mental strength and

turning negative games into positive outcomes. Your CV is just the beginning of this mind set

and it’s important to not let negative situations or rejection sit prominently in your mind.

Instead you need to learn how to deal with the inevitable up and downs of trying to make it

in football.

Being rejected can lead you to feeling upset and depressed about yourself and why the

club don’t want you. There many reasons why you can have an application rejected and

they don’t by any means all mean you are not good enough or destined to fail. In fact there

are two aspects that you need to re-focus on at this point to help you to keep going in your

quest to improve your game. These are:



1. That there could be many reason why you have been rejected such as: the team is

full, they are not looking for a player like you at this time or they have other priorities

2. That you need to re-focus your energy on positive affirmations and further actions you

can take to succeed

How you react to rejection will affect your future actions:



Your initial response after rejection

A great way to improve your mood after a trial rejection is to review your football CV. The tips

and techniques provided in this book have helped you create your very own marketing

brochure and it may be that you can find way to improve your CV.

Before doing that, take a moment to visualise your football achievements in your mind,

remembering the positive feelings and emotions you experienced.

Concentrate on each skill you possess and imagine using them on the football field.

Be thankful for all the coaching and guidance you have received to date and congratulate

yourself on your qualifications and/or achievements.

As you read your profile, say to yourself 'this is me'.

Now stop thinking and take positive action. It is the perfect time to take control of your

football career and your future within the game.

Your football CV is never complete and should be updated till the day you hang up your

boots. Remember, as you improve and progress as a player, so should your football CV. Ask

yourself these questions:

• Does your football CV reflect where you are now, or where you were when you first

wrote it?

• Have you gained any new skills? If yes, then add the relevant skills to your football CV/

• Are you still comfortable with all the statements listed on your football CV or do you

need to change your personal attributes?



Examples of POSITIVE ACTION

• Re-visit your CV, highlights video and LinkedIn profile to see how it can be improved

• Continue to make contact with other clubs and make further applications

• Make a list of future trial dates and apply to them

• Ask your coach for constructive feedback that you can work on

• Learn about Football Nutrition and improve your diet (this will improve your

performance)

• Carry out fitness tests and improve all areas of your strength and conditioning. Then

update your CV with better results

• Keep playing…Practice make perfect



MESSAGE FROM THE PLAYERSCOUT

Dear Player, We are proud to be able to offer the world’s first book on how to write your Football CV and strong believe that we have given you all the tool necessary to succeed. Congratulate yourself that you have taken the initiative to spend considerable time reviewing and writing your football CV, it will pay off. We know that this is a journey and you will have questions along the way, so we encourage you to reach out to us either on our website or through social to ask us

As long as you keep working at it, we will always be here to help you.

Best of Luck in your pursuit,

Grantley Baugh,

Founder of PlayerScout

www.Playerscout.co.uk

Twitter: @PlayerScoutUK | Facebook: @PlayerScoutUK | Instagram: Player_Scout |

YouTube: Player Scout



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Publisher: PlayerScout (www.PlayerScout.co.uk)

Author: Grantley Baugh (Football Scout & Founder of PlayerScout)

With special thanks to our team of coaches, physios, scouts and managers that helped to give insight

and expertise into the making of this book.

DISCLAIMER Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is accurate. However, the

publisher is not responsible for your specific football career, training and health needs that may require

medical supervision or professional assistance. Neither the author nor the publisher will be liable for any

loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestions in this book.



COPYRIGHT This book may be purchased for educational and personal use only.

Versions Available: eBook only.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors

assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information

contained herein.

Copyright © 2012-2017, PlayerScout. PlayerScout is a registered trademark 00003226114 of classes 9, 41

and 41. All titles, content, publisher names, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are

trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Edition 1: Published January 2015

Edition 2: Published October 2017

EAN : 0713325950461

Europe, Asia & Other Countries

UPC: 713325950461

USA & Canada

www.PlayerScout.co.uk

table of contents...3.14 your profile photo.....3 -50 how to write a football cv for your child...

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