How to Start a Youth Grassroots Football Team in the UK

Step 1: Form Your Committee

Every grassroots club needs a committee. The FA requires that clubs appoint a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, with no single person holding more than two of these positions. For youth clubs, a Club Welfare Officer is also mandatory.

These are the people who will run the club, handle the admin, manage the finances, and ensure safeguarding standards are met. You don't need a massive committee — but you do need these core roles filled before you can affiliate.

Step 2: Write Your Club Constitution

Your club needs a written constitution — a set of rules that govern how the club operates. The FA doesn't prescribe a specific legal structure (a club cannot be a sole trader, but otherwise you have flexibility), but they do provide template club rules that most new clubs adopt.

The constitution covers things like membership fees, how committee members are elected, how finances are managed, and how the club will dissolve if it ever needs to. Your County FA can provide a template, and many County FAs publish guidance on their websites.

Step 3: Appoint a Club Welfare Officer

If your club runs teams for under-18s, you must have a Club Welfare Officer (CWO). This is non-negotiable — it's a core FA safeguarding requirement and a condition of affiliation for all youth clubs.

The Welfare Officer must have:

• An FA-accepted enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List
• Completed the FA Safeguarding Children Course
• Completed the FA Welfare Officers Course

Step 4: Get DBS Checks for All Volunteers

Anyone aged 16 or over who will be working with under-18 players — coaches, managers, first aiders, or any other club-based role — must hold a current FA-enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List. This must show as "accepted" on the Club Portal before that person can work with children.

DBS checks are processed through the FA CRB Unit and are part of the affiliation criteria for youth football. They need to be renewed periodically — your County FA will flag when a check is expiring.

Step 5: Complete Safeguarding & Coaching Qualifications

This is where most new coaches have questions. Here's exactly what you and your team of volunteers need to complete, with costs and links:

Step 6: Secure a Home Pitch

You need somewhere to play. For most new grassroots clubs, that means hiring a pitch from your local council or a school. Many local authorities have online booking systems for grass and 3G pitches — search your council's website for "football pitch hire" or "sports pitch booking."

You'll need a pitch that's appropriate for the age group you're running. Mini-soccer (U7–U10) uses smaller pitches; 9v9 (U11–U12) uses intermediate pitches; and 11v11 (U13+) uses full-size pitches. Make sure the facility can accommodate the right format.

Some clubs arrange a long-term hire agreement with a school or council facility, which gives them a consistent home ground for the season. Others rotate between available council pitches. Either way, you'll need to confirm your home pitch before you affiliate, as your County FA will ask for it.

Step 7: Affiliate to Your County FA

This is the big one. To play in any sanctioned competition — league or cup — your club must be affiliated to your local County FA. Affiliation confirms that your club meets FA standards for safeguarding, insurance, and governance.

Affiliation is done online through the FA Club Portal (clubs.thefa.com). The affiliation window typically opens in late spring/early summer each year, ahead of the new season. You'll need to:

• Complete the New Club Form (if you're a brand-new club)
• Upload your club constitution
• Confirm your committee members and Welfare Officer
• Confirm all DBS checks are accepted
• Pay the affiliation fee and insurance premium
• Affiliate each team individually (you can affiliate the whole club in one go)

Step 8: Join a Sanctioned League

Once affiliated, your team needs to join a league to play competitive matches. Leagues are themselves affiliated (sanctioned) by County FAs, and they set the rules for competition in their area.

Contact your County FA to find out which youth leagues operate in your area and which age groups they run. Most leagues hold a registration window ahead of the season, so you'll need to get your team entered before that deadline. Your County FA can point you in the right direction.

Note: from the 2026/27 season, the FA is introducing new steps to improve grassroots youth football, including changes to team sizes at certain age groups. Check with your County FA and league for the latest format guidance before you enter.

Step 9: Register Your Players

Every player who represents your team in sanctioned competition must be registered with the FA. Player registration is done through the FA Club Portal / Whole Game System. You can search for existing FA Players (most children who've played before will already have an FA number) or add new players.

You'll need each player's full name, date of birth, and address. The league will confirm registrations and issue player ID numbers. Players can only play for the team they're registered with in league matches.

Step 10: Get Insured & Sign the Grassroots Code

Insurance: Public liability and personal accident insurance is included as part of your County FA affiliation fee. The basic standard of cover is paid per team during the affiliation process — the current premiums are listed on the Club Portal. This covers your club for claims arising from football activity.

The Grassroots Code: The FA's Grassroots Code is a national behaviour standard designed to unite everyone in the game — players, coaches, parents, and spectators. Youth teams are encouraged to read, agree, and sign the code. It sets the tone for how your club will conduct itself on the touchline.

Where SquadGod Fits In

Once your club is affiliated and your players are registered, the real work begins — running the team week in, week out. That's where SquadGod comes in. SquadGod is a free grassroots football team management app built specifically for youth coaches, and it handles the admin that the FA doesn't:

The FA handles governance, safeguarding, and competition. SquadGod handles everything else — the day-to-day running of your team that eats up your evenings and weekends. It's free to start, works on any phone, and is designed to save coaches hours of admin every week.

Your New-Team Checklist

All Official Links in One Place

Note: Course prices and affiliation fees are correct as of the 2025/26 season. Always check the latest figures on England Football Learning and your County FA's website before booking. The FA is introducing changes for the 2026/27 season — consult your County FA for the most up-to-date requirements.