Recruit New Players
recruiting new players or developing the size of squad now required to get through a season can be a challenge
We know that just finding 11 players for a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning can on occasions pose a real difficulty. There are however millions of people who still want to play and now for the first time the FA and CFAs can help to recruit players for your club. Whether it’s a cat like keepers, rock hard defenders, free scoring strikers or just someone to make up the numbers the FA’s improved ‘Play Football’ search engine will direct players to those clubs in their locality who are keen to recruit.
The FA’s ‘Play Football’ search engine is the best way for participants to research their local opportunities and get a comprehensive idea of what’s available. We’ve now improved the experience so that you can now;
- Search by format – adult male, adult female, youth, Just Play, Disability
- Search by Day or time
- Search by club name
- Search by postcode or area name
- Guidance( search) on playing standard so that you can find the right game for you
- Access ‘Play Football’ on the FA or CFA websites or any partner organisation that wishes to host this search engine.
- View your search on a PC, Lap Top, tablet or mobile
However the big difference we want to achieve is to invite clubs to provide some details about themselves that will encourage users to contact them directly to enquire about opportunities to play. Instead of just getting a list of clubs – some of whom won’t be suitable – we want to provide all clubs with the opportunity to describe themselves – the background and history, the league that you play in, club facilities, teams that you run, training arrangements, fees, coaching, playing record, club ethos, social events etc. You can provide these details in the same way that you provide other key club details by logging onto the FA’s Whole Game System and completing your club profile in a simple text box. It’s possible in your profile to list forthcoming events – trials, open days, club festivals and then remove these when the dates have passed. The ‘Play Football’ search engine will display any details you list in your WGS profile.
What we also want to do is to translate someone’s search into a club enquiry so every club profile will include a ‘contact us’ box that if completed will send an email off to your nominated club contact. Doing it in this way is far more likely to result in new players turning up at your club.
What do we want you to do?
We would like all clubs to do the following;
- Go into WGS account and in the club details section provide a description of your club in 1200 characters that will convince newcomers to come and play for you ( all the normal rules about appropriate, accurate and truthful content apply)
- Keep your club profile updated. The FA will in its promotions and campaigns be directing people to use ‘Play Football’ if your details are months or years out of date it doesn’t show the club in the best light.
If large numbers of clubs submit their playing profiles then we have the opportunity to create a comprehensive and authoritative source of local opportunities
What does a club profile look like? What should it include.
The main thing to do is to try and put yourself in the position of someone researching local club opportunities. What information will they be looking for? Probably the club’s background and history, the league that you play in, club facilities, teams that you run, training arrangements, fees, coaching, playing record, club ethos, social events etc.
Secondly your recruitment should reflect the character, situation and ambitions of your club. Be honest as misleading people as to what they can expect will only backfire in the long run.
How do I upload my club profile?
Clubs are invited to complete their club profile using their ‘Whole game System’ log in. If you don’t know how to access the WGS please contact your County Football Association.
You can update your club profile in 3 easy steps. Download the guide here for a step by step guide.