Football Scouts - Club Guidance

Guidance for Grassroots Football

  • Professional Club Scouts (sometimes referred to as Recruitment Officers in the Premier League) should identify themselves to the Club Managers /Officials at the start of a game or training session if they are there to scout for players.
  • Always approach any unidentified or suspicious adults observing matches and ask about their involvement with the game.
  • If a person identifies themselves as a Club Scout always ask to see their Identification; if they are unable to provide any identification, ask them for their name and the person at the Club who they formally report to.
  • If they cannot provide identification or contact details for verification and choose to stay at the game / training session, ensure that they are not left on their own.
  • If you have any reason to be suspicious of their actions or intent contact the Club for verification of the ID where it has been given; where there is no ID you may wish to ask them to leave or contact the police.
  • Report as soon as is realistically possible to your CFA Welfare Officer the name of the individual who has claimed to be a Scout and the Club that they claimed to be working for where no identification has been provided or where you have reason to doubt the validity of the ID.

Scouts should:

  • Be employed / have volunteered through a rigorous recruitment process which would include an enhanced CRB & references.
  • Have completed the FA ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People in Football’ workshop.
  • Follow the football governing bodies’ regulations, also know and understand the rules.
  • Be registered with the Football League through the YD3 form.
  • Promote and enhance the club image and demonstrate club loyalty.
  • Have a job description / role specification dependent upon their employment status within the club.
  • Understand and follow club recruitment induction protocols, and codes of conduct.
  • Be issued with and wear Club ID badge, with a photograph, this should be renewed every season and state the current season. (ID badges should be removed from any scout who is no longer involved with the club)
  • Be empathetic to all aspects of grass-roots football - approach managers / officials at matches explain that they are observing and introduce themselves, identifying who they are and which club they represent.
  • Understand the talent requirements of the club they represent and have knowledge of children’s technical and physical development.
  • Always be honest and realistic with parents and players.
  • Receive some supervision by the club appropriate to the role and time employed / volunteering with the club. Stay in contact with the club, and deal with required paperwork.
  • Attend club meetings and training when required by club.

Scouts should not:

  • Abuse their position
  • Make unrealistic promises to children, parents, or club managers.
  • Observe games without introducing themselves to the officials at the match.
  • Promise trials at clubs without the permission / agreement of the club.