A comprehensive guide on how to start a football team

Starting a football team from scratch is one of the most exciting and challenging ventures any sports enthusiast can take. Whether you’re dreaming of forming a competitive league team, a casual community club, or even a school or corporate team, this is a journey that requires a vision, dedication, and a clear roadmap.

Below, we’re going to take you through each step of starting a football team from scratch, from defining your vision to recruiting players, setting up matches, and finding the resources you need to help you turn your passion into a reality.

1. Start by defining your vision

Before you begin recruiting players or purchasing equipment, you need to be clear about what kind of team you’re trying to build. Are you aiming for a competitive squad that will challenge for league titles, or a more casual community team focused on fitness, fun, and social connection? Will your team cater to youth players, adults, or a mixed age group?

Identifying your purpose, goals, and long-term ambitions creates a foundation for every decision that follows, from your budget and coaching style to the level of commitment you expect from players. A clear vision not only keeps you focused but also attracts the right people who share the same enthusiasm and direction for the team’s future.

Choosing the type of team you want

A good place to start when defining your vision is choosing what type of football team you want to create. There are many different kinds to choose from, and these include:

A grassroots team - a community-based team open to players of all abilities, typically run by volunteers. These teams focus on participation, local engagement, and giving people of all ages a chance to play football in an accessible, welcoming environment.

A competitive league team - this team is built to compete in structured leagues, with regular training, skilled players, and ambitions to progress through divisions

A casual/recreational Team - this is a more relaxed, low-pressure team with more of a focus on fitness and socialising than winning trophies

A youth team - these teams focus on specific age groups from U8 - U16. They often cater more to development, teaching sportsmanship and creating pathways for young footballers. If you want to learn more about setting up these types of teams, you can read more in our guide to starting a kids' football team.

A Sunday league team - a Sunday league is a type of grassroots adult team that plays in local amateur leagues - competitive but accessible, often with a strong community vibe. If you want to learn more about how to set up a Sunday league, you can read up more on our blog.

A workplace team - these are usually organised within a company to promote teamwork, health, and morale, and to participate in corporate sports leagues. You can learn more about setting up a company sports team in our blog.

A five-a-side team - a smaller-sided team of five that plays indoors or on smaller pitches. They’re ideal for fast-paced, technical play.

A charity team - a team formed around fundraising events, social causes, or community outreach programs rather than long-term competition. Their goal is to raise funds for their chosen charity.

An inclusive team - these teams are designed to be accessible to people with disabilities or diverse needs, often working with specialised leagues or programs

2. Budget and planning

Once you’ve distinguished what type of team you want to have, the next step will be to figure out your financial plan. Before organising training sessions or purchasing equipment, you need a clear understanding of what these things will cost. This includes upfront expenses such as kits, footballs, cones, goals, and pitch hire, as well as ongoing costs like league fees, referees, travel, and potential insurance.

There are a lot of costs that go into running a football team, and the expenditure will differ depending on the type of team you want to create. If you want to learn more about what to expect, you can read our dedicated guide - ‘What are the costs of running a football club?’.

You should also plan out how your club will receive the funding it needs, which can be through fundraising, sponsorships, or grants. Funding is an essential part of starting a team and will ensure your team can operate smoothly throughout the season.

3. Recruiting players

Once you’ve got a solid plan in place, you can begin to recruit players for your team. This is a process that determines the skill, chemistry, and commitment of your squad. Begin by identifying the positions and roles you need to fill, taking into account your team’s style of play and long-term goals. You want to find people who will match your team's goals and morals.

Advertise tryouts or recruitment opportunities through social media, local clubs, schools, and community centres to reach a wide range of potential players. When selecting players, consider not only their technical ability but also their attitude, teamwork, and dedication - qualities that are just as important for building a strong, cohesive team.

Read through our full guide on how to recruit players for your football team to ensure you find the best players for your club, and how to set out clear expectations for potential players, including team rules and training schedule commitments.

4. Get a coach and build a support team

The fourth step in starting a football team is hiring a coach and building a support team, which provides the leadership and structure your club needs to succeed. A skilled coach not only develops players’ technical abilities and tactical understanding but also fosters teamwork, discipline, and motivation both on and off the pitch.

Depending on the size and ambition of your team, you may also need assistant coaches, fitness trainers, medical staff, or administrative support to handle scheduling, registrations, and communications. Choosing the right people ensures that training runs smoothly, matches are well-prepared, and players receive the guidance and care they need.

For smaller clubs or youth clubs, parents are often happy to get involved where they can, for roles such as admin roles or organising fundraisers. You can learn more about football club job roles and how to recruit for them in our full guide.

If you’re interested in taking up the coaching role yourself, or know someone who wants to step in but isn’t sure how to get started, you can read our guide on how to become a football coach for some great tips on what it takes to be a good coach.

5. Secure facilities and equipment

Your new recruits won't be able to train without the proper facilities and equipment, so the fifth step is to secure these. Finding the right practice fields and game venues ensures your team has a safe, reliable space to develop skills and build teamwork. At the same time, equipping your squad with the proper gear, such as footballs, cones, goals, training bibs, and kits, helps create a professional and organised environment.

You should also consider other essentials such as first aid kits, storage, and water bottles. Balancing quality with budget is key, and exploring options like community pitches, school grounds, or shared facilities with storage options for your gear can help reduce costs. Having the right facilities and equipment not only supports player performance but also signals to your team that their development and safety are a priority.

Storage is particularly important if you have a club with multiple teams of different ages, because you’ll need the right equipment for each team to hand. For example, you may need different ball sizes, and lugging multiple bags to and from the venue each week can be tiresome. If you’re not sure how to choose the right football for your team, you can read our blog for more advice on what size football will be best for your club.

6. Establish a training and practice routine

Next is to establish a consistent training and practice routine, which is crucial for developing skills, teamwork, and overall performance. A well-structured schedule ensures that players know when and where to train, creating discipline and commitment from the start.

Training sessions should have a balance between technical drills, tactical exercises, fitness conditioning, and small matches to get them used to the quick decision-making and the pressure that comes with being on the pitch. You should also ensure substantial time for warm-ups and cool-downs after every session.

By maintaining a regular routine, coaches can monitor progress, address weaknesses, and build cohesion within the squad, giving your team the best chance to succeed on the field while fostering a professional and motivated environment.

7. Register your team

Registering your team is a key step in officially bringing your football club to life. Not only is it necessary for insurance purposes, but it’s also how your team will be eligible to compete in matches against other clubs. This process typically involves enrolling with a local league, football association, or governing body, each of which has specific requirements regarding player eligibility, insurance, safeguarding, and club administration.

You may need to submit player forms, pay registration fees, provide proof of facilities, and agree to follow league rules and codes of conduct. While it may seem like a lot of paperwork, registration gives your team protection, legitimacy, and access to regular fixtures, referees, and competitions. Once the paperwork is signed off, your team will transition from a training group to an officially acknowledged football team.

8. Create a team identity

You may think this should come a lot sooner in the process, but player input is very important when creating a team identity. It’s easier to create a strong identity when you’ve already secured a team culture within the group. Some things you should be considering when creating your team's identity include:

Choosing a memorable team name - your team name should be something that represents you and what you stand for. It’s what people will know you as, so something catchy that people can easily remember will be best.

Designing a team logo - A logo is often the centrepiece of your kit. It’ll be all over social media, posters, and it’s what people will know you by, alongside your name. When making a logo, consider what your team stands for. Some clubs might prefer a logo that's strong and sharp, to show determination and strength, while others may prefer a logo that represents a cause they support.

Designing your team's kit - you’ll want to think about your team's colours and what will best represent you. It’s not easy to design a kit that looks good and stands out, so if you’re looking for some top-notch design tips, head over to our page on how to design a football kit.

More than design, you’ll want a kit that supports play. Something with the best materials that supports airflow and movement. There are a lot of choices, from shorts and track pants to jerseys and jackets, but if you want to ensure you find the best match for your team, then read through our guide on how to choose the right football kit for your club for more advice.

9. Plan your first matches

This is an exciting milestone for any new football team and allows players to put their training into action. You can begin by organising small, friendly matches with other teams, as these low-pressure games can help your players gain both confidence and experience.

You can also use these early matches to evaluate player roles, define tactics and help identify areas of improvement. Although these friendly beginner's matches are less pressure than a regular match, you still need to coordinate the match location, ensure your team is ready with a game plan and make sure you’re motivating and strengthening the players before the game begins. This can all set the tone for future matches.

If you’re graduating out of friendly games and want to prepare for competitive matches, you’ll need to start planning and preparing for new football seasons to ensure that your team is on form before these matches start.

10. Maintain growth and motivation

Even though you’ve now got your football team set up, it doesn’t end yet. You will have to maintain a steady flow of motivation, support and growth within your team if you want it to be successful. Keeping players engaged requires regular communication, constructive feedback, and a positive environment where effort and improvement are recognised. Lacking in these departments could mean a lack of coordination, motivation and even players dropping out.

You should ensure that you include plenty of team-building activities to help your team bond and maintain a good relationship as well, which will help foster communication and trust between players. You can read more about the best team-building activities for your football team on our blog if you want some great ideas.

Overall, you should be encouraging continuous development through:

A varied training schedule

Creating new challenges

Opening opportunities for players to take on leadership roles

Staying open to fresh talent

Allowing room for new ideas

Adapting and evolving goals to keep your team progressing

All of these things will help your club remain united and help it to grow season after season.

Start your own football team with Avec Sport

Starting your own football team is a rewarding journey that blends passion, planning, and perseverance. From defining your vision and recruiting committed players to establishing routines and building a strong identity, each step plays a vital role in bringing your club to life. Whether your ambition is to compete at a high level or simply create a place for people to enjoy the game, the foundation you build today will shape your team’s future success.

Get started building your dream team with Avec Sport and browse our custom football kits to help you create a strong team identity that motivates and boosts morale. Or head over to our football accessories collection and make sure your team has everything they need for training and matches.