How to Create a Football CV That Gets Trials

Wed Jun 24 2026

So you've sent 50 emails to clubs and agents this week and heard nothing back. Zero replies. Sound familiar? Let's be blunt: the problem might not be your highlight video or your stats. It might be the first thing they ever see from you – your football CV.

A messy, unprofessional CV is the fastest way to get your email dragged into the trash folder. A scout or sporting director might spend less than 30 seconds looking at it before making a decision. Your CV isn't just a document; it's your first test. It tells them if you're a serious, organized professional before they’ve even seen you kick a ball. If you can't get this right, how can they trust you to be disciplined on the pitch?

This guide will show you exactly how to build a CV that makes you look like a pro, even if you're still chasing that first contract.

What a Winning Football CV Must Include

Think of your CV as a one-page summary of you as a player. It needs to be scannable, clear, and contain all the key information a technical director or agent needs to see immediately. Don't make them hunt for it.

Personal & Contact Details

This goes right at the top. It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many players get it wrong or forget crucial details.

• Full Name: John Smith
• Date of Birth: 05/10/2002 (Day/Month/Year)
• Nationality: English
• Passport(s): British, Nigerian (If you have dual nationality, especially an EU passport, this is a massive advantage. List it!)
• Email: Use a professional address, not one from when you were 14. johnsmith.football@email.com is good. bigballer2002@email.com is not.
• Phone Number: Include the international dialing code (e.g., +44 for the UK).
• Location: City and Country (e.g., Manchester, England).

Football Vitals

This is a snapshot of your physical and on-field profile. It’s what scouts use to see if you fit the profile they’re looking for.

• Primary Position: Centre-Back
• Secondary Position: Defensive Midfielder
• Height: 188cm / 6ft 2in (use both)
• Weight: 82kg / 180lbs (use both)
• Preferred Foot: Right
• Photo: A clear, high-quality headshot of you in your kit. No selfies, no blurry match photos, no pictures with your mates.

Playing History

This is the most critical section of your CV. It must be in reverse chronological order, meaning you start with your current or most recent club and work backwards. This is non-negotiable.

For each club, list the following:

• 2023-Present: Ancoats FC (NPL Division One West, England)
  • Team Captain
  • Started 28 of 30 league matches in the 2023/24 season
  • Team of the Week selection (October 2023)
• 2021-2023: University of Manchester First Team (BUCS Northern Premier)
  • Won National Championship 2022
• 2018-2021: Manchester City FC Academy (U18, U21)
  • U18 Premier League Champion 2020/21

Notice how specific that is? Don't just write "played for Ancoats FC." Give them stats, achievements, and context. Did you win the league? Were you top scorer? Did you play a significant number of games? Prove your value.

Highlight Video & Profiles

In today's game, this is just as important as your playing history. Provide one clear, clickable link. Do not attach large video files to emails.

• Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/your-highlights-link
• Transfermarkt Profile: If you have one, link it. If you don't, it’s not the end of the world, but it adds credibility.

How to Format Your Football CV

Presentation matters. A clean, simple, one-page document is the professional standard. Anything more is too much.

1. Keep it to one page. We've said it twice already for a reason. No scout has time to read your life story.
2. Use a clean font. Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri are safe bets. Keep the font size between 10 and 12.
3. Use PDF format. Saving your CV as a PDF ensures the formatting looks the same on any device. Naming the file JohnSmith-Football-CV-2024.pdf makes you look organized.
4. No crazy colours or graphics. A simple, professional layout is best. Your football ability should be the focus, not your graphic design skills.
5. Proofread it. Then have someone else proofread it. Spelling mistakes or grammatical errors look unprofessional and lazy.

### What should a football CV look like?

A football CV should be a clean, one-page document. It should have a clear headshot, your vital stats (height, position, foot), your playing history in reverse chronological order, and a link to your highlight video. Avoid crazy fonts, colours, or multi-page documents.

Should I include references on my CV?

You can, but it's not essential. If you have a trusted former coach who has agreed to be a reference, you can list their name, title, and contact information. Otherwise, simply writing 'References available upon request' at the bottom is perfectly fine.

Do I need a Transfermarkt profile?

No, it's not a requirement, but it certainly helps. A Transfermarkt profile adds a layer of credibility and makes your career history easy to verify. If you are playing at a level covered by Transfermarkt, it is worth ensuring your profile is accurate and up-to-date.

Once your CV is sharp, professional, and ready to go, the real work begins. You can start using it to connect with opportunities that match your level and ambition. My Football Future is the place where you can find live trial listings, agent contacts, and club vacancies to put that new CV to good use.