How to Create a Football CV That Gets You Trials

Sat Jul 18 2026

'''A scout opens his laptop, sifting through 200 emails from hopeful players. He clicks on yours. What he sees in the next 15 seconds will determine if you get a reply or if your dream of a trial ends right there, in his inbox. That first impression isn't your highlight video. It's your CV.

Think of your football CV as your professional passport. Before anyone watches your clips, before they check your Transfermarkt, and long before they see you play in person, they read your CV. It tells them who you are, where you've been, and whether you're a serious player. Too many talented players get this wrong, sending sloppy, unprofessional documents that get them deleted instantly. This guide will make sure you aren't one of them.

Why a Professional CV is Non-Negotiable

Look, a great CV won't get you a professional contract on its own. But a bad one will absolutely slam the door shut before you've even had a chance.

A well-structured CV shows you're disciplined, organised, and serious about your career. It respects the time of the coach, scout, or agent reading it. They can see your key information in a clean, easy-to-read format and make a quick, informed decision about whether to take the next step: watching your video or inviting you to a trial.

An email with no CV attached? Deleted. A CV full of spelling mistakes and weird formatting? Deleted. A CV that looks like it was thrown together in five minutes? You get the idea.

What belongs in a Football CV?

A football CV is simple and factual. It’s not an essay about your life story. It should be one page, two at the absolute maximum if you have extensive senior experience. Stick to a clean, professional font and black text.

You need to make it incredibly easy for the reader to find what they're looking for. Here’s the essential information you must include:

• Personal & Contact Information: Your name, date of birth, nationality (and second nationality if applicable), height, weight, and preferred foot. Add a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com, not striker99@email.com) and a phone number with your country code.
• Playing Position: Be specific. Don't just say "Midfielder." Say "Defensive Midfielder (No. 6)" or "Attacking Midfielder (No. 10 / No. 8)". If you genuinely excel in multiple spots, list them, but have a clear primary position.
• Playing History (in reverse chronological order): List every club you’ve played for, starting with your most recent. This is the most important section.
• Key Attributes: A short, punchy section summarising your strengths as a player.
• References: List one or two trusted former coaches with their name, title, club, and contact information. Always ask their permission first.
• Links to Footage: Include a direct link to your highlight reel and, if you have one, your Transfermarkt profile.

How to Detail Your Playing History

This is where scouts and coaches spend the most time. They want to see your career progression. You must list your experience from your current or most recent club and work backwards.

For each club, follow this exact format:

1. Club Name & League: Write the full club name and the specific league and division you played in (e.g., "NPL Victoria 2" not just "Australian league"). This shows you understand the level.
2. Season(s): List the years you were there (e.g., "2022-2023 Season").
3. Age Group / Team: Specify if you were in the U19s, Reserves, or First Team.
4. Key Statistics: This is your proof. List your appearances, starts, goals, and assists. Be honest. For defenders or goalkeepers, you can list clean sheets. If you were a captain, mention it.

Here’s a good example:

FC Helsingør (Danish 1st Division) 2023-Present First Team

• 15 Appearances (12 starts)
• 2 goals, 4 assists

Nykøbing FC (Danish 2nd Division) 2021-2023 First Team

• 52 Appearances (48 starts)
• 12 goals, 8 assists
• Team Captain (2022-23 Season)

Don't Make These Common CV Mistakes

I’ve seen thousands of these. The ones that go straight into the trash folder almost always have one of these problems:

• Lying or exaggerating: Don't claim you had trials at clubs when you didn't. Don't invent stats. The football world is small, and you will be found out. It kills your credibility instantly.
• Outdated information: Make sure your height, weight, and current club details are always up to date.
• Unprofessional photos: If you include a photo, it must be a simple headshot in your club kit or a plain t-shirt. No selfies, no social media pictures, no filters.
• Irrelevant information: Nobody cares what primary school you went to or that you enjoy playing FIFA. Keep it strictly about your football career.
• Poor formatting: A messy, hard-to-read CV signals a lack of discipline. Use a clean, simple template. A PDF format is always best.

Your CV, Highlights, and Transfermarkt: The Holy Trinity

Your CV is just one part of your professional toolkit. It works together with your highlight video and your Transfermarkt profile to create a complete picture.

• Your CV is the factual summary of your career.
• Your highlight video is the visual proof of your ability.
• Your Transfermarkt profile is the public record that verifies your playing history.

An agent or scout will use all three to vet you. They'll read your CV, and if it looks good, they'll click the link to your highlights. If the highlights are impressive, they'll cross-reference your history on Transfermarkt. Make sure all three are professional, up-to-date, and tell the same story.

Can I send a CV if I only have youth or amateur experience?

Yes, absolutely. The principles are the same. List your youth clubs, school teams, and any amateur or semi-pro teams you've played for. Detail the level (e.g., "Isthmian League Premier Division"), mention any cup runs, and list your stats. Coaches at higher levels want to see you've been a standout player at your current level.

How long should my football CV be?

One page. That's it. The only exception is if you're an experienced professional (over 28) with a long list of senior clubs. Even then, you should try to keep it to one page. Be concise. Nobody has time to read a three-page life story.

What if I don't have a coach to use as a reference?

This can be tricky, but you should always try to find someone. It could be a former youth coach, a director of a VEO-style academy you attended, or even a trusted senior player who can speak to your character and ability. A reference from five years ago is better than no reference at all, but always prioritize your most recent head coach.

Your CV is your first and most important marketing tool. Get it right, and you dramatically increase your chances of being taken seriously. Once your CV and highlight reel are polished and ready, you can start reaching out to clubs and agents. My Football Future is the place to find a global database of live trial opportunities, open contract listings, and verified agent contacts. '''