BRACKNELL TOWN FC FOOTBALL TRIALS - BERKSHIRE - ENGLAND - UK
Under 18 Football Trials in Berkshire: Your Pathway to Success
For young footballers in Berkshire dreaming of a professional or semi-professional career, under-18 football trials offer a golden opportunity to showcase talent, impress scouts, and take the next step toward achieving their goals. With a vibrant football scene and access to top-tier clubs and academies, Berkshire is an ideal location for aspiring players to shine. This article explores the opportunities available for under-18 football trials in Berkshire, what to expect, how to prepare, and key tips to stand out.
Why Berkshire for Football Trials?
Berkshire boasts a rich footballing culture, home to clubs like Reading FC, Maidenhead United, and Bracknell Town, alongside a network of academies and grassroots clubs. The county's proximity to London and its well-connected transport links make it a hotspot for scouts from Premier League, Championship, and non-league clubs. Trials in Berkshire, such as those organized by local clubs or independent organizations like UK Football Trials and Premier Football UK, provide direct exposure to professional and semi-professional environments, offering pathways to academies, scholarships, or even first-team opportunities.
For under-18 players, trials in Berkshire are particularly significant because they often bridge the gap between youth and senior football. Clubs like Camberley Town, which compete in the prestigious Isthmian Youth League, emphasize player progression, with a proven track record of moving players from under-18 squads to first-team football.
Key Opportunities for Under-18 Trials in Berkshire
Several organizations and clubs in Berkshire offer trials tailored to under-18 players. Here are some notable opportunities:
1. Camberley Town FC
Camberley Town operates one of the most respected youth setups in the region, competing in the Isthmian Youth League and Allied Counties Youth League. Their trials, typically held annually (e.g., May 24, 2025, for the new season), are designed to identify talented players for their under-18 squads. The club emphasizes a professional mindset, with experienced coaches like Craig Green, who has overseen 95 players transitioning to the first team since 2011/12. Trials involve matches on 4G astro pitches, requiring appropriate footwear, shin pads, and black shorts and socks (shirts provided).
Key Features:
- Exposure to top-tier youth leagues.
- Pathway to senior football, with 8–9 players annually stepping up to the first team.
- Independent of educational programs, allowing flexibility for A-level students.
2. UK Football Trials
UK Football Trials, the world’s largest trials company, hosts events across the UK, including Berkshire, with a focus on connecting players to scouts from Premier League to semi-professional clubs. Their trials include 11v11 games where players are assessed for game effectiveness and positional versatility. A standout feature is their “IMPROVE MY FOOTBALL” online video series (£19.99), offering 10 hours of content on scout expectations, skill drills, and preparation tips.
Key Features:
- Scouts from 10+ clubs attend each event.
- Feedback and debrief sessions with coaches.
- Suitable for players aged 7–21, with under-18 sessions emphasizing adaptability.
3. Premier Football UK
Premier Football UK specializes in individual trials for players aged 7–21, with a strong presence in Berkshire. Their trials are designed to secure soccer scholarships or professional contracts, with success stories including players signed by Chelsea, Stoke City, and international clubs. Trials involve initial assessments, small-sided games, and full-scale matches to showcase skills and stamina.
Key Features:
- Access to a network of professional clubs across Europe.
- Opportunities for both male and female players.
- Focus on individual development and global exposure.
4. Local Clubs and Academies
Clubs like Ascot United, Burghfield FC, and Sandhurst Town regularly hold trials for under-18 players. These trials are ideal for players seeking to join competitive grassroots or semi-professional setups. Reading FC, a prominent Championship club, also offers trials, though they typically scout players through local matches rather than open applications. For specific trial dates, check with clubs directly or through platforms like Tony’s Soccer School, which lists opportunities across Berkshire.
5. Prep Schools’ Lions Trials
For younger players transitioning to under-18 football, the Prep Schools’ Lions trials at Wellington College (October 2025) offer a unique opportunity. While primarily for under-11 to under-13 players, these trials select players for ‘A’ and Development Squads, providing early exposure to high-level coaching and scouting.
What to Expect at Under-18 Football Trials
Most under-18 trials in Berkshire follow a structured format to evaluate players comprehensively:
- Registration and Warm-Up: Players register on arrival, followed by a briefing from organizers or coaches. Warm-ups focus on basic skills and physical readiness.
- Small-Sided Games: These assess teamwork, tactical awareness, and technical ability in high-pressure scenarios.
- 11v11 Matches: The main test, where players get 30–40 minutes to demonstrate game effectiveness, positional versatility, and football intelligence.
- Debrief and Feedback: Coaches provide insights on performance, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Some trials, like those by UK Football Trials, offer written feedback within 1–2 weeks.
- Scout Observation: Scouts from professional, semi-professional, and academy clubs attend, looking for standout moments, adaptability, and potential.
How to Prepare for Under-18 Trials
Success at trials requires preparation, both on and off the pitch. Here are essential tips to maximize your chances:
1. Physical Conditioning
- Fitness: Trials are physically demanding, so maintain high fitness levels through regular cardio, strength training, and agility drills.
- Nutrition: Follow a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Resources like the PFSA’s nutrition guides can help optimize performance.
2. Technical and Tactical Skills
- Versatility: Scouts value players who can adapt to multiple positions. Practice playing out of your preferred role to showcase football intelligence.
- Skills Drills: Use resources like UK Football Trials’ “IMPROVE MY FOOTBALL” series to refine dribbling, passing, and shooting.
- Game Awareness: Study match footage to understand positional responsibilities and tactical patterns.
3. Mental Preparation
- Confidence: Trials can be nerve-wracking, but focus on enjoying the experience. Pro11 Trials emphasizes creating a stress-free environment to help players perform.
- Resilience: Not every trial leads to immediate success. Use feedback to improve and keep applying to different opportunities.
4. Practical Preparations
- Equipment: Bring appropriate footwear (suitable for 4G or grass pitches), shin pads, and required clothing (e.g., black shorts and socks for Camberley Town trials).
- Documentation: Prepare a football CV with your date of birth, playing position, previous clubs, and representative honors. Include a fixture list if applying directly to clubs like Reading FC.
- Research: Check trial requirements and formats on club websites or platforms like Tony’s Soccer School.
Tips to Stand Out
- Showcase a ‘Wow’ Moment: Selectors look for exceptional moments, such as a precise pass, a strong tackle, or a clinical finish.
- Demonstrate Adaptability: Being able to play multiple positions is a key trait scouts seek in modern football.
- Display a Positive Attitude: Politeness, teamwork, and a strong work ethic leave a lasting impression.
- Leverage Technology: Some trials, like those with PFSA, use VEO’s AI-powered video analysis to record performances, allowing you to review and improve.
Challenges and Considerations
- Competition: Trials are highly competitive, with limited spaces. Book early to secure your spot, as advised by PFSA and Pro11 Trials.
- Age Restrictions: Players under 16 may face restrictions on signing with professional clubs, though they can still impress for future opportunities.
- Scouting Realities: Many clubs, like Tottenham Hotspur, do not hold open trials and prefer scouting through local matches. Persistence and playing at a high level locally increase your chances of being noticed.
How to Find Trials
- Club Websites: Check official sites for clubs like Camberley Town, Reading FC, or Maidenhead United for trial announcements.
- Trial Organizations: Register with UK Football Trials, Premier Football UK, or PFSA for professional trial events.
- Tony’s Soccer School: This platform lists trial opportunities across Berkshire, including specific clubs and age groups.
- Local Networks: Contact grassroots clubs or school coaches for nominations to trials like Prep Schools’ Lions.
Conclusion
Under-18 football trials in Berkshire are a gateway to turning your footballing dreams into reality. Whether you’re aiming for a professional academy, a semi-professional club, or a scholarship, the county’s vibrant football ecosystem offers unparalleled opportunities. By preparing thoroughly, showcasing versatility, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can make a lasting impression on scouts and coaches. Start your journey today by exploring trial opportunities with clubs like Camberley Town or organizations like UK Football Trials, and take the first step toward a rewarding football career.
For the latest trial dates and registration details, visit UK Football Trials, Premier Football UK, or Tony’s Soccer School. Good luck, and play with passion!
Applying for a Football Trial We at Tony's Soccer School strive to help players apply for trials at all football clubs and have massive success. Remember never give up and send a full football playing CV (Player History) using the details below. Please visit us regularly as football clubs send us the latest trials and places available at all ages. We receive many trials per day from clubs looking and offering trials. Players who want Football Trials at this club for all ages please continue to read on.... Football Trials Introduction Our Football Academy is being developed in order to invest in upcoming footballing talent and provide the network, coaching, health and lifestyle advice that each player needs to make a successful career in football. If you are looking for a career in football, and live in the our local catchment, then your best chance will be to join our fantastic Academy. The academy coaching team will be UEFA licence and members of the Football Association’s Licence Coaches Club. About this Football Club Academy The Academy will offer an advanced football development and education program supported by expert and dedicated staff. The Academy will use advanced technology and coaching methods to develop their players. We are actively looking for upcoming talent to join the academy, and will or can be selective about trialists. As part of our Academy philosophy we recognise our duty of care to support the community within projects and selected programmes. It is important that we can enable the academy to be within the heartbeat of the soccer community and share experiences with groups that the centre can support. Through our local relationships we will regularly observe players, games and school soccer and view this as a key aspect of identifying players for the Academy whilst transferring our knowledge and ability to the local community. As an Academy that will embrace a multidisciplinary approach we will take real pride in providing detailed individual support around the key roles in strength and conditioning. As part of our coaching programme players will receive regular guidance with components that support the overall physical demands for the developing player. This is seen through players in the maturation phase, specialised support, pre and post-performance. Our approach to the players understanding of dietary requirements, hydration, pre-hab and recovery is at the very heart of developing the person. These core values are key in the person understanding the demands of performance whilst progressing as a person. How to get a Football Trial at this Football Club & Academy Opportunities for open trials for players in all age groups do become available at various times, please remember can be based on player ability. Once the trials have been completed, you will have to be selected to have a trial at the Academy, so it is important that players are spotted in the right places at the right times. For some players, they prefer a direct approach sending in links to videos of themselves playing football, but it is worth bearing in mind that clubs receive thousands of these videos each week and simply don’t have time to watch them all and go about their daily business, so the most effective way of getting scouted for a trial at Academy is to join a local football club or School, playing football already is highly advised if you wish to progress to a higher level. Our scouts will regularly select young players from football schools, clubs and sessions and invite them to trial at the development centres for our Academy or teams, and anyone can play in their football schools so it offers an open door for all to get spotted. It is also particularly good planning to take your child to football schools as soon as they are old enough, so it enables them to develop their talents in line with the same level as their peers. 16+ and Adult playing opportunities for selected players to progress through the playing ranks, under the watchful eye of the Football Academy Scouts and Club Team Management. Syllabus at Our Football Academy The training program at this Academy will be broken into technical and tactical training, with a special module for Goalkeepers. The below demonstrates: Exploring the Future of Football at our Academy Bio-Banding is an innovative way of grouping young football players according to their physical maturity rather than their age has been demonstrated to show big benefits when it comes to spotting hidden talent and reducing injuries. Bio-banding is a strategy which has existed for a number of years but has only recently been trialled by clubs in the UK – groups players according to their maturity level. This means youth teams are mixed when it comes to ages, but roughly equal when it comes to how physically developed players are. It is designed to avoid the David and Goliath situation whereby a late developing child is pitched against an early developed child, who has an advantage in size and strength. Advocates suggest bio-banding should not completely replace traditional practices which group players by age. But they suggest bio-banding can be an additional coaching tool used to better identify and retain talented yet late maturing athletes and can expose early and late developers to new challenges and learning opportunities. The Football Academy at this Football Club is considered paramount to the club’s success and integral part of our football philosophy. Youth development is represented at board level through to our Academy Football Director. Our Football Mission We have adopted a strategy to develop and coach the whole person to be world class. This approach is adopted throughout the club, youth to senior first team, staff to player. This is with the aim to develop not just the footballer/athlete but a rounded positive person in the community. Our Football Academy will never consider itself finished or fully developed but consider its purpose to continually strive to set the standard of player support, and development (football, education and personal). Football Vision The academy vision is to produce players for the first team, year on year, with the technical ability on the field to compete at the highest level domestically, and internationally. The club will always hold the community close to its heart and therefore the off the field behaviour will set an exemplary standard in the community and nationwide. The club will play a type of football that is considered ‘attractive’ and technical based whilst demonstrating the club’s 7 Pillars. The academy will not be orientated on results but players will be expected to demonstrate the competitive behaviours and positive/growth mentality it takes to deal with the demands of professional football and life. NB: The Club understands that although the desired goal is to create world-class footballers, this goal may not be achieved by all in the system – fulfilling potential is the goal. Competitive environment for Football Trials Individual player focused delivery Technically driven excellence in Football Outstanding Football Player basics Coach football ability to support player development Reflection driven and Football Analysis Personal Football Player expectations How to get scouted by one of our Football Academy Scouts and get Football Trials? Our scouts will offer players the chance to trial. Many players are lucky enough to find themselves in the right places when scouts are watching games, but we are very aware that good talent can slip through the net, so the Academy will offer players the chances to directly contact them. To get scouted for a trial at our simply collect the following information: We will assess your application and decide whether or not to send a scout to watch the game, or contact you for further information. We cannot be held responsible for incorrect data on this website, if you do not receive a response then you have not met the criteria this time. Do not be disappointed, please search alternative clubs to apply for, come back in 6 months and apply again for this club. You may not have been accepted because the quota is full, so may not always be based on footballing history. Never spam a person or football club the information below is for registered members only and is private and must not be published or passed to anyone else, as they may apply for trials and get accepted. This is why information is protected to limit applications increasing your chance of being accepted. To remove incorrect information on our website please email this website directly. Good Luck. We have listed below in order the most effective way of obtaining at football trial at this football club. This is proven by our website members to be the best way they obtained a football trial at this particular football club. Good Luck! TOP RANKING ORDER ON HOW TO GET A FOOTBALL TRIAL AT THIS CLUB... Once you have collated all of the above information, please send to our Football Academy Manager via this address : Bracknell Town Academy Trials Send your football player CV Profile addressed to Football Academy Manager, include your Age Group and advise our Academy Director recommended you to email for trials Send your football player CV Profile by post addressed to Football Academy Manager Bracknell Town FC,7 Pillars of the Academy and Football Trial Opportunities
Larges Lane, Bracknell,
RG12 9AN
t: 01344 412305