How can I join a football club without passing through an Academy? How can a break into any professional team without having qualifications?

These are ailing questions that bother the minds of so many young players across the world.

It is very much possible to play football professionally without passing through any football Academy or college or having qualifications.

So how can this be possible? We researched the various ways you can utilise without having any qualifications or passing through a college to become a Professional Footballer.

1. Attend open day trials

Open day trials are simply avenues for you to showcase yourself as an upcoming footballer without a club or having to sign up for any college.

Attend open day trials because scouts do place priority in these areas for picking up raw talents at the grassroots level.

The open day trials are not age-restricted. However, what they are looking out for is all about what you can offer and what makes you successful is your ability to impress scouts from different clubs in attendance.

The sessions could be paid for or free. However, the option you should prioritise is the paid one because your chances of getting picked are much higher than in free sessions.

Another reason to choose paid sessions is that more scouts are expected to be in attendance than in the accessible version of the open day trials.

2. Visit clubs during training hours

Another avenue to get closer to professional clubs is to visit during the club’s training hours. Find out how you can be part of the club by establishing contacts with some of the team’s handlers.

Show them what you can offer, and you could be invited for a proper trial session with the club within a short time frame.

Remember, before you attend any club trials, you have to prepare yourself well because it will help increase your chances of getting picked.

However, you can still break into the professional setup quickly without having to move to the development squad or any other options that could be decided on your behalf.

3. Attend training camps organised by professional clubs

Unlike open day trials, you can also attend a regular playground where scouts regularly visit.

How can you achieve this? You can create avenues for the latest information regarding trials, camps etc., within and outside your locality.

Whenever you have the luxury of attending these camps, do your best by making sure you establish communication channels with the peers you find there.

Even though you may not become successful in the first trial you attend, you’ll eventually perform better in subsequent ones.

4. Join a local team

Local teams are also one of the best places to start your Football career.

Local clubs give you more opportunity and time to play to your total capacity as an upcoming footballer.

They’re also avenues to gain more exposure and experience from the grassroots level.

People watching from the stands, some of which are club representatives, could be interested in meeting with you.

Another advantage of a local team is that it keeps you growing and increases your confidence level. It would help you overcome stage fright that could come at you during professional trials.

5. Participate in significant tournaments

Always ensure you are among those players on the team’s starting eleven.

Join a local team and participate in local football tournaments within and outside your locality.

In the search for professionalism, locals matter, and it is because you can not grow in places where there are little or no scouts visiting.

6. Sports Scholarships

Apply for scholarships that would help you secure a move abroad. A scholarship program enables you to learn more about your chosen sport.

Scholarships programs are similar to football Academies but operate differently.

As you enrol, professional clubs always send scouts regularly to monitor the best performing players that could get you invited.

7. Ask Club directly (knock on the doors of football clubs)

You can even go the extra mile to approach clubs directly and inform them about what you can offer to them as a player.

How to break into the first team of any football club

Train regularly

Regular training is one of the best ways to keep yourself fit. Train regularly and enhance your ability on the field of play.

Develop yourself in a particular role

Become a professional by taking up a particular position and working on it.

Learn how to be effective and how to become successful with it.

Devote time to your career

Although this is not a completely easy aspect, you should consider your career a top priority.

Exploit the weakness of the team

In any team you plan to break into, access the team to know where and what is lacking. Develop and train yourself to become that ideal option they need.

Conclusion

There’s an opportunity out there for everyone. Do your best and remain committed to your chosen career, and you will surely emerge triumphant in the nearest future.